Colt Series 70: How's it Eat Hollows?

[RogersPrecision]

Old Fuff.
You have spoken like a true gentleman. Thank you.
And I agree with the fact that in many instances, more harm is done than good.
I would advise our readers to thoroughly investigate a gunsmith before commisioning him for ANY work on ANY firearm. Also, if and when possible, always choose a 1911 smith for work on a 1911. Unspecializing general gunsmiths are valuable and vanishing assets, but few have the esoteric tools and skills for performing top class 1911 work.

 

[Tomecek]

Apologies to revive an old thread, folks, but from the handloader's perspective. I'm loading 147 Gr. Golden Sabers for my Series 70 combat commander and they're having trouble feeding. Any suggestions? Is it a problem with that style of JHP in your experiences, or is there an overall length that would be ideal? I'm using factory mags.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I assume your Commander is in 9mm?

There are several reasons they might not feed well:

Rough ramp and throat. The cure here is polishing

Poor crimp -- try a taper crimp die if you're not using one now.

Wrong overall length. Try longer and shorter OAL (and adjust the powder charge for shorter loads.)

Magazine problems -- try different magazines.

 

[Tomecek]

It is a .38 Super, actually.

I appreciate the suggestions, I think it is an issue of OAL, will try and see what happens.

How can one tell if it is a polish issue, if I may ask?

 

[HighExpert]

As one who screwed up a perfectly good 70 Series GoldCup I can tell you that ramp polishing is not a job to try on your own unless you have a competent gunsmith looking over your shoulder. I got mine repaired and actually improved by sending it to Les Baer who installed a ramped barrel and accurized it to give me 1.5" groups at 50yds. it is now a great gun.

 

[golden]

No hydro shok

My last model 70 series Government Model would not feed HYDRO SHOK ammo, but would shoot the WINCHESTER White Box hollow point. It is just a matter of finding which one it will shoot and then which one fits your need.

I find REMINGTON ammo is usually a very reliable feeder as well. In the non-Golden Sabre rounds, it tend not to expand as well as other hollow points like the HYDRO SHOK.

Jim