Mag prob? High-cap Springfield.

[myrockfight]

I've got a question for those of you "in the know." I purchased a parkerized, "high-capacity", Springfield 1911 last week. I took it out to the creek to do an informal test. Unfortunately, I found the slide stopping short of loading rounds all the way into the chamber. Many never made it out of the magazine, while others stopped about a half-inch short of completely chambered.

Is this the magazine spring problem? -rounds not getting out of the mag.

What is the stovepipe problem? -half-inch short of fully chambered.

I only ran a hundred rounds out of it. Before I took it out, I disassembled it and cleaned it completely of any grime leftover from the factory.

My other 1911 is a Kimber Ultra CDP. So I guess I am a little spoiled, as far as reliability "out of the box" goes. Is this normal? And should I expect it from a $530.00 gun?

Edit: When the slide stops short of fully chambering a round, it is like the spring doesn't hold enough energy to make the full trip. So is it remedied by a stronger spring? Do Springfields traditionally have weak factory springs?

BTW the mag is a Megger.

 

[mpthole]

Hmmm... could be the extractor; could be weak magazine spring. I'm sure others will jump in here soon enough.

A typical "stovepipe" malfunction is when an empty case gets stuck between the slide and the barrel during the ejection process. Sometimes, they'll point straight up - thus the "stovepipe" look, but they can sometimes point sideways too.

Hope that helps.

 

[myrockfight]

"A typical "stovepipe" malfunction is when an empty case gets stuck between the slide and the barrel during the ejection process. Sometimes, they'll point straight up - thus the "stovepipe" look, but they can sometimes point sideways too."

LOL, thanks for the correction! Nothing like a newbie to screw up the jargon. I also thought FTF was "failure to feed" rather than "failure to fire." It would help a lot if there was a sticky thread with the most common technical terms and jargon used on this board. I know it would help me.

I also noticed that there are a lot of brass marks the slide just outside the extractor, like every single casing dings it on the way out.

 

[Onmilo]

You didn't state what type of ammunition you were using.
Failure to return to full battery usually indicates improper lubrication, too weak a grasp, or ammunition loaded to improper power level for the weapon in question.
The Springfield Hi-Cap recoil spring tests as 16 pound pull weight,( I checked one on my pull guage).
Unless you cut the factory spring down or installed a lighter than standard spring, that won't be the problem. HTH

 

[71Commander]

I would look at the ammo first. Mine was a little finickey at first but ran good with 230 FMJ. A great little shooter now. I don't shoot anything but the FMJ in it.

 

[shooter1]

If you are using good quality ammo, either fricton or a weak recoil spring is most likely the problem. Sometimes it's a combination of the two. Try the slide on the frame (without the barrel, recoil spring, guide rod assm) and insure it runs freely back and forth. If It binds, you most likely need the services of a good 1911 smith. If not, go with an extra power recoil spring and use a good synthetic grease on the rails. Bet your problem goes away!
str1

 

[myrockfight]

Thank you for the replies. I will keep them in mind and see how it goes. I am going to run a hundred rounds of Winchester 230gr. FMJs through it this afternoon. I'll probably set up a target also to give an informal accuracy test. I'll make sure everything is well lubed and go from there. If I still has some problems I might throw a few pics up.

 

[myrockfight]

Good news

I shot fifty rounds through her this afternoon. She ran perfectly with the Winchester FMJs and with Remington JHPs. I think I just needed to do a complete takedown and clean everything up and lube it well. Which was done after the first hundred rounds last week. Although the accuracy isn't where I would like to have it, I am pleased it is feeding well now. Some time this week I am going to shoot for accuracy. I've got to find the time though. I am getting ready to move. Thanks again for the advice.