1911 malfunction. case in front of extractor ftf on last round.

[Greg Bell]

Hey guys,

My Colt is having a weird problem. When using Wilson or Novak's 8 round mags, the gun will have a ftf on the last round in the mag every two or three mags. The cartridge will be about 30% in the chamber but the base of the round will be in front of the extractor. In other words, the round is almost in, but for some reason the case is in front of the extractor hook, rather than being caught by it. All you have to do is sort of pull the slide back a bit and the round will usually go in.

Also, the brass is scattered in a rainbow. Some front, some side, some waaay to the side, some behind.


Any clues?

[paul45]

Quite a few guys here are much more aware than I of issues like yours.....but here is what I would do in your case........check extractor adjustment and I personally have not had luck with Wilsons or Novak ....or any 8 round mags.

I use 7 round mags and think this kit is good.....

http://www.trippresearch.com/CVS/products/1911/1911.html

click on upgrade kits........

[1911Tuner]

>>When using Wilson or Novak's 8 round mags<<

the gun will have a ftf on the last round in the mag every two or three mags. The cartridge will be about 30% in the chamber but the base of the round will be in front of the extractor

CLEW! CLEW! :D

The last round is jumping the follower, either because the spring tension isn't sufficient to keep it from moving ahead of the feed position...or there isn't a mechanical restriction to prevent the same. See "Function of the Dimple" for a clearer understand of what's causing it.

Jumping the follower is probably the single biggest cause of broken or de-tensioned extractors.

Tip:

An oversprung slide will make this little trick more likely to occur.

Tip 2:

Posting functional problems in the gunsmithing section will generally bring on a faster response. This one just happened to be on top as I whizzed past the manufacturer's pages, and it caught my eye.

[Greyswindir]

Sheesh Tuner!...You beat me to it! ;)

How am I supposed to learn if you're always answering the fun post before me! Somebody finally posts a question that I can adequately answer and you swoop down like a hawk and carry it home! :lm:

[1911Tuner]

Gotta get up pretty early in the mornin' to get the jump on the ol' Gunny.

I rise and shine at 0400 7/365. Been that way for near 40 years. ;)

[Tom]

I rise and shine at 0400 7/365. Been that way for near 40 years.
Greyswindir, you gotta keep Tuner from adding the salt to his morning coffee. Or better yet, just wash his coffee mug. That'll take the starch outta his sails. ;)

[Greg Bell]

I have no idea what power spring is in the gun. I have some 16 pound springs. Do you think I should drop those in and try them this weekend?

[Greyswindir]

Yeah really!

But I'd probably never get past his dog! I rise pretty early too, but not that early!

[1911Tuner]

But I'd probably never get past his dog!


Dog? I should be so lucky. There are 16 dogs here...

[garrettwc]

Greyswindir, you gotta keep Tuner from adding the salt to his morning coffee. Or better yet, just wash his coffee mug.

But doesn't mixing any sort of commercial cleaning product with Turbo Coffee residue create a level III Hazmat incident? :D

[dsonyay]

I have no idea what power spring is in the gun. I have some 16 pound springs. Do you think I should drop those in and try them this weekend?

If you have a 5" 1911 I think 16# is the correct one. Many are sold with heavy-duty springs that are 18#. But to double check, go to the Wolff website or ISMI website to verify.

I had the EXACT same problem. What solved it for me was going back to the 7rd Colt brand mags (the actual factory type) or buying through Checkmate Industries (they make the mags for Colt (look for the 7round with Hybrid followers). The mags are about 25.00 for authentic Colt and about 20 for the Checkmate.

[Greyswindir]

Whoa!

Sixteen dogs! :scared:

You don't need a .45 Tuner, you need lots and lots of Gravy Train! :D

[1911Tuner]

Sixteen dogs!

Yup...and I lost one of my big Collie boys in April.

Greg...The 16-pound springs will do fine...even in a Commander, provided they've been cut to the correct number of coils.

[Greyswindir]

Sorry to hear about that Tuner...I hate it when a good dog dies.