jam on sa gov

[had]

my springfield gov. has jamed twice in 650 rounds just after entering the chamber with 90% of the case exposed. new to the 1911 and i love it. i have shot federal hollow points and gold dots with no problem. the jams were both with the win. value packs. also my guide rod keeps unscrewing it is an older one with a screwdriver slot. would it be better to replace it with one that uses an allen wrench or a one piece? tell me your thoughts.

[1911WB]

Is this a new pistol?- 2 FTF's out of 650 rounds would not be very significant in the break-in process of a new pistol. In any case you might check the barrel throat at the top- is there a sharp edge; if so, break that edge with a sharp knife & then polish it with fine sandpaper. Check the barrel position vs. the feed ramp- the barrel should sit so there is about a 1/32" gap with the feed ramp. Also, if the feed ramp is steel polish it carefully- don't remove metal or change the contour. Check the breechface for roughness & gently polish if needed. Replace the recoil spring with a Wolff 16 lb. Check the extractor & either properly tension it or replace with a Wilson or Brown. As far as a guide rod you could get a one piece or get the standard short GI-type rod. Good luck. :p WB

[Rabbi]

Very sound advice from WB. I would also add that my first SA loaded Lightweight had the screwdriver slot guide rod and it would walk loose in twenty rounds. A drop of blue Loctite keeps it tight until you decide to remove it.

Also, did you measure the overall length of those Winchester rounds? I have found them to vary .030" and they didn't feed well in my RIA or Springfield.

Regards,

Rabbi

[had]

it is a new gun a loaded springfield it shoots great better than me. the throat seems polished well. how many rounds is considered broke in? i had read that the extractor could cause that. not to familiar with adjusting it.
i was hopeing that it was just that my gun didn't like those win. seemed like a good deal for the price so i couldnt stay away from them. what other basic 230 fmj can you guys recomend for practice?
ill try the lock tight first before i buy a new guide rod.

thanks

[1911WB]

had- at 650 rounds your pitol should be well broken in. If you reload, you could try my 230 FMJ load: 5 grns Bullseye powder with WLP primer loaded to 1.255 oal. If not pick up some Fed. Am. Eagle 230 FMJ. Go to the sites below for more help on 1911 problems & how to mess with extractors. :p


http://thehighroad.org/
http://forums.1911forum.com/

[had]

ok, thanks

[Gammon]

My experience has proven that 650 rounds is not enough to break in 1911, one or two thousand is more like it. My favorite LOA fot the 1911 (.45 and .38 Super) is 1.250. You have two choices: shoot it until it works, or give it to a gunsmith. I'd rather spend the money on ammo, although sometimes professional assistance is required.

[TATU]

Even better, do a "Search" in here and you will find excellent info about how your extractor can cause problems and how to correct them.

And of course, do not forget "The M-1911 Pistols Home Page" (http://www.m1911.org/m1911dt.htm), check the Technical Issues there for more info.

Rgds

[had]

actually i think it might have been the firing pin stop getting stuck on the hammer. i saw this prob on another forum and it sounded like thats what it was. when it happened it was locked up solid and my firing pin stop is loose. it hasn't happened since but i'm gonna get a new firing pin stop anyway.

had

[chitoryu2454]

i had used win value packs for over a year an a half with no problems......until about last june. at that time i began noticing ftf's not only in .45 ACP but also 9mm. i put a caliper on the remaining roumds and found about 0.011" deviation. i have no idea of what the tolorances are supposed to be.
i used the remainder of the 9's in a carbine. i have switch to rems or umc's and have had no problems.
i still don't know if it was the ammo or something else, but i switched as it was the easiest and least expensive test. it worked for me, maybe a switch will prove it one way or the other. i would always look to the easiest test and if it works out that it clears the problem. remember.........
if it ain't broke don't fix it

[1911slabsides]

From what you have said, considering that 90% of the case is exposed, it sure sounds to me like a weak magazine spring. Sounds like it just can't keep up all the time. I'd personally dump the two part guide rod. I don't particularly care for full lenght guide rods in the first place but the two piece is just more trouble than it is worth.

[had]

thanks for the info. i now have 1000 rounds in that pistol and have had no more problems. those 1000 rounds have been split between three factory sa mags. i don't think they are worn out, but one could be weak from the factory. when i had the jam i did not pay attention to what mag it was... :confused: :( but if it ever happens again i will be paying attention to everything. i really like this gun. it has turned in to my favorite by far. it is accurate and points great. it is the only gun i have ever shot that i can hit targets by just point and shoot. i'm hopeing it was the break in. if i can get another 1000 with no prob i will carry it.

had