Posted: 7/6/2008 2:02:49 PM EDT
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I purchased a brand new Springfield Armory Inc. 1911 Mil-Spec the other day. I love the gun and how it feels in my hand. I took it to the range today and fired 100 rounds of Winchester White Box ammo through the gun. I encountered some jams on the last rounds from the magazines. I'm guessing this is just a bad mag that came with the gun? I do *think* it was the same mag everytime but like a dummy I didn't mark it at all so I'm not sure. Anything else it could be? Oh yeah, I need LOTS of practice with handgun shooting! 
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| You will sometimes see this with reduced size 1911's and standard magazine springs. It can often be cured with an extra power mag spring in those cases. In the case of a full size GM platform I would also suspect a 'bad' magazine. While a stronger spring might resolve the issue, I use nothing except Wilson #47 seven rounders for all but my Colt OM (with which I use Wilson 6 rounders) and invariably leave any factory mags in the box if I get a a new 1911, so in my case it would be a moot point. |
Either 47D or 47DC. They're 8-round fullsize, with either standard (D) or slim (DC) basepads. I myself prefer the slim basepads on pistols without magwells, and use the standard basepads with my Gov't that sports a S&A magwell. |
Not to insult your taste, but flush mags are stupid on a carry pistol (as relaods). Frankly, I don't want my pistol looking like an uzi either, so I go with Wilsons with lo-profile basepads, which stick out just by a hair. Then I go with larger mags for spares/reloads. Why? Because you have something that is alot easier to slap home for a reload. Try slapping a full, flush-fitting mag home with the slide closed. It's not terribly smooth or easy. Now imagine you're under the stress of fighting for your life. Not a very good place to be fumbling with a mag (whether open or closed). ALL Wilson mags have some meat sticking out. Some are very subtle (lo-profile base pads) give a near-flush look, but they too protrude a tad from the bottom of the well. as for the 8 round mags, there is no difference to the body of the mag. Wilson 7 round mags are as big/long as the 8 rounders (the secret is using a different spring and follower). If you go with a low profile pad then the mag protrudes just a hair from the base of the gun. If you go with the 47Ds then they come with a larger base pad and you have about a finger's worth of protrusion. If you really want to preserve your taste and get the best results, you still can. Just pick a quality flush-fitting magazine or two and use those exclusively for your initial load in your weapon. Then make all your spare magazines ones that protrude past the base of the weapon for ease of reloads. That's more or less how I do it. |
| well, i can't legally carry here in the glorious state of NJ so it's really just for range duty (and HD, I suppose). I don't mind a "bit" sticking down, and I like the idea of an extra round, I just didn't know how much an 8 rounder would actually stick out below the bottom of the grip. I'll buy a few of the 47DC as they seem to be the low profile ones. Now just to find them a bit cheaper! these puppies are pricey! |
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Wilson Magazines do cost more, but there are a few things to consider... 1. 1911 magazines, even top shelf ones like Wilsons are relatively cheap. If this was an HK, you would likely be paying between $60 and $100 for a mag, depending on the vintage. 2. You often get what you pay for with 1911 products. A Wilson mag is not only one of the few problem free mags on the market, but the magazine comes with a lifetime replacement warranty (if the mag body/floorplate fails through normal use over the years). Also, the magazine floorplate slides off for trouble free cleaning and maintenance (so they can be cleaned easier and better, making for even longer reliability and durability as long as you do your part). standard welded floorplate mags are a royal PITA to disassemble and clean. The low pro mags are a great choice and a better value than the 47D with the long basepad since they charge a premium for the aluminum basepads seperately, but the whole mag is only a couple of bucks more than the standard 47D. ETA: Remember, being unable to carry doesn't mean you'll never have the misfortune of using your handgun in self-defense. Train like you would carry. Also, the heller ruling may (sooner or later) create a constitutional challenge to your state's "no carry" policy. |
Not to mention does anyone know someone who has sent a failing mag no matter how old back to Wilson and not received a replacement? I don't. |
My springer had the same problem. I re-tension the extractor. Runs perfect now. |
There are flush fit 8 round magazines out there - don't fool with them. The original flush fits held 7 rounds for a reason. Too much design compromise goes into fitting 8 while maintaining a flush fit. |
sporter, can you shed some light on this for me, in case the mags don't help me out any? Thanks! |
LOL ya know, I think you're right! I ordered 1K rounds of .45ACP. that should help him out a bit! |
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well I took it out today with the WC mags and it still did it even with one of the WC mags and one of the factory springfield mags. I'm not freaking yet since It doesn't even have 200 rounds through it. I figure it might just need to break in and smooth out?? I dunno, am I wrong? sporter, i'm taking a look at that link now! thanks.  edit: would a problem loading the last round actually h ave anything to do with the extractor? It might, It just seems opposite to me. |
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Loading EVERY round involves the extractor. It's the job of the magazine spring to make sure the round gets under the extractor. The last round has the least tension behind it since the mag spring is nearly at full extension. The extractor is probably too tight. I firmly believe that Springfield just throws the extractor into the slide at the factory without checking tension at all. |
well, I tried the extractor tuning. I tried to bend the extractor opposite of the arrow in the photo on that site since I needed to loosen it and not tighten it. I did that and then hand cycled the gun with 8 rounds from a wilson mag. it still jammed on the last round of the mag while hand cycling. any other ideas? did I not bend it enough? I didn't wanna do too much.  here is a photo of one of the jams:
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I run ED BROWN extractors in all my 3 1911's without problems. you will need to set tension on them but I can rec without reservation. It's not an exspensive part but it is one you wan't to work without fail! everytime! My Springer Mil spec came with a metal-form magazine. It worked fine. I upgrade all my 1911 mags with wolf extra power magazine springs. |
Feeding or extracting? If it's feeding, then I'm betting on the mag being not right for the gun. If it's still an extraction issue, then it may be a combo of both the extractor & the mag. The reason I think the mag is partly a culprit is it only does it on the last rd. Sorry if you've said you have already done this, but have you tried different ammo? ETA: the extractor should be able to hold an empty case against the breech face with the slide off the gun. You might try this test to see if you go it adjusted properly or not? Good luck! |
| bob, it is a feeding of the last round issue. I think the extractor is too tight. I have tried the stock springfield mags as well as some WC mags and it does it with both. I have reduced the tension of the extractor and will try it out soon at the range. if it still does it, i'll try bending it a bit more. I have only tried WWB 45ACP so far. I have some Georgia Arms reloads on order that I'm going to try out. when I did the extractor test you mention, it grips it rather tight and will not go anywhere. I think the issue is it is just too tight for the round to fully get under there on the last round with the reduced upward force of a fully extended mag spring. |
I believe you're now on the right track. Hope that works out for you! 
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