Is it normal for the brass to be eaten up?

[shucks]

Before buying my new "pieced together 1911", I decided to make sure it functioned correctly, soi took an 8 round mag full of wwb fmj in it, and hand cycled them through it three times to make sure that it would function correctly. On the fourth time the masg was to go through, four of the rounds FTF from the mag to the shoot. Taking the mag out, I noticed that the brass, and in one case the slug, were scratched and gouged up pretty bad, and were hanging up on either the bottom of the feed ramp or the top of the mag. Is this normal? It is the first time I've tried this particular function on the 1911, but I've done it to several of my other pistols with the brass coming out unscathed. Thanks for any advice.

[Hawkmoon]

I don't recall the description of the various parts you used. Is the ejection port on your slide lowered and flared? If not, that's your problem. Lowering and flaring adds a degree of reliability to the pistol, but many feel the primary benefit is that the brass doesn't get dented upon ejection. This wasn't a problem for GIs ... it's primarily of concern for reloaders who want to be able to reuse the brass.

[EDIT] I just went back and looked at your pictures. The ejection port is clearly not lowered or flared, so the simple answer to your question is "Yes." It is normal for the brass to get dinged upon ejection.

[Azrael256]

You'll also begin to notice the brass getting deformed if you run it through the magazine several times. I know mine does. You might want to invest in some snap caps. I paid about $3 for ten cheapies. They're a nickel case with a molded plastic bullet and primer. You can cycle them as much as you like without damaging good ammo.

[Hunter]

The case or bullet should not be damaged during feeding. If your rounds are being scratched during feeding I would check the barrel to frame fit. Also inspect your feed ramp for machine marks. Be sure the barrel throat is not hanging over the feed ramp. There should be about 1/32" between the feed ramp as it planes off before the barrel throat begins. The round should feed from the magazine up the feed ramp and into the chamber easily with no damage to the round (or very minimal).

[John]

Please keep in mind that a slow feed test is not a valid test. The 1911 was never designed to cycle by hand.

[shucks]

I've never used snap caps before, might not be a bad investment. I don't usually sit around and hand cycle my rounds, but I don't think I could bring myself to by a gun that did not hand cycle ammo.

Thanks for all the advice fellas. I think I'm starting to love this place.

[John]

Hand cycling will show you nothing about what the gun will do, when you actually fire it. Just because the pistol hand-cycles fine, it doesn't mean it will function fine when fired. And vice verse, if it does not cycle well by hand, it might (and it probably will) function perfectly when fired.

It's not a valid test, that's for sure.