i have a llama 45 ,the gun has a compensator on it ,when shooting fmj bullets i can shoot boxes at a time, my problem started when i started reloading 200 gr swc for it, now after about 2 to 3 magazines the compensator gets so fouled with lead that the slide becomes sluggish and barely returns to fire mode, the guns shoots these loads very accurately and id love to continue to use them ,but cant stand a gun that dont function right, any suggestions? this is the 1st time loading swc for me
problem with swc in 45 with compensator
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Try a plated bullet, that is about your only chance. You might also pick up a bottle of Carters Comp Spray, it is designed to reduce fouling in comps and it might extend the interval with lead bullets but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Comps generally mean quality jacketed bullets, preferrably hollowpoints so there is no exposed lead on the base of the bullet.
Comps generally mean quality jacketed bullets, preferrably hollowpoints so there is no exposed lead on the base of the bullet.
thanks hs im new to these semi autos and this is the 1st with a compensator, im gunna keep toying with it since i bought 500 of them,and it just plain ole shoots to accurate to not try , by plated do ya mean a plated cast bullet? the way ive been shootin this gun i should have them gone in a week or 2, then if still haveing trouble ill try a different bullet
Do a google on Plated bullets or copperwashed bullets
Or Check out National bullet company http://www.nationalbullet.com
Rainier Bullets http://www.rainierballistics.com/mainframe.htm
They use roughly the same load data as hardcast lead but don't lead the barrel. YMMV
Or Check out National bullet company http://www.nationalbullet.com
Rainier Bullets http://www.rainierballistics.com/mainframe.htm
They use roughly the same load data as hardcast lead but don't lead the barrel. YMMV
I have several compensated guns and have found that lead will build up in the ports. My 38 super is the only one with a relativly clean comp because I shoot 90% jacketed bullets out of it. With the velocity of a 45, I don't think a comp is anything but a barrel weight. You need lots of bullet speed for a comp to work correctly, as it is the forward pressure against the plates within the comp that help control recoil.
Just my 2¢
Just my 2¢
Had the same problem with my compensated .45 EAA Witness. I consider it just a hard ball gun, and use the 185 and 200-gr SWCL in my Norinco .45 Auto...which digests everything I've fed it without a hickup! 
Hold the phone, I guess I didn't fully understand what you were describing. There is no reason that shooting lead would make your gun jam up even if it does have a comp. It would take more that a couple magazines shot through it to make a compensator disable a gun. If the ports of a comp were completely clogged with lead, the comp would then act as an extension of the barrel. I'd be looking at your reloads. Please give us the details, that is bullet, powder, and especially the crimp diameter.
I agree with Primersinmyshoe in that the comp geting clogged in itself should not cause a function problem with the pistol. Sounds like the lead SWC loads are loaded too light.
the load is a 200gr swc over 6.5 gr universal clays powder book said about 900fps the barrel isnt leading up just the compensator i clean only the compensator while at the range and im good to go for another 30 shots maybe
I shoot 200 SWC's regularly, and have done so a few times in my comped gun.
The advice rendered above is excellent. My comped gun gets nasty quick (about 250-300 rnds) with cast bullets. Plated or jacketed isn't a problem.
Two things you might also check, the BHN rating of your cast bullet and mic the bullet diameter. Some Llama's are a bit more forgiving in chamber dimensions than other guns.
Who installed the comp ? If it's one of the bushing replacement style add on comps, you might want to check barrel and comp ID measurements.
Your comp might be shaving the bullet as it passes.
In any event, something doesn't jive with your load. A comped gun (as PIMS indicated) can go more than a couple of mags without having cycling problems. Even when mine gets fouled badly, it will still cycle.
Mic the bullet, barrel, comp and crimp and tell us a little more. Sending a bullet down a tube has a fairly finite set of variables, so spotting the discrepency should be fairly easy with the right info.
Or, go to a plated SWC (another excellent suggestion) and rework the load.
BigSlick
The advice rendered above is excellent. My comped gun gets nasty quick (about 250-300 rnds) with cast bullets. Plated or jacketed isn't a problem.
Two things you might also check, the BHN rating of your cast bullet and mic the bullet diameter. Some Llama's are a bit more forgiving in chamber dimensions than other guns.
Who installed the comp ? If it's one of the bushing replacement style add on comps, you might want to check barrel and comp ID measurements.
Your comp might be shaving the bullet as it passes.
In any event, something doesn't jive with your load. A comped gun (as PIMS indicated) can go more than a couple of mags without having cycling problems. Even when mine gets fouled badly, it will still cycle.
Mic the bullet, barrel, comp and crimp and tell us a little more. Sending a bullet down a tube has a fairly finite set of variables, so spotting the discrepency should be fairly easy with the right info.
Or, go to a plated SWC (another excellent suggestion) and rework the load.
BigSlick
Now we're getting somewhere. That's sounds pretty hot. I shoot a 200 lead bullet (Laser Cast), but only at 825 fps (I have a chronograph). I can shoot up to 600 rounds before the gun (I have several 45's, pick one) will start to exhibit signs of built up crud, like not going all the way into battery. Only being able to shoot 30 rounds before trouble sets in is alarming. What are you crimping the case mouth to? I'd look at that measurement first. Mine is .468" to .469". One thing that helped me produce consistently good rounds is the Lee Factory Crimp Die. Some swear by it, and some swear at it. I'm with the former. I used to check every round with a case gauge (hey! you have one, don't you?), but after using the Lee die, I haven't checked in over 4000 rounds. Never a failure to feed due to bumps in the case. I also recomend using Hornady One Shot on the cases before going into the reloader. It makes the press function much more smoothly. As you said that reloading 45acp is new to you, I suggest we look at your reloading process - perhaps that's where the problem is. Let us know, we'll help you figure this out.
Nothing wrong with following Primersinmyshoe's advice just in case.
I have a question though...do they make a 200 SWC with a gas check? Maybe you should switch to that if the comp/lead combo really is the culprit.
I say change powders to something faster (with a lighter load).
I have a question though...do they make a 200 SWC with a gas check? Maybe you should switch to that if the comp/lead combo really is the culprit.
I say change powders to something faster (with a lighter load).
ill do alil more checking and measuring and let ya all know so far yall gave me some good ideas where to start the compensator is a bushing comp. the ports arnt the problem its the actual inside of the comp that is fouling dont know how hard the lead is but the guy who makes it sells tons of it and said its plenty hard said he shoots it through a 454 like i said ill let ya know what i find thanks for the imfo
AHA!!!!!!!! A bushing comp has clearance for the barrel to move back and forth in it, and the comp traps gas (with fouling suspended in it) so you have massive amounts of pressure blowing crud back around the barrel and clogging things up.
There isn't anything you can do about this, it isn't a loading problem or anything else. You need to switch to plated bullets at the very least, JHP or TMJ would be the best choice.
Bushing comps aren't terribly effective either, slow powders help by having muzzle pressure higher but they are often dirty too. Universal is a good choice, as is Power Pistol in 45 acp.
You can replace the comp with a standard bushing and shoot lead all you want, or switch bullets.
There isn't anything you can do about this, it isn't a loading problem or anything else. You need to switch to plated bullets at the very least, JHP or TMJ would be the best choice.
Bushing comps aren't terribly effective either, slow powders help by having muzzle pressure higher but they are often dirty too. Universal is a good choice, as is Power Pistol in 45 acp.
You can replace the comp with a standard bushing and shoot lead all you want, or switch bullets.
i talked to the guy i bought the pistol from he said hell send me his load data he used red dot and said he kept it at about 750 fps said i can shoot all day, when i started describeing what was happening he finished whjat i was saying he knew right off i was shootin over 800 fps so soon as he sends the load data im gunna try that he also said the gun shoots even better with 185 gr cast once again ill let ya know what i find out
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