1911s and hollowpoints

[QuickStrike]

My SA mil-spec has been feeding perfect with ball ammo for a little over 3 thousand rounds...


Tried to chamber a gold dot hollowpoint the other day. No worky. The first round in the mag would always get in a 3 point jam (round contacts magazine feed lips, feed ramp & slide).

The rest after the first round would sometimes feed and sometimes not...

Should I try mags with a follower that places the rounds higher/at a better angle? Which mags?


Should I just accept the 1911 design's weird ramp angle and try different ammo?

Edit: mags used were factory mags and McCormick's power 10's.

[jwinch2]

My SA mil-spec has been feeding perfect with ball ammo for a little over 3 thousand rounds...


Tried to chamber a gold dot hollowpoint the other day. No worky. The first round in the mag would always get in a 3 point jam (round contacts magazine feed lips, feed ramp & slide).

The rest after the first round would sometimes feed and sometimes not...

Should I try mags with a follower that places the rounds higher/at a better angle? Which mags?


Should I just accept the 1911 design's weird ramp angle and try different ammo?

Edit: mags used were factory mags and McCormick's power 10's.

I know several friends that have similar problems. There are three solutions that I am aware of.

First, you can try different ammo. Some rounds such as federal hydrashocks worked just find but hornady tap did not, or vice versa for that matter, in the weapons that I have seen.

The other thing to consider is that on the mil spec 1911 from SA there is no feedramp. Other versions of 1911's from SA such as the operator, have a Wilson barrel with a feedramp, which goes a long way toward solving that problem. A new barrel may be what you need.

Finally, if you have not already bought some Wilson mags I would encourage you to do so. I am unaware of better mags for the 1911 platform.

One of those three, or all, should fix your situation. If you go with the new mags and barrel, you will probably be able to fire pretty much whatever ammo you want.

Long story short, 1911's are like AR's in that they are pure money pits...

Hope that helps!

Jason

[givo08]

As far as I know, the SA Milspecs do not have a throated barrel so they will not feed most JHPs. You need to either have the barrel throated or stick to FMJ designs for defense ammo like Corbon Powerball or Federal EFMJ.

[mpardun]

I know I am opening this thread up to getting derailed, but the closest "hollowpoint" round that you will find that will feed reliablly in your SA will be the Corbon (Glaser) Powerball:




https://www.dakotaammo.net/shop/

[jwinch2]

As far as I know, the SA Milspecs do not have a throated barrel so they will not feed most JHPs. You need to either have the barrel throated or stick to FMJ designs for defense ammo like Corbon Powerball or Federal EFMJ.

Not trying to start an argument here but it is my understanding that while the GI does not have a throated barrel, the Mil-Spec actually does. Perhaps I am incorrect though. Hard to remember with 1911's sometimes, there are so many people making them and so many varieties out there. And I am by no means an expert when it comes to 1911's in the first place...

[maximus83]

{...} it is my understanding that while the GI does not have a throated barrel, the Mil-Spec actually does. .

Bingo. From the Springfield site:

http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=7

"A step up from the GI, the Milspec includes many improvements utilized by the US Military during the 1911's years of service. These features include: High-profile 3-dot sights, high-hand grip, beveled magazine well, polished feed ramp and throated barrel, lowered and flared ejection port, and angled slide serrations."


A Milspec should absolutely feed JHP ammo, with no problem. Call Springfield Customer service, they'll take care of you. If necessary they'll ship it back and fix it at their own expense, and you will almost certainly get something nice out of the deal, like a match barrel, a free pistol tune-up, etc. That's usually what they do in these kinds of cases.

[Daveo]

I'd echo the comment about getting other mags; even 8 rd CMCs rather than the 10rd ones. Try dropping a new recoil spring in as well.

[JHC]

I would try out Wilson magazine and Chip McCormack 8 round Power Mags. Those have fed the following loads well through a GI Ithaca, a 1967 Colt GM, a 1991 Colt Commander, and a SA TRP.
- 230 grain Winchester Ranger
- 230 grain Federal HST
- 230 Winchester Personal Defense JHP
- 200 and 230 grain Hornady TAP

I haven't tried Gold Dots in these and 230 grain GDs are probably more challenging. But I'm impressed by the new magazines when my old stock 1911's feed JHPs.

[BAC]

I'm inclined to second JHC's advice about mags. My SA Mil Spec has as much love for hollow points as it does for ball, and has a certain affinity for Hornady TAP. I've used CMC Powermags almost exclusively, though. If it persists across different ammo and mags, I suggest making good on the outstanding Springfield Armory customer service.


-B

[QuickStrike]

Thanks gents, I will try some new mags and maybe put some Ranger T's through it when I can find some.