failure to feed

[gb0399]

While test firing my fathers FN M1900 for a problem he stated was a failure to eject, it was actually a failure to feed. The first round chambered manually and fired with out a problem. The second round did one of two things, either it stood straight up between the bolt face and the chamber or it lodged at an angle with the tip at the top of the chamber with the slide resting against the rim of the cartridge half way forward. There is one more thing.. the magazine DOES NOT seem to seat fully. The magazine catch allows magazine to come back out a millimeter or two but is still fully engaged.
As I see it the magazine seems to be the culprit. Either the spring is weak, or the magazine is not seating far enough into the mag well. But then again I could be way off. Has any one seen similar things or got an idea whats going on?

 

[rcmodel]

Did you try holding the magazine up all the way and shooting the gun?

That should tell you right off if it is a worn magazine or magazine catch causing the problem.

Ideally, you should try a second good magazine and see if that cures the problem.
Just not too sure where you could get one for a 1900 FN pistol!


rcmodel

 

[gb0399]

I did try holding the magazine and it didn't seem to help. I found a couple of places that sell magazines and I think that will be the easiest place to start.

 

[Jim K]

The only magazines available today for that gun are repros and may not work any better, but it does sound like that is the problem. Frankly, I suggest retiring that gun; if in good condition they have respectable collector value that will reduced if anything breaks.

Jim

 

[Sunray]

The mag lips are likely damaged. Sounds like the rear of the lip isn't releasing the cartridge properly. You can fiddle with the lips using fine needled nosed pliers or just find another mag. Gunparts lists 7 round mags for the .32ACP Browning 1900(same thing) at $33.60 each.

 

[rcmodel]

If he is getting stove-pipe loaded rounds as he stated, the front of the feed-lips are releasing too soon. The rear is probably fine.

They need to maintain control of the round at the front until the bullet nose is safely started almost into the chamber on most guns.


rcmodel

 

[gb0399]

I guess I'll mess with the mag lips as it will be the fastast and easiest thing to try first. Either way, I'm still going to order a new magazine.