Question on Colt 1911 Series 80

[William235]

I recently acquired this weapon and like my Springfield 1911, I like it a lot. It functions well and is reliable. I have one question though. Every round that is ejected is creased right down the side like someone punched it with a chisel parallel to its length. (I hope this is clear. The crease is biggest at the open end of the spent round and tapers off to nothing at the rim) It does not affect function but I wonder if it is a sign of something about to go wrong. Any thoughts??

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

I believe that you need to have the ejection port flared & lowered. I had that exact pistol, with that exact "problem". Like yours, it never affected the functionality of the pistol, but was hard on the brass.

Sam

 

[cyclopsshooter]

post a photo of the ejection port

 

[Drail]

This is very common on any unmodified 1911. As long as it makes it out of the gun and you are not a reloader it has become accepted. It can be prevented.

 

[rbernie]

It does not affect function but I wonder if it is a sign of something about to go wrong.

Nope. It simply means that the brass is getting dented by the edge of the ejection port on the way out.

 

[Oro]

Installing an extended ejector (or changing the one you have) can usually fix this and is cheaper and easier than altering the slide and requiring a refinish or touch-up in a highly visible area. Check if you gun has a standard or extended ejector, and is it a Gov't. or a Commander?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

With the original design ejection port this is pretty common. But I would have thought that a new production Colt would already have an enlarged/lowered ejection port.

 

[Oro]

But I would have thought that a new production Colt would already have an enlarged/lowered ejection port.

The XSE series are more modern, the '80 series/1991 type more traditional. So you can get them both ways depending upon which model you buy.

 

[William235]

Thanks for all the input. To answer Oro, it is a Government Series 80 pistol and the ejection port has not been lowered. I am glad to hear that it is not a malfunction. I will take a look on Brownells to see if I can get and extended ejector.

Thanks again!

 

[Drail]

Be aware that an extended ejector (and yes they can be shortened and have the angle changed) in most Colts will not allow a loaded cartridge to come through the port. Not a big deal, but it really bugs some folks. It will fall down and out the magazine well. At some point in the early 90s Colt added an additional cut at the front of the port which will allow a loaded round to eject like an empty case. The extractor and ejector can be carefully tweaked to make it eject empties without denting them.

 

[MICHAEL T]

If you don't reload don't worry about it. It ejects and is relieable That what matters.

 

[TehK1w1]

My Kahr does the exact same thing. It doesn't seem to affect reliability...

 

[loop]

Replacing the ejector is not as simple as remove and replace. At a minimum you will need a set of jeweler's files and a small punch (can't recall the size offhand). It may also be installed using a sealant such as Locktite that requires heat to remove the ejector legs.

I've performed this procedure many times and it is relatively simple, but for the first time I would suggest spending some time educating yourself before undertaking the operation. There are also little tricks like driving the pin from the left side of the frame rather than the right. If you drive it from the left you do not have to take it completely out of the frame. If you drive it from the right it must come all the way out and can be very tedious to get back into the tiny hole.

A smith won't charge but about $10 or 15 to install one. That may be better for you. My set of jeweler's files cost me $60.

 

[outerlimit]

The ejection port on the Series 80 is already lowered, in comparison to the Series 70. I have two 1911's with Series 80 style ejection ports and neither do that to the brass.

 

[Walkalong]

Brazos Custom

Click on Tips & Tricks, then Ejection Perfection.

 

[Oro]

in most Colts will not allow a loaded cartridge to come through the port.

This is NOT a bad thing.

You should not load a 1911 this way. Racking the slide forward on a round in the chamber will force the extractor to bend over the cartridge rim, work hardening it and eventually forcing it out of tune. The extractor is designed to work with the magazine, and the round slips up and under the rim notch in the extractor; the extractor does not bend over the rim. This is the feeding process; upon ejection, the ejector then twists it out sideways from under the extractor hook, again not ripping it out form underneath the extractor linearly and bending it. The extractor should never be forced to go straight over the case rim. If you want to load a 1911 "+1", insert the mag, rack the slide, then remove the magazine and insert another round. Do not "force feed" it. Lots of people wonder why their extractors go out of tune; I have no confusion about why this happens.

As loop pointed out, swapping the ejector is indeed not entirely "plug and play" - but it is not hard. You do need to go to the hardware store and buy a tiny roll pin and very small punch. you can get one for a few dollars if you don't buy a whole set. but again, if you aren't confident a decent 'smith should not charge much. But many smiths have a minimum bench charge of $50 or so, and you may be much better off studying and doing it yourself.

The ejection port on the Series 80 is already lowered, in comparison to the Series 70.

100% correct. On a Series 80 it is indeed about 1/10 or maybe 1/8" lower (eyeball guess, not a hard measurement ). If your gun is doing this, consider this: an ammo/spring mis-match. Is the spring worn, or the ammo hot? Where does the brass pile up when you shoot it (distance from the gun and direction, expressed as "o'clock" based on the gun being 12 o'clock)? Does it land in a close pile, or does it vary by more than a foot? Do you know how many rounds total are on the gun, and if it is used, do you know what the previous owner ran through it all the time?

 

[ugaarguy]

Installing an extended ejector (or changing the one you have) can usually fix this and is cheaper and easier than altering the slide and requiring a refinish or touch-up in a highly visible area. Check if you gun has a standard or extended ejector, and is it a Gov't. or a Commander?

I'd have a gunsmith look at it. I have a Dan Wesson PMA-10 that similarly dents about 1/10th of the brass it ejects. My gunsmith diagnosed it as the gun having an extended ejector for enhanced reliability. This can sometimes cause the brass to eject early in the recoil cycle which causes it to catch and dent on the front of the ejection port on the way out.