one out of four

[mayagrafix]

I pulled the slide and pressed the trigger 4 times till she fired off a shot. next trigger press did not shoot round. Whats wrong? maybe firing pin needs to be replaced? it's a Colt M1911 vintage 1918.

[1911Tuner]

Hammer fell...Right? Misfired rounds have a solid pin strike or not?


Detail! We need mo' detail!

Welcome aboard!

[mayagrafix]

Yes, hammer drops reel good.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/misfire.jpg

Good to be aboard! I REALLY APPRECIATE all the help M1911 Organization provides us newb's :)

vaya con Dios Senior!

[Ariz Commander]

If those are the primers of the rounds that did not go "Bang", you have an ammo problem. That appears to be a good solid firing pin indentation. I suggest you get yourself a box of fresh factory ammo and try again. If it works your problem is solved. What kind of ammo were you using? I'd like to know so that I never make the mistake of buying any!!

[1911Tuner]

Okay...pin strikes look strong enough to light a primer. Looks like the headspace could be the culprit...as in chamber shoulder being cut too deep.
If you have a headspace gauge set, check it. If you don't, you can determine the headspace by using a fired, resized case and a small set of automotive feeler gauges.

Get the case into the chamber and put the barrel in the slide. You'll probably have to work the rim under the extractor as you slip the barrel forward and into the battery position. Be sure that the barrel is fully up in the slide. Use the feeler gauges to wedge between the breechface and the back of the rim until you find one that is a little too thick to go without forcing it. You may need to let the barrel drop a little as you approach the thickest blade that will fit, and push it back into the slide. When you get to this point, see how much it takes to pull the gauge out. Take note of the thickness. Remove the case and measure its overall length. Add the two figures together. If they total more than .920 inch, your headspace is out of spec. if it is, the misfires indicate that the chamber shoulder has been cut too deep. The firing pin's energy is used in driving the case deeper into the chamber instead of in poppin' the cap.

[mayagrafix]

What kind of ammo were you using? I'd like to know so that I never make the mistake of buying any!!

Thanks Ariz for your prognostic. I'll go out and find some fresh "new in the box" ammo but I am in a third world country so you take whatever you can get (and pay thru the nose to boot!). The cartridges in question were probably soaked during a hurricane or the hunidity got inside 'em; when I bought the pistol the seller gave me a big bag full so I can't tell you the brand unfortunately.

[mayagrafix]

1911Tuner:
Thanks for your help. If the headspace is out of spec, then what is the solution? I was thinking of buying a new barrel anyway, so is this the right way to go?

I am also having feed problems but me thinks because the mags springs are to old (1940's Colt mags) or the extractor is messed up.

Also the slide seems to stick to the sear or disconector (see pix)

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/mayagrafix/sear.jpg

My new motto is: Rome was not built in day.

[1911Tuner]

First, try a fresh lot of ammo of known quality. If that doesn't fire reliably, check the headspace. If it's excessive, a new barrel is the only real cure unless you want to make your brass from .308 rifle brass and trim it to the correct length. Then you have to face the prospect of finding reloading equipment and components in your country.

The disconnect always drags on the slide a little due to sear spring tension.
As long as it doesn't actually stop the slide or slow it so much that it causes a short-cycly on the return to battery, it's good to go.

Describe your failures to feed/go to battery in detail.

[mayagrafix]

Tried some new rounds today and she worked just fine. I'll post a more complete report after this weekend when I can fire off a lot more rounds. Thanx to all for their input!