Ejecting problems on the SA 1911 GI

[GarandOwner]

I recently got a 1911 GI from Springfield Armory, and I have one major problem with it. Every couple of rounds will smack me in the face when ejected. Is there any kind of aftermarket extractor I can buy to replace the stock one that will help give me a better ejection pattern? Or am I stuck dodging casings as they eject?

 

[chopinbloc]

i used to have a ruger p90 that would smack me right in the middle of the forehead with a spent case on the last round fired. i actually kinda liked that because the pistol was, at the time, my only gun and therefore both my carry piece and my hd piece. i figured that if i forgot to reload under stress, the smack upside the head would remind me it only did it on the last round and it did it about 95% of the time on the last round.

 

[rbernie]

The ejection pattern for a pistol can be influenced by the recoil spring as much as it is by the shape of the ejector itself, since the spring sets up the 'timing' of the whole process. In my 1911's, I can usually tell when the recoil spring is getting tired because the ejection pattern will start to move from 3-4 o'clock to 5-6 o'clock. Were I you, I'd probably try installing a slightly stronger-than-stock Wolff recoil spring first and see what that does. It's rare that an ejector is just fundamentally misshaped from the factory....

 

[Furncliff]

By the way you word your post, this sounds like a new gun? Contact Springfield perhaps?

 

[Silent Bob]

Some of the Springfield G.I. ejectors have been known to be out-of-spec, but the main culprit in your case in most likely the extractor "clocking" (turning slightly) in its tunnel and/or loose extractor tension. Rectifying either/both of these will help the ejection pattern, but it will probably still occur occasionally, due to the gun's narrow ejection port. Plus a Wolff or Wilson 16lb recoil spring may help, as Springfield ships G.I.s with a weak (like 14lb) recoil spring.

 

[GarandOwner]

Thanks guys. I will try ordering a new recoil spring and see if that helps since the Extractor would require a more indepth repair. It is a new gun, but from what I gather this ejection pattern is common to the SA GI model so I doubt they would do anything if i sent it back. Since nothing is technically broken. It does just have the stock recoil spring on it. Also does anyone know how it would effect the function of the pistol if i decided to go with a stronger spring. Say the 19lb-20lb range. I have seen springs made by wolff for sale that go up to 21lbs. I am fairly new to pistol shooting and would apreciate any advice anyone can give as to what each spring is better for. (If it matters I only shoot full metal jacketed 230 grain ammo)

 

[middy]

I would stick with the 16 lb spring.

The ejectors on the GIs are out of spec. Have a gunsmith put a standard Colt ejector on it (this is what Teddy Jacobsen told me). While you're at it, have him put a machined steel extractor in it as well (and a sear, and a hammer, and then a trigger job...)

 

[Old Fuff]

Welcome to the High Road.

We have a lot of past information available concerning your Springfield Armory pistol. You are by no means the only one with the problem you described.

Go to the forum "Search" feature, and use the key words "Tuner" "Extractor" and "Springfield" or "Springer" in any combination. You will soon learn a lot.

It is most likely that the extractor (and possibly extractor-to-firing pin stop fit) is causeing most of the problem. The ejector can also play a part in the issue. It can be solved however.

Do not put in an extra heavy recoil spring. It will cause more problems (some serious) then it will solve.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

+1 wid Ole Fuff. Be careful when you listen to tips on this thread because the shotgun approach to fix one problem, leads you to looking at the whole forest instead of at the trees. Everyone is well intentioned and there are a ton of tips. Personally I love to rip apart 1911s and fine tune em and smooth em out and most of the stuff I learned was on The High Road. Wish it were around when I had a 1911 in 1984 I wouldn't have had to suffer that god awful trigger pull.