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AR15.COM
8/5/2016 11:44:59 PM EDT
I have a 1911 that will not reliably chamber hollow points. I have used a couple different types of hollow point, my favorite carry round being hornady critical defense, but cannot get the weapon to reliably chamber. If I rack it with a bit of force it will chamber but not particularly smoothly 9/10 times and not chamber at all on the other. I have noticed that it will set the round back in the casing if it gets hung up. I have been throwing those rounds away because I am uncertain as to their reliability. I have also tried a few different mags and all of them have the same problem. What is the issue and how can I fix it?
8/6/2016 5:03:32 AM EDT
[#1]
If you have issues with Federal JHPs, then you have a problem.

Some critical defense Horny bullets have too sharp of a lip on them an get stuck between the frame feed ramp and barrel ramp.
8/6/2016 10:54:04 AM EDT
[#2]
I would make sure the extractor is not an issue first. Is your extractor properly tuned, beveled, rounded, smoothed and polished? If the round cannot slide smoothly under the extractor that is a problem. Once you are certain the extractor is not the issue, then make certain your feed ramp is absolutely smooth, along with the top of the chamber.

Extractor Tips
8/6/2016 12:30:35 PM EDT
[#3]
Are you talking about not fully loading when hand racking the first round only, or are you having malfunctions when firing too?
If the gun runs them otherwise , do not judge the round by how it hand cycles- different dynamics.
Getting firmly wedded to one HP design in an era with literally a couple dozen good choices is foolish. Find one that runs reliably and buy a few boxes.
Also constantly loading unloading makes no sense either.
Damaged rounds save for practice and buy a bullet puller to correct setback in the affected ammo.
8/6/2016 2:25:57 PM EDT
[#4]
1 - Almost all 1911 feed issues are due to the extractor being too tight.  Make sure it is properly tensioned.

2 -  Critical Defense is the last ammo I would want to use for carry.  Hornady designed it to under-perform against the FBI/IWBA penetration criteria.

3 - If all else fails, Remington's Golden Saber has a very friendly feed profile that seems to feed well in everything.  The older rounds had a bad issue with core/jacket sepparation, but the new "Bonded" GS rounds are quite good, assuming you can find any.
8/8/2016 3:38:14 AM EDT
[#5]
I can rack my wilson with HP's and force a jam if I go slow enough. You have to shoot the gun with HP's and see if that hangs it up.
8/8/2016 8:03:39 AM EDT
[#6]
While a bit pricey you may want to try the Corbon Powerball ammo from 9mm +P to 45 ACP (Hot rounds).

http://shopcorbon.com/9mm-luger-p-100gr-pow-rball

http://shopcorbon.com/pistol-calibers/45-auto/45-auto-p-165gr-pow-rball

Great performer at all levels in nearly every pistol...

I also agree, often its the 1911 extractor that needs tuning for proper feeding, then check your mags for
any possible Issues...

Good luck.
8/8/2016 2:27:50 PM EDT
[#7]
What is the make/model of your 1911?  I've had some issues in my Colt with the Hornady critical defense, but all of my 1911's love Federal HST's FWIW.
8/8/2016 7:20:41 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
What is the make/model of your 1911?  I've had some issues in my Colt with the Hornady critical defense, but all of my 1911's love Federal HST's FWIW.
View Quote

Critical Defense isn't a friend of unramped 1911s.

Federal HST is the gold standard.

Winchester PDX is also pretty good.
8/8/2016 10:25:47 PM EDT
[#9]
IMO, if it won' run with HST's or Gold Dots don't bubba with it.  Either find a competent 1911 smith and shell out the bucks for a reliability package or trade it for another gun or platform.
8/12/2016 8:36:06 PM EDT
[#10]
I ended up getting rid of it. I carry my Glock 30S more often than I carried it and I wanted a Sig P238 anyway.