Armscor FTF

[noelski]

I gave a full size Armscor cal .45 pistol and have encountered FTF nthh times with lead bullets. I have changed the weak factory recoil spring to 18lb Wolff and encountered the same FTF. Used both CMC and MecGar mags. All FMJ's functioned without hiccup.

May I ask for your valuable help? :(

[stans]

Fail to feed doesn't give enough info. Where do the rounds stop? What appears to be stopping them? What type of bullet (other than being lead) is causing the stoppage?

[Adjutant]

Hi Noel,



I don't know how valuable it is but here is some thoughts. Lead’s a drag, no pun intended, and that could be your problem. Does the round start into the chamber but not go all the way in? Polishing the ramp could solve the problem but you may want to have a pro examine it. The wrong person messing with it could destroy a nice pistol. In either case, the pistol really wasn’t designed for lead bullets but, rather, for the FMJ and that is why the factory will only warrantee FMJ. My Charles Daly EFS Field Grade (manufactured by Armscor) will feed 200 grain semi-wadcutter lead bullets all day but that is not guaranteed by the factory.



All the best in getting your problem solved so you can start enjoying you Armscor.



Bill

[noelski]

Messrs. Stans/Bill,

Lead ball ammo won't go in after the first shot was fired, it hits the upper corner or right side of the barrel entrance, preventing the ammo from entering the chamber. It is really designed for FMJ's as the manual says, but so as other 1911's. I have used colts and did not encounter the same FTF.

Lead ammo is 50% cheaper than FMJ that is the main reason why I use it

[Adjutant]

Stans can give you a more definitive answer and I defer to his expertise but it sounds like the chamber hood may be a bit rough. Somebody savvy could fix that with a dremel tool if that is what it is. But that is a guess on my part and I wouldn’t act on it. I’m no gunsmith.

I know what you mean about lead. That is why I use them. I got a deal on FMJ a while back but that is no more. I can buy Winchester white box in Wal-Mart as cheap as I can reload FMJ.

I hope you get it percolating soon.

Bill

[noelski]

Hi Bill,

Thanks and I am now zeroing on the FTF problem and just have to find a competent gunsmith. By the way, what do you think of the "old colt" style ambi safety? Have you changed yours or just left it as it is?

[stans]

What is the over all length of your lead bullet reloads? A lead round nose bullet should feed as well as a jacketed round nose bullet unless the lead is very soft.

[Adjutant]

Hi Bill,

Thanks and I am now zeroing on the FTF problem and just have to find a competent gunsmith. By the way, what do you think of the "old colt" style ambi safety? Have you changed yours or just left it as it is?
Hi Noel,



I’m not certain which one you are referring to. I believe there were two. One was extended the other was the same size as the standard thumb safety. I prefer the extended/ambidextrous safety on my CD so I left it as it came from the factory. It is rather unobtrusive yet provides more purchase than a standard thumb safety, especially that of the GI 1911. Regarding the feeding issue. Here is what some do although I am not advocating you give it a try. They place place a small piece of really fine sand paper around the end of a pencil eraser and carefully polish the ramp. Also, with all respect to my colleague my experience with lead bullets is a bit different than Stans. Copper is harder and more slick than even the hardest of lead. If you fire enough lead bullets you will see a lead residue build up on the ramp. FMJs may leave a mark but it will not be as thick as it is from the lead. Also, I believe the heat affects lead appreciably more than it does copper. I have cast my own and bought a lot of round nosed lead bullets and none were ever as hard as copper. That is my experience. However, Stans may have a source for lead bullets that is superior to anything I have ever used.



Best Wishes,



Bill

[noelski]

Hi Bill,

I'm referring to the extended ambi safety (the right side held by an extended pin) Is it okay to replace it with Kings or CMC or leave it as it is?

I will do what you suggested with the feed ramp and as you have said "carefully". I will inform you of the result. You are right about FMJ's, these are more slick than lead bullets and that is why I am not encountering FTF with FMJ's.

Many thanks

[Adjutant]

Noel, I left mine as is. The thumb safety on the commercial Colt 1911 is wider than the one on my CD but the CD extends further along the frame. This gives me better purchase with no appreciable, if any, increase of the likelihood it will snag on clothing. This is my personal preference and others may prefer something else. It would be good if you could check out a couple different ones and see which feels best to YOU but that is not always possible. My carrying of the 1911 has been in military and law enforcement service so my mind set is toward the 1911 for personal defense. Even my attitude toward steel plate matches is practice rather than gamesmanship. However, for IPSC or other of the combat shooting sports many prefer a wider ambidextrous thumb safety. Just my $.02 but I’d keep it as is for a while and see how you like it. Then if you get a chance to fire someone else’s 1911 that is set up differently you can compare and see which YOU prefer. I emphasize YOU because, although it rarely happens on this forum, on others there are those who will insist your preference matches theirs and practically insult you if you don’t agree. Just ignore them. Fortunately, most do know what they are about and are worth listening to. Just filter what they say to meet your requirements.

Hope you are enjoying that Armscor as much as I am my CD.

Bill

[Adjutant]

Noel, I left mine as is. The thumb safety on the commercial Colt 1911 is wider than the one on my CD but the CD extends further along the frame. This gives me better purchase with no appreciable, if any, increase of the likelihood it will snag on clothing. This is my personal preference and others may prefer something else. It would be good if you could check out a couple different ones and see which feels best to YOU but that is not always possible. My carrying of the 1911 has been in military and law enforcement service so my mind set is toward the 1911 for personal defense. Even my attitude toward steel plate matches is practice rather than gamesmanship. However, for IPSC or other of the combat shooting sports many prefer a wider ambidextrous thumb safety. Just my $.02 but I’d keep it as is for a while and see how you like it. Then if you get a chance to fire someone else’s 1911 that is set up differently you can compare and see which YOU prefer. I emphasize YOU because, although it rarely happens on this forum, on others there are those who will insist your preference matches theirs and practically insult you if you don’t agree. Just ignore them. Fortunately, most do know what they are about and are worth listening to. Just filter what they say to meet your requirements.

Hope you are enjoying that Armscor as much as I am my CD.

Bill

[noelski]

HI Bill,

Many thanks for your suggestions and I have learned a lot from it.

Noel