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stovepipes in my 1911?

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proven

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at the range yesterday, i had a few stovepipes with my 1911. this brought to memory that i have never changed the recoil spring. it's been 100% reliable up until now and i'm thinking i need to replace it. any other thoughts on what might have caused this? it's a series1 kimber classic custom with the only mod being a gi plug and guide rod. i was using wilson combat 47d mags, but the springs in those have never been changed either.

thanks
 
Your extractor may have become loose.
Do you know how to test it/adjust it?
A few vids on YouTube explaining it.
 
I'd for sure start changing springs before you go messing around with your extractor.

Was this toward the end of your shooting session?
 
honestly 1911tuner, i'm not sure. it happened once when i was shooting it and i believe it was during slide recoil. it happened more often to my buddy who was shooting it as well.
 
any other thoughts? i picked up a wolff 16 lb spring today and will get that in before the next trip to the range and see if that helps.
 
The fact that it happened to one shooter more than another suggests inconsistency, I'm willing to bet it's operator induced, ie, "limpwristing".

I know, sucks to be told that, but that's my first impression.
 
Before you do a thing, please identify the bullet weight and load you are using. With a lighter bullet, you may need to trim back the recoil spring. I start with 1/8 of a turn at a time until I get clean ejection. The recoil springs are not "one size fits all." They can and should be trimmed for any load other than the 230 grain FMJ military load. The springs are cheap. I keep several on hand, trim as needed then label them for re-use.

Are the magazines undamaged? Try some other mags before you make any other changes.

Limp wristing? As stated above........That will do it. Let someone else try the pistol. Compare the results with yours.

Flash
 
limp wristing had crossed my mind. the ammo was 230 gr ball and some golden sabre hp. i'm not positive the golden sabres were 230 as they make 185gr as well and this was left from a box a friend gave me years ago. the rest of the box (shot years ago) performed reliably though. i think i'll change the recoil spring anyway, just because it's never been done.
 
zerodefect....what would that help? the gi guide rod and plug has been in since shortly after i bought it without a single hiccup.
 
In my (limited) experience too HEAVY recoil spring or TOO LOOSE Extractor causes Stovepipes.
At least test your extractor tension
 
I first heard theories about limp-grip induced failures to eject way back in the mid-80s. It was about the same time that a plethora of spring rates became available...so I decided to embark on a few experiments, as I'm wont to do whenever I theories that don't exaclty make sense.

Stepping up the spring rates 2 pounds at a time, I fired a test gun by cradling it loosely in my hand, and only controlling it with the web and the trigger finger with my wrist broken at an angle any my elbow bent...just enough to keep the gun from jumping ship. I didn't get short cycle malfunctions until I hit 24 pounds, and not every time even then.
 
Tuner it's funny you mention that. I have said for years that I didn't believe this whole "limp wresting" thing was really a concern, but people are so convinced it happens they look at you like you are crazy for suggesting such a thing so I shuddup about it.

I didn't conduct nearly as detailed testing as it sounds like you did, but I've never been able to make it happen to any gun I own using springs that were appropriate for the gun.
 
Weak ammo and limp wristing, are two things that I have seen cause a stove pipe failure. These were shooting a G19 however, with my 8yr old shooting;) Limp wristing is a real thing, belive me....Why else would a previously 100% functioning weapon, stove pipe for a little kid every shot, but run 100% again in my hands? Do check your extractor tension as the others have already stated, or it may just be broken.
 
anyone have a link to a reputable article or vid on checking the extractor tension? can't hurt, and i'm always up for learning more about my firearms.
 
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