1911, seeking wisdom

[WLE]

Several weeks ago I purchased and new S&W 1911 Stainless steel. When I went to fire the first round I incurred a light primer strike and the gun did not discharge after several tries it finially discharged and the bullets would not chamber properly had several jambs. I returned it for repair, new barrel was installed an supposedly everthing checked out. My and concern is as follows. With the magizine full I chamber and eject the round I notice on the rim of the case indentations deep enough to catch my finger nail. Is there an acceptable amount of indentation or should there be no signs or marks. Is there any need for concern. I have not shot yet since the repair. My experience is with revolvers. I am just starting to learn about the autos and I am loving it, I got the fever. I have learned so much on this site and appreciate the Camaraderie.

 

[Steve C]

Extractor marks on the case rim are almost always there to some extent and that depends upon the extractor, its tension, etc. Nothing to worry about. Make sure to always chamber a round from the magazine. Dropping a round in the chamber and then closing the slide forces the extractor to snap over the rim putting extra pressure on the part that can cause a broken or chipped extractor. From the magazine the rim of the case usually slides behind the extractor on its way to the chamber.

 

[WLE]

Will the marks diminish as the gu wears in?

 

[MT GUNNY]

Is the mark a Straight Line about 4MM long on the face of the shell. If so Its a Machining Error, I Like it cuz it gives me a Indication of how many time I have used that Cartridge.

 

[WLE]

The mark is on the outer rim circumference.

 

[WLE]

Also, the mark is in the inner groove of the rim.

 

[Lonestar49]

Will the marks diminish as the gu wears in?

...

I would think so, as the tightness/tolerance is at its strongest from NIB.. And it should, normally, lose a bit of its strong bite, over time/use.

So long as she's feeding fine and shooting (using good ammo) as cheaper ammo may have weak primers, or not enough powder, which will show up as you have seen, no boom, or weak charge and the timing will be off and she won't cycle cleanly..

Luck,


Ls

 

[Jim K]

It sounds like extractor marks as the extractor snaps over the rim and its tip digs into the extraction groove. Those marks can be lessened with a bit of stoning and by installing a lighter extractor spring. The problem is that fooling around with the extractor could result in less positive extraction/ejection and affect reliability.

I suggest firing the gun and seeing what happens before deciding if there is a problem. FWIW, those marks usually mean nothing and don't affect the case for reloading.

Jim

 

[Cloudpeak]

I think most would agree that it's desirable to chamber a round from the magazine, not load a round in the chamber and drop the slide (if that's what you're doing.) Snapping the extractor hook over the case rim on a chambered round is considered poor form and, if you ever happen to have a jammed firing pin (pin stuck forward of the breechface), could lead to a slam fire. Also considered bad form to drop the slide without picking up a round from the mag unless testing for hammer follow.