Doom on Me

[pyrotechnic]

I went shooting today, and my USP45 was jamming everytime I would put more than 4 or 5 rounds in the mags (hi-cap). I had it jam a couple of days earlier and figured my reloads (230gr FMJ) were a bit long and shortened them up a bit, but when I tested them at the new OAL I didn't load up a full mag. I started mass production of the rounds and now that I went shooting today I have problems.

When the rounds jam the nose will hit the top of the back of the chamber and the bottom of the slide will nail the case just a little foreward of the rim, jamming the round. Sometimes the rounds wouldn't even be stripped out of the magazine. Once there were only 4-5 rounds in the mag the problems would stop.

I think this is a magazine problem, but I'am new to this. *** can I do about it? Has anybody had the same problem and what did you do to makee makee all better?

Also, my reloads are pretty hot, 990 fps with the 230gr pill, would a stiffer recoil spring maby help with reliability?

Thanks and sorry for the long post,
Maarten

 

[pyrotechnic]

Had this happen with both magazines btw

 

[Majic]

Also, my reloads are pretty hot, 990 fps with the 230gr pill, would a stiffer recoil spring maby help with reliability?

It does sound like the slide is moving to fast to strip the round out of the mag properly. First try some factory level loads to see if the problem stops. If it does then get a heavier recoil spring for your hot loads.
Semi-autos are not like revolvers. Get outside of the parameters and you have to make adjustments (like the springs) to keep them running properly. If it did feed with your hot loads then you could also have had problems of the pistol unlocking early or battering of the frame. There is a designed speed at which that slide should run.

 

[pyrotechnic]

Im gonna load up some factory powered stuff in a little bit to try. If it turns out that a stiffer recoil spring is in order would I still be able to fire factory ammo with the aftermarket spring?

Thanks,
Maarten

 

[pauli]

that depends on how much stiffer the new spring is.

 

[1911Tuner]

Jam

Sounds like a classic bolt-over-base to me. The slide is outrunning the magazine. The fix is a new mag spring in most cases.

 

[pyrotechnic]

I ran a full magazine of lower power rounds through the gun without a hitch while the full power rounds still jammed. So now it looks like ive go two options:

Reduce the powder charge, or get a stiffer spring along with some +10% mag springs.

I'd like to try to fill my white tail doe tag with my USP this year so im leaning towards getting a spring that allows me to shoot my hot reloads while still being able to shoot factory fodder and lighter reloads.

I looked at Wolff's website and they make increased power springs of 14,16,18, and 20 pounds, factory is 13 pounds.

Any recommendations on what to do?


Thanks,
Maarten

 

[Preacherman]

Pyrotechnic, your reloads are WAY over pressure!!! 990 fps with a 230gr. projectile is far too hot for .45 ACP, even in a +P loading. You're at about +p+++ with that lot - more like a .45 Super!

 

[Whatsit]

Luckily, the USP can handle .45 SUPER loads

 

[pyrotechnic]

Here is what I think I'll do. I'm going to tone my loads down a bit for normal shooting and home defense, but order a stiffer spring. Come hunting season I'll load up some of my +P+++++++ rounds

Thanks for the help guys,


Maarten

 

[pyrotechnic]

oh yeah, what power spring would you guys recommend? I think 16 or 18 pounds, but have no idea. It has to function with standard ammunition.

Regards,
Maarten

 

[Sunray]

"...my reloads are pretty hot..." Your loads are over max. What manual did you use? What powder and how much?
The hottest load my manual gives for a 230 grain jacketed bullet is 7.2 grains of Unique at 960fps.
"...Luckily, the USP can handle .45 SUPER loads..." Whoopee, but the pistol still doesn't function. A standard .45 ACP isn't a .45 Super.
"...Any recommendations on what to do?..." Yep. Buy a loading manual and follow it religiously. In any case, hunting anything with an FMJ is illegal. And the .45 ACP is mediocre for deer.

 

[pyrotechnic]

Sunray sir,
I know my loads are over max. I worked up to them in small increments to make sure I didn't blow myself up. However, since I would shoot 4 shot groups I didn't have any feeding problems. I have 2 in-depth manuals and several small booklets from powder manufacturers. The load is 6.6gr of Hodgdon's Universal under either a 230gr FMJ or XTP.

As for shooting a deer with a FMJ being illegal, where do you live? In any case I was planning on using the XTP rounds. I'm also only 16 if you want to rag on me about that.

Whoopie!!
Maarten

 

[Powderman]

I know my loads are over max.

Fella, a bit of advice, if I may.

DECREASE YOUR LOAD. Your gun MIGHT handle it. The cases almost assuredly will not.

The .45 ACP is designed to do its job with a 230 grain ball round, moving at or around 830 to 850 fps. Anything more than that is overkill, and most likely will not make a bit of difference on target.

You are battering your pistol unnecessarily, too. Breakage or pistol failure is almost a certainty with your load. Why chance it? Drop the load within safe levels.

If you want a high performance load, try a starting load of 7.8 to 8.0 grains of Power Pistol under a 185 grain bullet. Very accurate, lots of power. A bit flashy, but that's ok.

Again, DECREASE THE LOAD. For your own safety.