Unusual Problem - Advice - Suggestions

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rhtwist

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Hello to All,
I have a thread running about a 1911 pistol just returned from factory repair with FTRB problems. Working that out.
My unusual problem is that when I went to test the pistol after polishing the extractor I got about halfway through the box of 100 WWB and the slide wouldn't go into battery. Noticed that the firing pin was sticking out and that the firing pin plate had dropped down about halfway. Looked over the firing pin and spring, looked normal as when I got it. Tight end against the firing pin rear.
What would cause this (accepting opinions). I replaced it with a Wolff extra power firing pin return spring which was significantly longer. Help again!
rhtwist
 
Hello rcmodel,
I hope not, but does seem likely. Still awaiting the factory reply. Will update.
Thanks dude,
rhtwist
 
Did the factory polish the breech face as part of the repair for the original FTRB problems? If so, it could be that they fouled the firing pin tunnel. You might want to give it a good scrub.
Regards,
Greg
 
Hello gb6491.
No they didn't. The firearm was being repaired for throwing empties into my face and a few other issues. It came back with the new problem of FTRB and the one time stuck firing pin.
Polishing the breechface may help the FTRB problem. Thanks for the ideas and reply Kind Sir.
rhtwist
 
The actual cause of that problem is interesting. The cartridge fires and the slide recoils. The slide hits the hammer so hard and fast that the hammer flies back out of contact with the slide. If that happens while the firing pin is still forward, the firing pin stop will come down because it tries to remain where it is while the gun recoils upward. That is the condition you report.

Most likely a stronger firing pin spring will solve the problem or the firing pin stop can be peened in place. Other solutions could be a stronger recoil spring or a stronger main (hammer) spring.

Jim
 
Hello Jim,
The manufacturer is going to send me a knew firing pin spring and we'll see.
With the work I'm doing to polish the extractor I don't mind the stop being easy to manually remove. If I get the FTRB fixed, peening sounds o.k. Thanks for the advice.
rhtwist
 
A properly fit EGW square bottom pin stop with a extra power spring is a very good investment in your 1911. The difference is amazing.
 
Might just try that! I've read it reduces felt recoil. Whats your opinion.
rhtwist
 
It CHANGES felt recoil is a better way to put it, IMO. The pistol will seem to have a lessened tendency to roll to the right in recoil and the recoil feels slower, noticably.

You say that the manufacturer is sending a new firing pin spring? But you already have installed a Wolff 'extra power' spring? Stick with the Wolff spring.

You don't have to have a poorly fitted stop to have one that's easy to install. Once fitted snugly in the cut a slight taper to the leading edge surfaces of the stop can guide it right in without losing the correct snug fit. There should be no need to deform any part of your pistol by peening and doing so will be likely to make future removal/reinstallations more difficult.

The nice thing about an EGW oversize FPS is that once fitted to it's cut in the slide it gives you the chance to try the much talked about 'squared' contact and keep cutting up to a return to your original shape if you decide that the squared effect is not your preference.

A few strokes with a fine cut file to the front end of your ejector could resolve your "brass hits me in the face/on my head" problem much faster and more surely than repeated trips to the factory could, particularly if when at the factory the problem doesn't show itself because of differences in the load they use or differences in some other factor during a brief test. This presupposes that they do in fact test it at all.
 
Hey krs,
Want an operable original manufacturer's firing pin spring. 1911Tuner IIRC stated that a small radius on the bottom (I can't recall the exact dimensions) is easier on the hammer than the plain flat bottom. What is your opinion on that?
Also just to vent, this extractor polishing is working but I don't know if it's correct until I fire it at least 100 rounds. Last test was three FTRB after approx 75 rounds. I can't find any ammo to replace what I'm using, grrrrr!
Still locks slide if slide is slowly released on brass ammo, but alway on nickle plated. Thanks for all the responses.
rhtwist
 
Ya, a radius is good there - how big is up to you. If I remember tuner's descriptions it seems like he was talking about a 1/16" radius to keep from a sharp corner impact to the hammer, and that'd be a minimum. The bigger the radius the less the benefit.

You're saying "extractor" - I was saying "ejector". If all of that means that your brass is still conking you on the head, a higher impact of brass to ejector will make for a lower ejection trajectory and a small bevel on the inside right side of the contact point of the ejector will aim the brass out to the right. Ever play any baseball? It's not a lot different than hitting a baseball to right field. If your brass is binking you then your ejector is hitting popups - your ejector(bat) is hitting the brass(ball) low but square. :)

Any cutting, filing, grinding, whatever should always be very small amounts of metal removed. Things change with minor adjustments, and you can't put the metal back if you go too far.
 
The ejection problem came back fixed. So far so good. Its the FTRB problem and a loose firing pin stop that seem most immediate. I'll remember that about the ejector angle, if it returns once the extractor problem is fixed. Thanks for the info.
rhtwist
 
Just so's I can learn something here... Is this truly a FTRB or Failure to Feed issue? Polishing the breach face? Polishing the extractor? Why?

Do you have a buddy that can reload 8 or so rounds of dummy loads? Is it the extractor that's the hangup, or are the cartridges almost in a three point jam? Have you attemped creating the FTRB without the extractor in place? (firing as a single shot)

Could there be some fowling in the extractor groove? Internal or External extractor? With your polishing, did you happen to change any angles of the hook? Do you have a stepped extractor with the spring hanging up on a ledge making it too tight?

Did you happen to polish the FPS?

-Steve
 
Howdy,
I didn't polish the firing pin stop, sorry if I gave that impression. It has an internal extractor. In firing I'm getting 3 out of 100 rounds with the cartridge in the chamber and slide stopped. Have to hit the slide to get it to close. Also when doing a press check the slide will stop with the bullet partially out of the chamber and not close when released on it's own. This seems to always occur where the barrel begins to link down. I removed the extractor and the problem disappeared on manually functioning the firearm and the press check. I polished the groove in the extractor rounding the bottom's angle and the vertical surface which had a sharp corner. This seems to have helped, but I'm not quite there yet. The firing pin stop when installed can be pushed up and down with very light finger pressure. It may be contributing to the FTRB problem by allowing the extractor to move. I dunt know.
rhtwist.
 
There's a groove in your extractor? Polishing, (not removing metal), the leading edge of the extractor my be the ticket. -But hey, I'm no gunsmith.

How old is your recoil spring? What weight?

What model/brand 1911 is this?

I don't understand why the FPS can move around. It should have ample spring pressure on it.

Appears to be two issues at play here.

-Steve
 
Hello JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone (thanks for copy and paste),
When you say polish the leading edge of the extractor are you talking about the flat surface that is the front wall of the extractor groove, the area that grips the rim of the case?
The recoil spring is new from the factory, I can tell, but I don't know it's weight. Less than an ounce or two I'd guess, joking :). Currently I am not releasing the brand name as we are working together to fix the problem and it is not exactly relevant. I emailed them and they advised that the looseness of the firing pin stop could be allowing the extractor to move around some. Awaiting a response to see if they will ship me a replacement and firing pin spring. Thanks for your response.
rhtwist
 
Update. Manufacturer issuing return ticket for the upper repair. We'll see.
rhtwist
 
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