Problems Feeding with JHP

[eggmcmuffin]

It was a sad day when I had to switch defensive ammo. If I had to guess, I would say the 1911 wasn't originally designed to feed my favorite .45, the Federal Hydra-Shok 230gr JHP. I came to this upsetting conclusion by trying repeatedly, without success (using different magazines too), to feed the initial first round into my Springfield Loaded M1911-A1 (PX9151L). I wasn't expecting this to happen, considering everything was fine while I carried the Hydra-Shok JHP in my HK for the years prior. Never a problem of any kind. Now my first new 1911 comes around and has to make waves. WTF? I think it may also be important to remember that it's still "amateur night" with me and 1911s. Maybe I'm missing something.

So while looking for options, I came across the Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket. Nasty. Though it is a light 165gr, it manages to out-perform the heavier 230gr Hydra-Shok in both velocity and energy. More importantly, they feed without any problem, much like any target FMJ. I am happy with this as an alternative; and I will on occasion, carry my HK with the JHPs - after all, variety IS the spice of life. However, I am still curious to know if anyone has had similar feeding problems with their 1911s using similar if not the same JHPs? If so, how was the situation remedied? Thank you in advance for all of your feedback.

[stans]

John Moses Browning designed the 1911 to feed military ball ammo, JHP's are sometimes difficult when it comes to reliability. Question: Is your HydraShok ammo the old stuff loaded with a truncated cone style bullet or the newer stuff that has a bullet with a rounded ogive? JHP's with a rounded ogive, similar to ball ammo, tend to be more reliable.

Also, with the mag out and chamber empty, pull the slide back and look at the relationship of the bottom edge of the barrel and the top edge of the frame feed ramp. There needs to be about 0.030" between the two when you look straight down the mag well. If the barre feed ramp is at or extends over the frame feed ramp edge, it will only feed ball ammo unless the barrel is modified. Since you are new to the 1911, I would not suggest making this modification yourself, you can get into trouble real fast.

If this is a new gun, you can contact the factory and they may service the gun under warranty. Otherwise, you may need a gunsmith who is well versed in the 1911.

[Chuck S]

EFMJ is available in 200gr +P and will work even from my pair of shorties. Give it a try. Heavier bullets are almost always better performers than light in the same caliber.

-- Chuck