FTRB Question

[edSky]

Hi,

Yesterday I had my first FTRB with my Nighthawk Talon. When I "ejected" the cartridge I noticed two things. First was a small crease on the case, about the size of a pinhead. It looks like it could have been a manufacturing defect since it was in a small spot and I didn't notice any other signs of compression or stress on it.

The second thing was something I came to see all too often (earlier on) with my EMP - a nice "smile" on the case about a quarter of an inch or so from the throat. I left the cartridge at the range so I can't provide a photo or a more accurate measurement. Sorry!

So, my questions are these: What is the cartridge getting hung up on that leaves the "smile"?
What is the most likely cause? (I was using UMC 230 gr, and based on my experience with UMC 9mm 115gr and the EMP I would guess it would be a power problem during cycling.)
And finally, is there anything I can do?


Thanks

[niemi24s]

The "smile" you noticed on the case is the crease created by the upper corner of the barrel's feed ramp when the cartridge experiences excessive stem bind or a 3-Point jam. This occurs when the cartridge gets stuck between the top of the chamber, the upper corner of the barrel's feed ramp and the breech face.

There's lots (and I do mean lots) of things that can cause it. And it is a very common problem with the 1911, so there's lots of info in this Forum about it.

The key piece of info we need from you is: Where was the case rim located on the breechface in relation to the extractor when the stoppage occured?

In the meantime, search the Stickies and use the site search engine to bone up on the subject.

Regards

[edSky]

Well, one thing I noticed last night when I took down the Talon was that the guide rod is two pieces. I thought it was one until last night I saw that it is two pieces screwed together to make a longer one. The two pieces had separated about a sixteenth of an inch and I've since taken care of that.

As far as whether the case was held by the ejector or what position it was in, I didn't pay attention. From now on I will make sure I do. Thanks.

[niemi24s]

Here's what things should be noted and written down whenever an FTRB occurs and then included in any future post:

• How far out of battery the slide was
• Position of the case head on the breechface in relation to the firing pin hole or the extractor (a pic of this is very helpful)
• What magazine was being used
• What ammunition was being used
• Which round in the magazine got jammed
• Whether the slide would go to battery if the back of the slide was pushed or, if not.....
• whether the gun would go to battery if the muzzle was rapped with a stick (stick, to keep hand out of harm's way)
• Whether case of the jammed round had a "smile"
• Any modifications recently done to the gun

The devil is in the details!