I have a Taurus 9mm 1911 that is extremely finicky about what ammo it likes. It works fine with FMJ but just about any hollowpoint is problematic. It has been worked on by Taurus and a local gunsmith to no avail. Can anyone recommend a 9mm 1911 that is not picky about what ammo it likes?
Taurus 9mm 1911 Blues
- Thread starter maxsnafu
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ClickClickD'oh
Member
I'm running both full size and officer size Citadel 9mm 1911s. Once I started using Wilson ETM magazines, they've been flawless
wally
Member
First thing I'd try are some different mags, the Taurus 9mm 1911 mags really aren't very good.
The root of the problem is short (like most JHP) rounds don't do well in the .45ACP sized magazines -- most put the "spacer" in the back which reduces the "grip" the feed lips have on the rounds during recoil. I believe Tripp makes some with the spacer in front so its like an extension of the feed ramp, but they are not inexpensive.
While I love shooting my 9mm 1911 pistols, for this reason they are only for recreational shooting where the occasional feed failure is not a big deal.
The root of the problem is short (like most JHP) rounds don't do well in the .45ACP sized magazines -- most put the "spacer" in the back which reduces the "grip" the feed lips have on the rounds during recoil. I believe Tripp makes some with the spacer in front so its like an extension of the feed ramp, but they are not inexpensive.
While I love shooting my 9mm 1911 pistols, for this reason they are only for recreational shooting where the occasional feed failure is not a big deal.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I have a Taurus 9mm 1911 in stainless. Once I started using different mags, it is flawless. The OEM mags gave me fits. Glad they are gone.
wally
Member
Further useful discussion will likely require posting photos of the failures.
I'm assuming feeding problems? Several things can cause them, anytime you get away from the 45 acp in a 1911 the more perfect the pistol has to be.
Your mag catch may be worn allowing the magazine to sit too low. Shooting from a bench push the pistol down on the bench as you fire it causing the magazine to be up in the gun as far as possible. IF that makes a difference you need a new magazine release, it's not uncommon for small parts on the Taurus to wear prematurely.
The feeding ramp may need adjusting, if to steep shorter rounds won't feed well. It takes a gunsmith well versed in 9mm 1911's to get it right. If you hand load you can load to a longer OAL and possibly help.
Unlikely is a extractor that is adjusted too tight putting too much pressure on the round as it feeds, so check the extractor tension and when you do make sure the extractor can't "clock" or turn while mounted inside the slide. This will also cause feeding and extraction problems.
As others have said we need more info and pictures to do much diagnosis.
Your mag catch may be worn allowing the magazine to sit too low. Shooting from a bench push the pistol down on the bench as you fire it causing the magazine to be up in the gun as far as possible. IF that makes a difference you need a new magazine release, it's not uncommon for small parts on the Taurus to wear prematurely.
The feeding ramp may need adjusting, if to steep shorter rounds won't feed well. It takes a gunsmith well versed in 9mm 1911's to get it right. If you hand load you can load to a longer OAL and possibly help.
Unlikely is a extractor that is adjusted too tight putting too much pressure on the round as it feeds, so check the extractor tension and when you do make sure the extractor can't "clock" or turn while mounted inside the slide. This will also cause feeding and extraction problems.
As others have said we need more info and pictures to do much diagnosis.
Zaydok Allen
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I suggest trying Wilson Combat magazines, and Hornady Critical Defense, or Critical Duty ammunition, as the bullet profile is closer to a FMJ on those rounds, and should still expand somewhat when penetrating a target.
I had a Springfield Loaded 9mm 1911 and I now have a 9mm STI Trojan 1911. The Trojan came with 1 Metalform mag that works fine but it needs a basepad. I use Wilson 9mm Elite Tactical Mags and these have been flawless with everything but that ZQI NATO 123 gr. FMJ ammo that Wally's sells.
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highlander 5
Member
I have a 9mm 1911 and use Tripp,Metalform and the factory mags that I think are Wilson and yet to have feed problems. As others have said try some different mags that may make the difference.
Zerodefect
member
Try Tripp cobra mags. Stiff mag spring, and attention to lip height, makes those my go to mags.
Try Federal Ammo. Federals ammo is my base starting point whenever I'm trouble shooting. Try Corbon as well.
I'd have to see/ know the exact type of failures too narrow down the things to check.
Is the barrel finish still rough? Has it smoothed out yet? Ramps? Guide rod? Etc. etc.
I like the DW's. But tend to stick with 45 for 1911's.
Try Federal Ammo. Federals ammo is my base starting point whenever I'm trouble shooting. Try Corbon as well.
I'd have to see/ know the exact type of failures too narrow down the things to check.
Is the barrel finish still rough? Has it smoothed out yet? Ramps? Guide rod? Etc. etc.
I like the DW's. But tend to stick with 45 for 1911's.
Yes, feeding problems. The tip of the bullet hangs up on the ramp. Occurs with ALL hollow point ammo even when using Wilson magazines. What's discouraging is that when I returned the gun to Taurus for repair even they didn't (or couldn't) fix it.
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Jim Watson
Member
The integral ramp on such guns is as steep as the makers think will still feed, in homage to the great Internet Idol of "full support." Sometimes they guess wrong, or machining tolerances catch up with them... and you.
It takes a fairly brave gunsmith to lower the ramp angle to approximate the two section Colt ramp and give up some of that "support." I HAVE a brave gunsmith and he has recontoured the integral ramps in two 9mms (from a different South American manufacturer) to serve as FEED ramps.
Maybe a high polish on the integral ramp will let the hollowpoint slide up and into the chamber. But sometimes I think that guns sent back for "Good Customer Service" and returned with a note "chamber polished" have has a bit of recontouring done.
It takes a fairly brave gunsmith to lower the ramp angle to approximate the two section Colt ramp and give up some of that "support." I HAVE a brave gunsmith and he has recontoured the integral ramps in two 9mms (from a different South American manufacturer) to serve as FEED ramps.
Maybe a high polish on the integral ramp will let the hollowpoint slide up and into the chamber. But sometimes I think that guns sent back for "Good Customer Service" and returned with a note "chamber polished" have has a bit of recontouring done.
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