10mm Conversion Problems

[cxm]

Gents (and Ladies if any are here:)

I really need the expertise of the 1911 gurus here on a problem I have tinkered with for quite some time.

The pistol in question is a Para Ord P16-40 Limited (one with the Bo-Mar type adjustable sights.) A while back I had a Bar-Sto 10mm barrel fitted to the pistol.

10mm rounds fit in the magazine fine... and about half the time it works great.

The problem of course is the other 50% of the time. The round being fed from the magazine will be slammed into the lip of the barrel hood enough to cause it to hang up and the result is a FTF. This happens with cast bullets, plated bullets and some jacketed bullets.

I have polished the ramps and the hood (and hood lip)throated the chamber and polished the bolt face.

If anyone has any ides on what to do next I would be most appreciative to hear them. The 10mm is a nice cartridge and fun to shoot... hope a solution can be found.

Thanks

Chuck

[Hunter]

Are you using 10mm magazines?

[cxm]

AFIK Para has not ever made any 10mm mags...so using the .40 mags.

Thanks

Chuck


Are you using 10mm magazines?

[Moose63845]

Are you using 10mm magazines?
All Para mags for a given frame size are the same size so a P-14 mag will fit in a P-16 and vise versa.

[Iron bottom]

I believe most 10 mm shooters are using a 23# main spring, 22 or 24# recoil spring and a EGW oversized firing pin stop radiused as per Tuner. .072 radius, if I remember correctly. A buffer may also help with frame battering, if you are seeing any. This is what I currently have installed. Still throws brass a country mile though, but functions fine and I haven't noticed any damage to the frame or slide. I also use a full length guide rod. Check head space, timing and lugs maybe?

[Iron bottom]

Could be a magazine problem also. Weak spring perhaps. The Colt 10 mm magazines I have do have the dimple. I believe there was a thread on the 10 mm talk forum on the conversion of a Para .40 to 10 mm that may have the information you need.

[TheGerk]

I converted my P-16 but took another route; I just had the stock .40cal barrel reamed to accept the .992 inch case.
I have never had a feeding problem. I use the stock Para Hi-cap and 10round .40 cal magazines; they have no problem accepting the 1.260 inch cartridge.

Lets run down a couple of things, when you had your Bar-sto fitted did they do any machine work on the frame? Change or modify the support block cut in the frame?

If not, it sounds as if the barrel may not be fitted correctly to your gun.
Does this happen if someone else shoots the pistol? It looks like you have run enough different ammo through the thing to rule out ammo. I’m sure you have a proper recoil spring with correct weight. Was the slide stop replaced?
these can effect cycling and or magazine performance.

If the frame hasn’t been messed with, and you still have your old .40cal barrel you could try it, I had mine reamed by Pacific International in Oregon (cost 10.00) it made for a very reliable service grade shooter.
Good Luck :)