lowering and flaring the ejection port?

[skunkworks]

any advice on slide work from people who have been there? thanks.

[Candiru]

This (http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/Details.htm#August%2030) may be helpful, although I do not have enough experience to say for sure whether he's doing it right. Looks good, though.

[skunkworks]

thank you very much, that is very helpful. what about bandaids when my dremel bites my fingers? have great day.

[Lazarus]

This brings up another question and that is, does a lowered/flared ejection port really improve the realiability of the gun? I have heard that the "original" JMB design did really call for a lowered ejection port, but that the army wanted something different for some reason. Any knowledgeable info on this subject? Sure, the larger the hole in the slide, the more likely the brass will get free of the gun, but really is it fundamentally a basic adjustment problem, or is the original high ejection port just the result of soft steel slides and the resulting compromises?

-Lazarus

[John]

Not a necessity per se, the case will find its way out even if your ejection port is of the original design, but the ejector has to be shaped correctly and the extractor has to have the proper tension. Remember how many original shape 1911s and 1911A1s are out there, and they are working fine without a lowered and flared ejection port.

On the other hand giving that case a bigger door to fly out from, is an additional precaution to ensure reliable operation.

[Lazarus]

John, thanks for your comments. Obviously millions of original ejection port 1911's work just fine. I was recently stumped when I was asked if I wanted a lowered/flared ejection port as part of a "reliability package" on a carry gun. The gun was a classic A-1 and I saw no reason to grind up the slide based on reliability. Besides, I like the original lines. My original understanding about the issue was that the early steels would not stand up long if a modern lowered ejection port was cut out. Someone else said the higher port was desired to prevent sideways ejection (didn't want hot brass flying at the guy next to you). My only thought is that if you have a long ejector (presumably to speed up the ejection process) it is going to be more difficult and possibly more dangerous to eject live rounds from the chamber. That's a consideration that is rarely mentioned.

-Lazarus

[gbw]

It's not hard to do. As always, cut less than you think you need to, the re-evaluate.

Only advantage I can think of is that brass ejected from a gun with the lowered / flared port is less likely to be bent in around the mouth - makes reloading somewhat easier. I've never seen any reliability problem with the original port if everything else is right, but others with more experience may have.

I don't believe an extended ejector should protrude so far froward that live ammo won't eject.

Like Lazarus, the older I get the more I lean toward the original lines and form.

[John]

I would think that the military would want a higher (less open) ejection port to avoid debris going in the gun. As for ejecting a live round, I've only faced that problem with Commanders, never with a Government model. I am not sure if memory is playing tricks on me, or the opening is longer on the Gov. model.

[groundpounder]

Don't know if you have access to a mill but here is a link that I've found useful: Blindhogg (http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/ejectionport.html)

[garrettwc]

I was recently stumped when I was asked if I wanted a lowered/flared ejection port as part of a "reliability package" on a carry gun. The gun was a classic A-1 and I saw no reason to grind up the slide based on reliability.
I'm probably channeling Tuner here, but if a guy tells me the ejection port needs lowering and flaring to make the gun more reliable, it's probably because he doesn't know how to put the other parts in right.

The history I remember with lowered and flared ports was that they arrived on the scene about the same time the gun games like IPSC started appearing. These guys were loading their own ammo with home brewed target loads and re-using their brass. The port was opened up to allow more time for the soft loads to be kicked out, and the flare was later added because they didn't want their brass dented by the slide coming forward.

[berkbw]

The 1911 was designed to be a combat weapon. It ejects. Beyond combat there is scarfing up the spent casings. So?

b-

[Ericthenorse]

I believe the first use of the lowered port was on the National Match pistols... I am unsure when it started(or even if I am right...)