Last round FTF

[jamesp81]

I have an RIA GI-Spec 1911. First let me say it's a wonderful pistol. I imagine it's quite accurate, but my pistola skills are, well, not what they could be.

In any case, I'm having a technical issue. My pistol doesn't want to feed the last round out of a magazine. It will halfway feed the last round, but stop with the round halfway into the chamber. I only have two magazines, the factory magazine and an 8 round Chip McCormick. Seems to happen with both magazines. The gun is fairly new, less than 200 rounds through it. Is this something that is a break in issue that will clear up with time, or is there something I can do? Or are the Chip McCormick magazines not a good choice for this gun.

Thanks in advance.

[Slopoke]

I had the very same problem with my new RIA. Using a Wilson 7 rd magazine did the trick for me. The 7 rounder (and the 10 rounder) Wilson uses a raised follower shape that "bumps up " the last round into the chamber...just like if there was an additional round in the magazine. Note the 8 round Wilson uses a different follower design and will not help (been there, done that).

I suspect this problem is due to extractor tension set a bit too tight. I installed a Wilson bullet proof extractor a few days ago but have yet to try it out on the range with the 8 round magazine to see if that works also.

[doctruptwn]

3 point jam is what it is called, It can be caused by mags also but extractor tension should cause problems at any time not just the last round. If you have access to some 7 rounders try them and see what happens, If the problem goes away then you know, some folks swear by the 7 rounders as they are what the 1911 was designed for, others have no issue with the 8 rounds.

[Arondos]

Having similar problems with an RIA tactical. Seems to happen a LOT (about 50% of the time) with the factory magazine. Only once every 10 or so magazines with the power mag. SO I suspect the magazine is causing issues.

[log man]

Is the slide stop catching the take down notch? Could be.

LOG

[John]

Last round feeeding issues are usually due to weak magazine spring.

[niemi24s]

And there's no reason two different magazines coudn't both have weak springs.

You can confirm the weak spring theory by putting 2 rounds under the spring. If the problem goes away get some new springs or magazines.

Regards

[Lazarus]

Is this something that is a break in issue that will clear up with time?


James,
If you do a quick search in this forum you will find literally dozens of articles on last round failure to feed. I'm sure you will get some excellent ideas as well as photos showing the reasons behind this type of failure - many times associated with weak magazine springs and early release point (wad cutter feed lips). Just wanted to alert you to one of the industry's favorite untruths: gun "break in" - don't fall for it!

The short answer to your question is: no, the problem won't clear up by itself. In fact, it is likely to get worse. If you think about it carefully, shouldn't a new gun function at its very best when new? Of course it should. My narrow minded suggestion is to toss both your present magazines and replace them with Colt branded 7-round or Checkmate (one of Colt's suppliers) 7-rounders with extra strength magazine springs. At that point we can re-evaluate things if you still have a problem.

Lazarus