New .38 Super Colt Govt Model range day

[JCP364]

Ok, I went to the range this morning and put 100 rounds through the new 38 Super. I used Winchester USA 38 SUPER +P, 130 GR. FMJ. These are square nosed bullets. I was much more accurate with it than with my 45 ACP, given I haven't shot much in the last 5 yrs. I was very please with its accuracy, and know I'll get better with it. My issue is that out of the 100 rounds, I had two jams, and three times the slide did not lock open when the last round was fired.

I have read here there is some "break in" for new firearms, is this what is happening, or is this a potential issue?

Thanks

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
The slide not locking back is probably either the magazine or slide loc causing problems but it could be the ammo didn't cycle the slide back far enough on those few malfunctions you had.
When you say 'jam' what happened and what position was the cartridge in when it jammed?

[JCP364]

The jam I'm referring to is the shell won't completely enter the chamber and the slide stops such that you can see the back half of the cartridge. I pulled the slide back a hair each time and it loaded the cartridge. As I'm writing this, I'm wondering if I should mark the magazines to see if it is related to one or the other?

Thanks,

Jim Powell

[Joni Lynn]

The cartridge is in line with the chamber and just needs to move forward or is it at somewhat of an angle? Is the case all the way up under the extractor?

[JCP364]

I believe cartirdge is aligned left to right, but the back end of the cartirdge is low, it seems the front end is binding in the throat? I can't answer the last question. Looks like I have to go back soon!

Thanks,

Jim Powell

[Joni Lynn]

It may be stopping due to too much extractor tension or a weak recoil spring.
You're not running a shok buff are you?

[JCP364]

Nope, the gun is new right out of the box.

Thanks,

JCP

[Joni Lynn]

I'm going with too much extractor tension.
Remove the slide from the frame and take out the barrel.
First drop a round in the barrel and see how it goes in, should seat flush with the rear of the hood.
Next slide the round up under the extractor and see how hard it is to move into positon.

[JCP364]

A bullet drops into the barrel very effortlessly. It has that characteristic "thump" when it seats. As well as, dropping the bullet in vertically, I can hold the bullet at a fairly large angle off vertical and it slips into the barrel easily.
It is not, however, flush with the hood, but below the hood by about a 1/3 rd of the thickness of the rim.

The bullet does slide under the extractor fairly easily.

Thanks for your help,

JCP

[Joni Lynn]

Hmm.............running out of ideas here.
The next time it jams on you, if you can do so safely, press the front of the barrel against something (not your hand) and see if the cartridge feeds in then. If it does then I think that would mean that the barrel has moved forward and thus also moved up a bit as the bullet is entering the chamber.
Above all, BE VERY SAFE if you are going to do that.

[TattooPaul]

Field strip from the receiver the slide and insert a round into the extractor. Rotate the slaide and shake very gently. It should hold. If it drops overly easy - needs more tension. If it stays put no matter how much jarring at any angle - too much tension.

Chamber may need a slight ream. Ramp issues? - Just brainstorming…

After this - post a thread in the tuning, maintenance or troubleshooting section.

[JCP364]

I did some reading in the M1911.org this afternoon, and have figured out that one of the magazines' follower was not ending up as high as the other one. When doing the Slide Lock on empty magazine test from John's checklist in troubleshooting, it was quickly apparent that the one with the low follower would not lock the slide. If I use a pencil and work the follower up and down it seemed to help, but I think I will return it to Colt.

I did call them today and asked about the round not being flush with the hood and I'm supposed to get an email answer back. I should be at the range again early next week with another type of ammo. With Valentines day, and the wife's birthday on Tuesday, I've been pretty busy!

Thanks for your help

JCP

[msjdgman]

Ok, I went to the range this morning and put 100 rounds through the new 38 Super. I used Winchester USA 38 SUPER +P, 130 GR. FMJ. These are square nosed bullets. I was much more accurate with it than with my 45 ACP, given I haven't shot much in the last 5 yrs. I was very please with its accuracy, and know I'll get better with it. My issue is that out of the 100 rounds, I had two jams, and three times the slide did not lock open when the last round was fired.

I have read here there is some "break in" for new firearms, is this what is happening, or is this a potential issue?

Thanks
While I also think that extractor tension is potentially the main issue, I`m also wondering a little about the Winchester ammo adding to the problem. I`ve found that this ammo tends to run a little towards the longer OAL side than many other ammo sources. So if the bullet is a little long, and perhaps the extractor needs tuning...you have a failure to return to battery. Try Rem UMC and see how that runs for you.

[GunN4U]

Assuming yours is a model O2991, I bought one brand new last year. For the first couple hundred rounds or more it frequently failed to feed and would occasionally lock open with one round remaining in the magazine. I hung with it and after about 400 or 500 rounds it smoothed out. Now it functions flawlessly.

[JCP364]

Thanks again for all the help, I did put a round under the extractor and can rotate the slide around the barrel axis and then rotate the slide end over end, and the round stays. If I shake the slide the round falls out pretty easily. Am posting this in the troubleshooting section now.

Thanks,

JCP

[JCP364]

I went to the range and put 200 more rounds through the new 38 Super. I posted my results in the 'troubleshooting' forum. The bottom line is I think I just have to send one mag back to Colt for exchange.

Thanks to all of you for your help

Jim