1911 Bbl

[45auto]

Just recently, the last 200 rounds in my 45 ACP Colt bbl I've noticed a elongated raised portion on the fired brass, one side. Looking at bbl chamber I now see a depression in the chamber with the same shape.

If I described it clearly, any ideas on the cause and/or remedy?

Loads are moderate, should be around 170 power factor, 200 gr SWC of various makes. The only change I've made in the last 1,000 rounds of so has been using Clays powder, still within the moderate limits and tried some of the moly coated bullets.

Thanks for the help.

Maybe this should have gone in the gunsmithing section.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Dismount the barrel and inspect the lug -- the lug is pulling down, and creating a depression in the chamber. The cure is a new barrel -- and a stronger recoil spring to protect the new barrel.

 

[45auto]

Just did that and you are right.
There is a crack, hard to see, in the bbl lugs.

Something tells me that's not the first time you've seen that!


Thanks for you help and quick reply.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Experience is the best teacher.

 

[ulflyer]

45Auto: can you take a pic of the defects? Would sure like to see what they look like.

 

[45auto]

ulflyer:

Sorry, I don't have a digital camera.

Pretty easy to spot the problem on the fired case, then looking at an identical "depression" in the bbl chamber. Probably an 1/8-1/4" wide and similiar length coming to rounded point...teardrop almost. This is at the end of the chamber under the lugs, not in front. Meaning the brass is deformed where the bullet is/was, not in the rear like a lack of case support.

Hard to see the crack in the lugs, but probably would have been much easier the next time I went out shooting since it may have seperated from the bbl. I saw the first "raised" casing about 150 rounds ago and thought, perhaps, it was defective brass. Today, I saw about 20-30 problem casings and stopped counting.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Hard to see the crack in the lugs, but probably would have been much easier the next time I went out shooting since it may have seperated from the bbl.

You betcha it would be easier to see -- the slide would be locked in battery, and all the force you could muster wouldn't open it.

I now keep a foot long 3/8" steel rod in my kit.

 

[Jim Watson]

I had EXACTLY the same problem last month. Sent the barrel back to Briley and they replaced it at no charge, with the usual weasel words that it wasn't their fault but the gunsmith's. Hmm, why'd they replace it then? I have had no problem with Kart and Wilson barrels installed by the same guy. Oh, well, the gun is back in action now.

 

[45auto]

I've already been "exposed" to Colt's very limited lifetime warranty, so I won't be sending the gun back to Colt for a "No". Each "No" is about $80 in shipping!

Besides, it has over 30,000 rounds through it. Still, it shouldn't happen IMHO.
I used to brag about Colt's bbl fit.