How old is that magazine?... Pachmeyer magazine ...
Admittedly, time fly's when you're having fun, but I'd be surprised to hear there are Pachmayr stamped mags that were made in this century.The mag used here is a few years old...
The factory mag is a wannabe 8-rounder that has already proven marginal.
I've had very good luck with CMC mags...especially the PowerMags...through a number of different 1911s through several 1k round classes. Can you elaborate on how yours was "not suitable"?A brand new Chip McCormick 8 round mag has also been judged not suitable for actual use.
When made properly, rounds do not "ride up" the ramp on a 1911. At most, they merely glance off on their way to the chamber. If the "ramp" is at the correct angle, and in the right place, and the barrel entrance hasn't been screwed up, it will feed, hollow points included.
Most 1911 failures to feed are mag related.
Exactly.The correct geometry is more important than being super slick.
A common recommendation for new 1911 mags, especially 8 rounders like McCormick or Wilson 47D's is to load the mag up and let it sit for some time, a day or two or a week, or load and unload the mag over and over, to get the spring to "take a set".The CMC mag had nosedive problems. Bought brand new, never tinkered with.
As an FYI, this is a FAQ comment from Wilson Combat related to ammo selection for their Compact guns, but it may be applicable to your issue...Just to be clear, I no longer use the Ruger factory mag at all. My suspicion is that the lightweight frame combined with the extra velocity of the HST (890 FPS listed value) gives enough extra jolt to knock the last round loose. I will be testing several other factory loadings and some down-loaded HST rounds after I finish making the .45 puller collet. This pistol has run WW white box ball and some handloads with no problem, with the same mag. A brand new Chip McCormick 8 round mag has also been judged not suitable for actual use. I'm not blaming the gun, it just has...characteristics...of it's sort.
All the mechanical changes are important, but the biggest factor is ammunition selection because it affects both slide cycle speed and the magazine’s ability to lift the cartridge into position for proper feeding. Ammunition loaded with 230gr bullets generate more recoil impulse (especially +P loads) than 185gr loads, and 7 rounds of 185gr ammunition weighs 315gr less than 7 rounds of 230gr ammunition, making the column of ammunition easier for the magazine spring to lift. I hope you see where I’m going here?