1911 Jamming - Need Helpful Opinions

[ir3e971]

I have a Springfield Armory 1911 that I am having a jamming problem with.

The problem only occurs with two magazines, a Checkmate hybrid and a Checkmate GI style. Both magazines are new, and have done this from the start. I bought several of these mags, and the others don't cause any problems.

This happens when about two rounds are left in the mags.

Is this a magazine issue? Can it be corrected with new springs?

I have swapped to another extractor, and tried several different spring weights to no avail.

Bullet is an MBC Softball seated at 1.235. The problem seems to disappear with FMJ bullets.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Zerodefect]

Looks like a double feed. Mag issue.

Try one of these:
http://www.trippresearch.com/store/store_1911.html

 

[1911Tuner]

Looks like the rounds are jumping the lips when the slide smacks the frame. Weak springs will cause that. Too much recoil spring will add to the tendency, but is rarely the sole cause. More likely to happen with short cartridge OAL...Less likely with longer.

Try a wolff 11-pound mag spring. Be sure to get the right one, and not the +5% Extra Power. 11-pound/7-round is the one you want for those magazines. If you haven't done so already...go back to the stock recoil spring.

 

[788Ham]

Maybe run some light lube in the mag body, helps the spring slide easier also.

 

[wally]

Maybe run some light lube in the mag body, helps the spring slide easier also.

I say no to this, it'll trap dirt/fouling and make things worse in the long run. Some times dry graphite will help a fundamentally flawed magazine design work acceptably, but generally clean and dry is your best bet for magazines.

 

[WC145]

If you just bought them call the manufacturer and tell them you want to exchange them for two that work.

 

[EddieNFL]

May as well trade it for a Glock. I've read elsewhere on the internet that 1911s are never reliable, require cleaning and adjustment every four or five rounds while the Glock will continue to operate flawless even if you never clean or lubricate.

 

[pollock28]

Nice contribution...

 

[ir3e971]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I will change out some springs.

EddieNFL - You are a hoot. Must be true if you read it on the internets.

 

[EddieNFL]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I will change out some springs.

EddieNFL - You are a hoot. Must be true if you read it on the internets.

And Glocks will pass through metal detectors, as well. That's always handy.

 

[neilin]

If those are the only two mags you are having the jams with, I do not think the gun is the problem. I would not use those two magazines.

 

[WC145]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I will change out some springs.

Hope you don't mind me asking, but why would you spend money on new springs for defective mags instead having the manufacturer make good on them? Especially if you have more of the same mag bought at the same time that work fine? That makes no sense to me.

 

[ir3e971]

WC145,

I am going to send an email to Checkmate to see what they will do to assist.

However, 1911Tuner also suggested dropping to a standard weight recoil spring. I think I will take his advice. I also have four older Shooting Star and one Nighthawk custom mags that I would like to replace the springs in. These mags have been used and shot a lot for about 4 years and are probably about due.

Just want to get the pistol back to being reliable.

 

[ohwell]

Check the extractor tension to, but it just may be the bullet profile. My little compact micro once every few mags will jam on the last round left in the mag with WWB hollow points and pdx1's, But FMJ, Hornady xtp's and Hornady Critical Defense all run perfect. Ive put Wilson followers and springs in my mags a wilson combat extractor a Kimber recoil assemby with 19lb Colt Defender springs and did some polishing and I still have the occasional jam with that profile bullet. You may just need to change what you use for ammo.

 

[jgiehl]

Here's my two cents on the issue...

May as well trade it for a Glock. I've read elsewhere on the internet that 1911s are never reliable, require cleaning and adjustment every four or five rounds while the Glock will continue to operate flawless even if you never clean or lubricate.

I suppose I'll throw myself under the bus and take it off your hands.

 

[Drail]

I would look at recoil spring (too heavy) magazine spring (weak) and extractor tension and hook shape. Or just trade it for a Glock. (just kidding)

 

[ir3e971]

jgiehl, I appreciate the offer to take the pistol off of my hands. However, I will hold onto it for now. It has been a consistent favorite.

 

[mister2]

Just want to get the pistol back to being reliable.

The problem seems to disappear with FMJ bullets.

Well, you've found your temporary solution!

 

[earplug]

Smash magazines with a rock

I had a long relationship with some magazines that kept having problems with my Colt.
I saw the light one day after they choked during a match. Place each one on a flat rock and smash it with a round rock.
Sometimes it just isn't worth the aggravation to live with a bad magazine.
Do a happy dance after your done and the twenty to thirty dollars spent will go away.

 

[racky]

here's my jam-o-matic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY58lD5c9u0

 

[gazpacho]

Don't fix the mags.

Mark the bottom of the mag so that you can easily identify them. When you want to practice failure drills, mix them in with good mags. Start shooting, and the bad mags will give you a "reliable" failure to practice with, but when randomly mixed with good mags, it will give you an unpredictability to your practicing.

 

[Leviathan5964]

That is one of the best suggestions I have read in ages.