9MM 1911 Combat Commander Jams

[sromley]

I have a 1911 Combat Commander. The serial number starts with 70, but I've been told there are no model 70 9MM Combat Commanders. Most unusual, it's a steel frame. It was my dad's, so go figure.

Anyway, the pistol jams intermittently, especially with the last two rounds in the magazine. I have the original Colt magazine, which is the worst of all. The other three I have are made by Mec-Gar. I can't isolate which one may be the problem.

I change the recoil spring every 1000 rounds or so. Doesn't seem to make a difference. Any ideas? Can anyone suggest a good gunsmith in the SF Bay Area, in particular, the East Bay?

BTW, I have three other pistols, a Berretta M9, S&W Model 13 4", and a Taurus PT1911 (not a bad pistol, especially for the price). The Colt is BY FAR by favorite. Nice weight and size, easy to shoot, just need to fix the jamming problem. I compete in IDPA and Action Pistol, and I want to continue using my Commander. But the jamming is really hurting my times..

[paul45]

Magazines........followers and springs.

[lindermant]

put a fresh spring in the Colt magazine, and give away the mecgar. I use and recommend Springfield 'front ramp' 9mm magazines (made by Metalform) for the 9mm 1911. They (along with the factory Colt magazine) run like a champ in my 9mm Combat Commander:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tlinderman/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/dsc01818.jpg

you can order magazine springs here:
http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/ColtNF.html#MagazineSprings

here's a link showing what the 'front ramp' magazines look like:
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6840&d=1049722953

[sromley]

Couldn't open your link..
http://www.1911forum.com/forums/att...40&d=1049722953

btw, here is my baby - shows some use, but that's good!

http://homepage.mac.com/sromley/GarageSaleImages/IMG_1695.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/sromley/GarageSaleImages/_MG_1698.JPG

Anyone know if the serial number indicates this is a model 70?

Also, what the heck is a follower. I've been shooting for years, but never much into the lingo.

Also, could a good gunsmith clean up the scratches?

[paul45]

Yours is from 1975. Leave the scratches be, honest wear is ok. Start messing with it and the value plummets. Followers are the metal or nylon "tops" of your mags that feed the round to the barrel. I suggest as well .....you need good mags. Refer to your piece as a "pre-series 80" commander. There were no series 70 commanders....

put a fresh spring in the Colt magazine, and give away the mecgar.Sound advice!

[1911Tuner]

Anyway, the pistol jams intermittently, especially with the last two rounds in the magazine.


"Jam" is pretty generic. Describe in detail what the gun does...when, and under what circumstances.

For the record. True jams are fairly rare. A jam locks the pistol up solidly, requiring more than a second or two to clear. Most "jams" are simple stoppages that can be cleared quickly.

[larry starling]

Yours is from 1975. Leave the scratches be, honest wear is ok. Start messing with it and the value plummets. Followers are the metal or nylon "tops" of your mags that feed the round to the barrel. I suggest as well .....you need good mags. Refer to your piece as a "pre-series 80" commander. There were no series 70 commanders....

Sound advice!
+1 to what Paul said..... ;)

[lindermant]

sromley, that's a great looking commander! You'll be smitten once you get her sorted out :D

[tonyniev]

you may get some information on the threads of my similar previous postings:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=25122

and this:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=25223

using the information provided by members of this forum, I was able to "fix" the 'jamming" of 1973 manufactured Colt Commander in 9 mm, by changing the recoil spring, buying new magazines and adjusting the extractor tension.

here is the photo:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?p=239337#post239337

[sromley]

"Jam" is pretty generic. Describe in detail what the gun does...when, and under what circumstances.

OK, so I purchased the metalform magazine. Stopped what some have called Stove piping, I think. The cartridge gets stuck in a position where it won't load into the chamber and is pointed upwards. So - Fixed - Yeay.. I realized I had an older metalform magazine that did not "stove pipe" as often.

But now a new problem has reared it's ugly head. Spent cartridges don't eject all the time. This is a random problem. The guy shooting next to me is pretty knowledgeable, and thought the problem could be a too heavy recoil spring...

I went with a 16 lb spring from Wolff because I didn't know any better. What do you all think about the variable rate recoil springs from Wolff? I've been told they can help with cartridge eject problems...

BTW, the guy next to me said the commander kicks pretty hard for a 9MM. I tried his Nighthawk custom 45 acp, and didn't feel too much difference.

In the meantime, if I do need to get a gunsmith to check it out, are there any suggestions for the SF Bay Area??

I want to use my commander for IDPA and Action Pistol events. Though I'm new to IDPA and Action Pistol, I have been shooting the Commander for over 10 years. It just feels right to me. Also, the size is really good for IDPA.

I don't plan on ANY modifications, because everyone tells me I'd be nuts.

[John]

Have you ever tested the extractor tension? There is an article in the Technical Issues forum, which describes how to do the test and adjust the extractor if needed. Do it and come back to us.

[sromley]

Have you ever tested the extractor tension? There is an article in the Technical Issues forum, which describes how to do the test and adjust the extractor if needed. Do it and come back to us.

The extractor was extremely dirty. While I keep the Commander very clean, I didn't even know what the heck an extractor was. I'm shooting this weekend - bet cleaning the extractor solved the problem...

[paul45]

Hope it works out for you !!

[sromley]

Took the gun to a local recommended 1911 gunsmith. The problem was a bent extractor.

Ran 500+ rounds through it this weekend and competed in an action pistol match. Not one single problem.

BTW, the gunsmith did say that this particular model is pretty rare. Is there a free source where I can get additional info? I don't know that spending $100 to get info from Colt would make much difference. I'm looking for numbers manufactured, value, etc.

I plan on continuing to shoot the gun because it gives me so much joy. BTW, the gunsmith did mention that the end of the barrel was different than newer models. The difference makes this particular model a little more accurate.

Thanks for all of your help.