1911 ejecting brass in my face

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PAC 762

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I have a problem with a Kimber Pro Carry II ejecting spent brass back in the shooters face. The gun was purchased new several years ago and has always had this problem. Initially it sent about 33% on spent brass back in the shooters face. It is an internal-extractor model like a standard 1911. It has about 500-1000 rounds through it. The recoil spring is original and feels to have almost the same pressure as my other pro carry that has brand new Wolf springs in it. The problem is experienced by all shooters who have shot the pistol, regardless of eye or hand dominance. Limp-wristing has been ruled out. Multiple brands of 230 grain hard ball have been tried, as well as light 200 grain LSWC target loads (.45ACP). I have owned five other 1911 style pistols and have never had this problem.

Below are details about my previous attempts to resolve the issue:
-Checked extractor for clocking. Extractor was firmly held in place and was not clocking.
-Installed a Wilson Performace extractor. I tuned it as instructed by various websites and installed it in the pistol. - No change in symptoms.
-Added a recoil buffer – No change.
-I took the original extractor and stoned the bottom of the extractor claw to further round it as described here: http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/0609.htm. I also increased the extractor tension on the cartridge. I installed the tweaked Kimber extractor and fired 4 rounds of 230 grn ball and 4 rounds of mild 200 grn LSWC loads. All 8 spent casings were directed into my face.

I initially did not notice any obvious dings or other abnormalities to the spent brass. However, on closer inspection, I just noticed that the spent cases fired today all have a tiny ding on the side of the case approximately 3/10” from the base of the case. I think that this is a result of the severe rearward ejection, but I’m not positive.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can try before I start stoning and/or replacing the ejector, or am I correct that this is the ejector is the next area that I need to focus on to resolve this problem?

Thanks,
PAC

ETA- I just noticed a couple of faint brass markings on the ejection port between the 1:00 and 2:30 positions.
 
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You can make various mods to the gun, and tie yourself down to one particular load, and the 1911-brass-in-the-face problem can sometimes be solved.

At least that's what I read on the internet.

Maybe its something to do with the way you hold the gun.
Maybe try holding it with your left hand, and use your right hand as a shield.

1911's of every stripe fling brass in my face like fourth-graders flinging boogers at a fat kid.
 
Thanks. Like I said, none of my other 1911's have this problem and I have had multiple other people shooting it to rule out operator error.
 
Check the ejector.

As I recall, the Kuhnhausen manual for the 1911 mentions that this problem can be caused by an ejector that is too long.
 
I found this on another site ( M1911.ORG ):

Well, I am sorry to say that it is most probably his extractor and not the ejector. To verify that, first remove the slide from the pistol and try inserting the rim of a round under the extractor hook, while at the same time you watch the rear of the slide, to see if the extractor turns at all. If it does (it's called clocking), then a new firing pin stop will fix the problem.

If it doesn't, then you should perform the Extractor test. With the slide off the pistol, insert a live round under the extractor hook. The round should droop a little but should stay there, even if you shake the slide slightly. It should fall off though, if you shake it vigorously.

You might want to try adjusting the tension of the extractor.
 
As I recall, the Kuhnhausen manual for the 1911 mentions that this problem can be caused by an ejector that is too long.

Thanks. I am pretty sure it's an ejector issue. I just wanted to make sure there are no other potential causes before I start tuning the ejector.

I found this on another site ( M1911.ORG ):

.....

You might want to try adjusting the tension of the extractor.

Thanks. The extractor tension is good and it is not clocking.
 
Did you install the extended ejector? The shorter barrel 1911s use the extended ejectors, not the "flat" type. I'm sure you beveled it like the other sites suggest as well (like an "arrow" point). Sometimes a slight angle on the ejector on the ejection port side also helps "steer" it to the port. If all of this was done already then I don't know what else you can do to the ejector. Perhaps the chamber is off just a touch to cause it to strike the ejector a little more center? Just a thought. Maybe a different barrel will correct that.
 
I certainly wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it was the ejector. I worked on a friends glock that was ejecting straight back, and all it took was a little bit of angle adjustment on the ejector.. problem solved.
 
The ejector is the stock Kimber one, which is extended but is not tuned as seen on this site: http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/ejector.html. It is just squared off like the ejectors on my other Kimbers.

I don't think the barrel is the problem, but I might try swapping with my other pro carry's barrel to make sure.

Assuming that doesn't work, I am going to slowly stone the ejector while testing frequently. Hopefully that will solve the problem. It seems to be the most probable culprit.
 
I welded and filed my ejector, as a final attempt, after an extractor R/R. That helped, but a new one fixed it. Before trying to figure this out, every round was whacking me in the forehead :cuss: and I couldn't concentrate YMPWV (prolly won't vary)
 
PAC 762 did you resolve this problem? I have a Kimber Pro with the same problem that developed along the same lines (a couple at first now more regular). If so what did you find the fix to be? Thanks
 
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