I just got a new SW1911PD Tactical Rail Series this week. I finally got the chance to try it out today and put 50 rounds through it. Out of that 50 I had about 15 feed failures resulting in jamming. This was normally on the first round out of the (factory)mag and then a couple of times half way through it. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, what did you do to alleviate the problem? I'm hoping there's something I can do without sending the gun back to S&W. Any and all help will be appreciated.
help with feeding issues on S&W 1911
- Thread starter jason1173
- Start date
- Status
XavierBreath
Member
Try another magazine. You might have just gotten a bad mag, or it might not be seating properly. If that doesn't get it, I'd advise warranty service. 15 out of 50 is a lot.
Mainsail
Member
Even if it's the first 50?XavierBreath said:
XavierBreath
Member
On a SW1911, properly lubricated and sprung, I would think so.
There's nothing wrong with continuing to shoot the gun to see if it will iron itself out. That's probably what I would do, along with a mag change.
Is the round failing to seat? Nosediving? How many rounds are you placing in the magazine? Is the extractor hook clean?
There's nothing wrong with continuing to shoot the gun to see if it will iron itself out. That's probably what I would do, along with a mag change.
Is the round failing to seat? Nosediving? How many rounds are you placing in the magazine? Is the extractor hook clean?
Gordon
Member
Try a new Wilson 7D mag and see if it does it.
Gee... mine just says "Government Model" in small letters on the side of the slide. Got it back in '52. Shot fine out of the box without a bobble using factory magazines - because there weren't any other kind except USGI surplus left over from World War Two. It still has the same magazines, and it still shoots fine, although now it's had plenty of breaking in...
But then it doesn't have a tactical rail nowhere...
Like X-Breath said, it comes with a warantee, and they pay for the postage both ways. So use it, and let them fix their own mess. If you start fooling with it and make the wrong "adjustment," you may void the warantee.
As for the cause... I suspect the extractor.
X-Breath, its failing to seat. The bullet is trying to enter the chamber and the back of the casing doesn't seem to be coming up high enough before the slide returns. I started off putting 8 rounds in the mag and then went to 7 and then 6 with no better luck. I won't have time during the week but this weekend I think I will try some differnt ammo and a mag change to see if that helps.
Excellent point Old Fluff. If the ammo and new mag doesn't help I am going to send it back to S&W.
This is really disappointing. I'd been eyeing this pistol for a couple of months and finally decided that it would make a great bday/christmas present to myself
D). Its just frustrating. I do appreciate all the responses and advice.Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I think the change to Wilson magazines will solve this problem~!
Jim Watson
Member
Might do, Dan, but it seems reasonable to expect a gun to work with the magazine furnished by the factory.
The problem has been discussed many times. It might be a rough breech face or bad extractor fit; then it might be an undersized chamber or a sharp edge on the chamber mouth. It might be the magazine after all and you would come out ahead to try another before going to the trouble of returning it to Smith.
S&W has good customer service in the modern definition. That is, they are willing to sell you a defective product and then make you think they are doing you a favor by fixing it. They will, of course, add the cost of the Fedups ripoff and the warranty clerk's time to next year's gun prices.
The problem has been discussed many times. It might be a rough breech face or bad extractor fit; then it might be an undersized chamber or a sharp edge on the chamber mouth. It might be the magazine after all and you would come out ahead to try another before going to the trouble of returning it to Smith.
S&W has good customer service in the modern definition. That is, they are willing to sell you a defective product and then make you think they are doing you a favor by fixing it. They will, of course, add the cost of the Fedups ripoff and the warranty clerk's time to next year's gun prices.
Spartacus451
Member
This. Except I think it is already included in the existing price. S&W is doing quite well as a publicly traded company.
They pay overnight shipping both ways no questions asked and the turn around time is usually two weeks. Call them up and ask for a shipping label.
10X
Member
You were given some good advice by XavierBreath.
There are three things that commonly cause feeding problems in a 1911, magazines, too much extractor tension and bad ammo. There are other things that could cause it all the way from rough feed ramps, rough breech faces to out of spec frames. Start with the easiest first.
With all the various specifications or lack of specification with new 1911 production, magazines can be a real problem. There are two things I suggest you do, first get a heavier spring for the magazine from Wolff Gun Springs and, if that doesn't help, find a magazine that has hybrid feed lips. The hybrid feed lips are tapered and then have a more gradual flair. Genuine Colt 7 round (not 8 round) mags do this and Check Mate Industries has both 7 and 8 rounders that have hybrid lips. From recent personal experience I have had 1911s that would not feed well at all, but completely changed into reliable guns by lessening the extractor tension and using the hybrid feed lip mags.
I believe the S&Ws use an external extractor so it is a bit of a different animal than a Colt or GI 1911 to adjust. If the spring or mag change doesn't help send it back to S&W.
There are three things that commonly cause feeding problems in a 1911, magazines, too much extractor tension and bad ammo. There are other things that could cause it all the way from rough feed ramps, rough breech faces to out of spec frames. Start with the easiest first.
With all the various specifications or lack of specification with new 1911 production, magazines can be a real problem. There are two things I suggest you do, first get a heavier spring for the magazine from Wolff Gun Springs and, if that doesn't help, find a magazine that has hybrid feed lips. The hybrid feed lips are tapered and then have a more gradual flair. Genuine Colt 7 round (not 8 round) mags do this and Check Mate Industries has both 7 and 8 rounders that have hybrid lips. From recent personal experience I have had 1911s that would not feed well at all, but completely changed into reliable guns by lessening the extractor tension and using the hybrid feed lip mags.
I believe the S&Ws use an external extractor so it is a bit of a different animal than a Colt or GI 1911 to adjust. If the spring or mag change doesn't help send it back to S&W.
First you buy a new gun...
But the new gun doesn't work...
So you come to The High Road seeking advise....
And folks say, "You should try this," or "You should buy that..."
Why should you have to buy anything? You are made of money, already????
Smith & Wesson are the one's who messed up, not you. When you buy most guns you have a reasonable expectation that they'll work, and do so out-of-the-box.
If other companies can make other pistols that work - out of the box - then shouldn't yours work too?
And if anyone is going to spend any money to make this gun work it should be S&W, not you.
Right??? :banghead:
But the new gun doesn't work...
So you come to The High Road seeking advise....
And folks say, "You should try this," or "You should buy that..."
Why should you have to buy anything? You are made of money, already????
Smith & Wesson are the one's who messed up, not you. When you buy most guns you have a reasonable expectation that they'll work, and do so out-of-the-box.
If other companies can make other pistols that work - out of the box - then shouldn't yours work too?
And if anyone is going to spend any money to make this gun work it should be S&W, not you.
Right???
:banghead:Spartacus451
Member
I don't think any company makes guns that work out of the box for a decent round count with any sort of regularity but has just been my experience.
10X
Member
Old Fuff, the message here is that there are a lot of manufacturers that don't build 1911s to proper spec. There are way too many defective guns leaving the factory. Until consumers refuse to buy them, the companies will continue to build them.
mpmarty
Member
Had a SA 1911A1 GI and it was perfect out of the box. Didn't like (couldn't see) the sights however and unloaded it in a trade.
Now for the weird part. My SA XD45 is 99.999% reliable and of course the old Glocks were also. The most reliable out of the box pistol I have ever owned? Are ya ready? My Taurus PT145 Pro with the single action/double action trigger. I have done drills with it from the hip one handed and loosely gripped, on its side, on its other side, upside down, cast lead wad cutter handloads, all sorts of flying ash tray hollow points, CorBon, Hornady TAP, Taurus / Barnes solid copper hollow points etc. Absolutely will not fail, couldn't induce a failure of any kind. I am so damn impressed with this little gem I'm tempted to buy another Taurus and tempt fate.
Now for the weird part. My SA XD45 is 99.999% reliable and of course the old Glocks were also. The most reliable out of the box pistol I have ever owned? Are ya ready? My Taurus PT145 Pro with the single action/double action trigger. I have done drills with it from the hip one handed and loosely gripped, on its side, on its other side, upside down, cast lead wad cutter handloads, all sorts of flying ash tray hollow points, CorBon, Hornady TAP, Taurus / Barnes solid copper hollow points etc. Absolutely will not fail, couldn't induce a failure of any kind. I am so damn impressed with this little gem I'm tempted to buy another Taurus and tempt fate.
Master Blaster
Member
What ammo were you using? One eyed jacks gunshow baggie reloads?
AMERICAN Ammunition Amerc?,
Or was it a major brand, its just possible its an ammo problem, so what brand of ammo was it??
Are you shooting ball or JHP's? Use ball and if you are using one brand, try another. There are some brands best left on the shelves.
A different mag or two is also recommended. I still have a mag that will not feed any JHP's but ball is 99%. (it is marked and used ONLY as a range mag.)
A different mag or two is also recommended. I still have a mag that will not feed any JHP's but ball is 99%. (it is marked and used ONLY as a range mag.)
XavierBreath
Member
Jason,
Before you go shooting again, clean and lubricate the pistol well. Examine the breech face and extractor hook. If you have a chamber brush, use it to clean the chamber.
Try another magazine. Try to borrow a Wilson Combat magazine. While some folks do not like it, the Wilson magazine changes the alignment of the cartridge to the chamber and improves feeding on some pistols. Your gun sure isn't a M1911A1, so why not try a Wilson mag and see.
Get another brand of ammo. The specs could have been off on the previous ammo just enough to prevent feeding of the round with enough pressure from below. Weak loads will also cause feeding problems.
Finally, if it occurs again, see if a firm smack to the rear of the slide with the palm of your weak hand will assist in feeding. If so, you may have a weak recoil spring, or a rough surface slowing up chambering the round. I do not like to go to a heavier recoil spring myself. I prefer to slick up the pistol. Most folks think the heavier spring will help seat the round, and it sometimes does. It also gives more resistance to the slide going back in recoil. If you are going to swap out the spring, take a look at Nowlin's variable rate springs. If you order one from Brownells, you may as well get a GI guide rod and plug as well.
If these quick checks don't isolate the problem, then I would send the pistol to S&W to be given a free reliability job. It's a shame to have to do that, but with the warranty, it's the most cost effective option.
Let us know how it sorts out.
Before you go shooting again, clean and lubricate the pistol well. Examine the breech face and extractor hook. If you have a chamber brush, use it to clean the chamber.
Try another magazine. Try to borrow a Wilson Combat magazine. While some folks do not like it, the Wilson magazine changes the alignment of the cartridge to the chamber and improves feeding on some pistols. Your gun sure isn't a M1911A1, so why not try a Wilson mag and see.
Get another brand of ammo. The specs could have been off on the previous ammo just enough to prevent feeding of the round with enough pressure from below. Weak loads will also cause feeding problems.
Finally, if it occurs again, see if a firm smack to the rear of the slide with the palm of your weak hand will assist in feeding. If so, you may have a weak recoil spring, or a rough surface slowing up chambering the round. I do not like to go to a heavier recoil spring myself. I prefer to slick up the pistol. Most folks think the heavier spring will help seat the round, and it sometimes does. It also gives more resistance to the slide going back in recoil. If you are going to swap out the spring, take a look at Nowlin's variable rate springs. If you order one from Brownells, you may as well get a GI guide rod and plug as well.
If these quick checks don't isolate the problem, then I would send the pistol to S&W to be given a free reliability job. It's a shame to have to do that, but with the warranty, it's the most cost effective option.
Let us know how it sorts out.
Gordon
Member
S&W has the best warranty out there, no expense to you and quickly fixed! My S&W 1911PD has 6000 rounds with 0 malfs - after I got rid of the crappy S&W mags supplied that didn't lock up like they should at all with 8 rounds and were looser than a goose with 7 rounds. They sent me a couple others that work, but I use Wilson 7Ds and they ALLWAYS WORK 100%, so I bet my life on them!
Funny, that's what I have had in mind for my X-mas present and were waiting for the SW1911 SS with rail to appear on Bud's (they are out of stock at this time). I hope this is an isolated case. Let us know when and how you resolve this.
As other posters here noted, this should not happen with any gun, let alone one that costs $800. My $300+ Taurus PT111, has not had single jam since I've had it, and I must have put close to 1000 rounds.
Lonestar49
Member
I will add just this..
...
Not the same gun, but..
When I got my Colt Defender 3" 45, it starting jamming, feed wise only, after some 50 rounds.. It averaged on jam, after the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shot, each mag, each load there on..
The range officer said: get 2 of those Wilson Combat mags off the wall, and your problem is solved, as the factory mags are not that good..
I did, and the worked for the next 100 rounds, then the same pattern of feed jams..
I sent a PM to 1911Tuner, who told me it was a "timing problem" and to make sure, both the mag interiors were clean and the follower smooth, along with the rails and guides were clean and "WET".. well-lubed.
So, I did this, took her apart, cleaned her good, and the same with both the Wilson mags, and the 2 factory mags, with EEZOX (synthetic drying lubricant for bonding to metal, it's on the directions of the can) Put her back together, and for extra measure, when I went to the range the following week, I added some more oil via the vertical method, just before I packed them up for the drive..
Well, she has shot at 100% since, and "both Wilson mags, and the Factory mags work 100%.
Try giving her and the mags a good cleaning, and see if you can use a Wilson mag, if possible, otherwise, hey, buy 2 of them, they're good mags and you'll have 4 total, can't hurt ya.. I'm real happy having 4 mags for her, that work.
See what happens, then report back..
Best of luck,
Ls
...
Not the same gun, but..
When I got my Colt Defender 3" 45, it starting jamming, feed wise only, after some 50 rounds.. It averaged on jam, after the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shot, each mag, each load there on..
The range officer said: get 2 of those Wilson Combat mags off the wall, and your problem is solved, as the factory mags are not that good..
I did, and the worked for the next 100 rounds, then the same pattern of feed jams..
I sent a PM to 1911Tuner, who told me it was a "timing problem" and to make sure, both the mag interiors were clean and the follower smooth, along with the rails and guides were clean and "WET".. well-lubed.
So, I did this, took her apart, cleaned her good, and the same with both the Wilson mags, and the 2 factory mags, with EEZOX (synthetic drying lubricant for bonding to metal, it's on the directions of the can) Put her back together, and for extra measure, when I went to the range the following week, I added some more oil via the vertical method, just before I packed them up for the drive..
Well, she has shot at 100% since, and "both Wilson mags, and the Factory mags work 100%.
Try giving her and the mags a good cleaning, and see if you can use a Wilson mag, if possible, otherwise, hey, buy 2 of them, they're good mags and you'll have 4 total, can't hurt ya.. I'm real happy having 4 mags for her, that work.
See what happens, then report back..
Best of luck,
Ls
Mainsail
Member
Oh wait, I forgot to ask, did you clean it well before your first range visit? The packing grease isn’t there for lubrication.
- Status
