1911 jam issue

[xmanpike]

I have a Colt Gold Cup Trophy 1911 that works fairly well except that when I am racking the slide to chamber the first shell in a magazine I have to rack slide all the way back and release from the farthest point for the shell to load correctly. If I try to slowly chamber a round the slide locks up on the back of the first shell. It is not really a jam as the shell never even leaves the Mag. Is this normal? I have read repeatedly to not even consider a ramp and throat job, maybe i should change to stronger Wolff springs?

Any help woudl be appreciated.

 

[JimJD]

Nice pistol, sorry to hear about the issue.
Is this a new one, or used?
Does this happen with all of your magazines in the same pistol?

 

[weisse52]

If the slide is locked with slide lock and you just release via slide lock does it pickup the shell or jam?

Slowly easing the slide will give unpredictable results. To be honest I am not sure I have ever even tried that.

 

[xmanpike]

It is a brand new pistol, and yes happens with all mags. I have a Colt 7 rd, colt 8 rd, and Kimber 8 rd.

 

[xmanpike]

If the slide is locked and I release with slide lock the round chambers just fine. I only run into the problem when I try to slowly chamber a round, or I dont have the slide completely back.

 

[weisse52]

Well, I could be wrong. But I was always taught to either pull all the way back and let go, or release from the slide lock.

Just do not think you can really ease the slide down to pick up a round properly.

Any reason why you are attempting to load your Colt in this fashion?

 

[xmanpike]

Well originally wasn't, and normally would never, but it started when I went to rack a shell and apparently didnt pull all the way back. Thats the first time I noticed it. Also if I am not careful to let the slide move forward freely (like if it touches my hand at all) then the same thing happens.

 

[weisse52]

I will let the real 1911 turners jump in.

If you do not pull all the way back I am fairly sure you could have an issue that you mention. I am puzzled by the comment that if your hand touches the slide it will have a problem. So, if you release via slide stop and your thumb drags the slide it will not pickup a round?

 

[xmanpike]

No not in that instance. but say I rack the slide with an overhand grip and as it moves forward it brushes my hand, then it causes the issue. Basically the slide has to be fully pulled back and untouched as it moves forward. It isnt a huge issue, but have shot other 1911's that fed much better. I have tried other bullets as well and nothing changes. Maybe just need to wear things in? Only about 300 rounds through her right now.

 

[weisse52]

I think I am going to play with my Colts tomorrow and see I if I can replicate.

At one time I think they used a little lighter recoil spring in the Gold Cups, not sure that is the case anymore.

If you do not get any more information here, try this site. It is all things 1911

http://forum.m1911.org/

 

[Kman]

Thats normal, nothing wrong, If the gun is loading from the "slide-lock" being released thats perfect. If anything hampers the movement of the slide going foreward you WILL have problems.

 

[xmanpike]

All good to know. Thanks for all your help guys. Just wanted to make sure it was normal.

Weisse let me know what you find out with your 1911's. MY gun came with 2 springs a normal (*which is in) and a lighter spring for lighter target ammo.
thanks

 

[Trailer]

Hi ,
I purchased my first SA 1911-A1 4/09 and jammed with the first round . A light push on the slide and it went to place . I was soooo disappointed . Maybe I was not supposed to mess with it , but I took some Dental gold crown polishing stuff and polished the ramp and lower edge of barrel feed area . Looks like it is chromed and has been fantastic ! I LOVE this gun ! Gonna wear it out just holding it and looking at it . Also have a wonderful Colt 1911 that I love .
trailer

 

[Walkalong]

Thats normal, nothing wrong

I disagree. Well, maybe for a really tight gun I guess, maybe.

 

[Deanimator]

Man - "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."
Doctor - "Then don't do that."

You are creating a "problem" that I've been seeing since I first picked up an M1911 in the 1970s. Beginning M1911 users often do what you're doing. It usually causes a misfeed.

Either fully retract the slide and let it go or use the slide release. That's what you're supposed to do.

 

[CWL]

I only run into the problem when I try to slowly chamber a round, or I dont have the slide completely back.

This isn't an "issue" at all, it is an owner-induced malfunction.
Why would you want to do that? A pistol doesn't need to be 'babied', it is an instrument of war.

While a Gold Cup is going to need breaking-in because it is manufactured to higher tolerances, you are not supposed to chamber your pistol in this manner because it may cause the exact sort of lock-up you are describing. You are supposed to chamber a round by either releasing the slide lock or by the "slingshot" method.

Let the weight of the slide and spring action shove that bullet in, the way it was designed. Look at the section "loading, firing, unloading" in your Owners Manual.

 

[10-Ring]

All feeding issues I've ever encountered w/ 1911 have been resolved using Wilson mags -- they're all I use & all i recommend.

 

[jocko]

If u creep the slide back on any semi, you willget feed issues. It is not designed to do that. It needs the velocity the same all the time. That iswhy the slide lock lever is the best thing to use, as it indeed deos release with the same velocity every time.

If it works with the slide lock release and not when you try to hand rack it, then it is you and not the gun.

 

[xmanpike]

Thanks for all the input. I understand that it shouldn't feed now when i try to slowly work it. It works perfect from slide lock and just fine if I "slingshot it". I appreciate everyone's help. Are Wilson Mags really that reliable compared to everything else out there?

 

[Kruzr]

Do you have the full power recoil spring in your gun? Gold Cups come with two springs, a shorter lighter one for target loads and a full power spring for factory loads. Make sure you have the full power spring in the gun unless you are shooting Bullseye type soft loads.

 

[sohcgt2]

It should feed with finger tip pressure when the recoil spring is removed and speed should not have any thing to do with it. Its a machine, it doesn't know how to tell time or care how fast the slide is moving.

 

[xmanpike]

I have the full power spring in it right now.

Sohcgt2, youre saying if i remove the spring i should be able to feed a shell with little pressure?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Ease the slide empty, slam it loaded. The action is designed to work at full speed when chambering a round. Let the slide run forward under the full spring pressure without retarding its movement, either by releasing the slide stop with the slide locked back, or by forcefully pulling it rearward, completely releasing it and letting it fly forward.

 

[Dan Crocker]

Throw away that piece of 20th century garbage and get a real gun. :-D

 

[Shimitup]

Indeed as has been stated it is designed to be to yanked back and let go but I must admit to liking it to drop in with little friction. A little experiment to find out if a big part of it is the magazine lips is to put one round in the magazine and see if it will chamber by the gentle method. My guess is that it probably will due to the mag spring being so relaxed. It never hurts to take the tip of your finger, push the follower down and polish the inside of the magazine lips a bit with some extra fine silicon carbide abrasive paper.