1911 Reliability

[ExSoldier]

9 times out of 10 when you have issues with reliability in a 1911 or a clone it comes down to issues with the magazines. I found a FASCINATING analysis of a number of different designs (by gun manufacturer) complete with pictures that should open a lot of eyes. The article is fairly lengthy but well worth the bookmark to read. Next time you have issues with feeding, extracting or jams in a 1911, look to your mags first.

http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/index.html

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[sniper58]

Great post! Thanks! I have had issues with most of the problems he addresses. Those problems disappeared when I switched to Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick and Novak mags.

[Devilsclaw]

Great post! Thanks! I have had issues with most of the problems he addresses. Those problems disappeared when I switched to Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick and Novak mags.

I'm not disagreeing with you, I too have used those mags to "fix" problems. But.....assuming that the standard magazine is not damaged, or that the pistol hasn't been "modified" from the original design of JMB, if an original Mil-spec mag won't work, then something is out of kilter with the gun. The mag is an easy solution. The only reason I say this, is because if changing mags does NOT fix the problem, then you need to dig deeper. You'd be very surprised by the number of pistols out there with incorrect mag-well angles. They were simply machined incorrectly.

Another problem is incorrect barrel-fit. The Wilson mag "fixes" this problem by "jumping" the round, Bo Duke-Style into the chamber.

So, it's a little like putting Bars-Leak in your radiator.....it may stop the leak, but the problem is still there. I've done this too--many times, as it's easier to "fix" the symptom than the underlying cause. I am not critisizing doing it.

Thanks for the link. The only reason I posted this, is I don't want people that are having problems, to think that , "awwww, it was just the mag". It could possibly be the gun, but if changing mags works, then that is great, as long as one doesn't have to use standard mags....ever.

[Taylor]

The only 1911 mags I have ever had a problem with were sold to me as Mil-Spec magazines. I am not saying they don't exist and I agree the mag could be covering another problem but true mil-spec mags probably dried up many years ago. Probably be hard to find a pistol built to true JMB specs also.

[glockman10mm]

I'm not disagreeing with you, I too have used those mags to "fix" problems. But.....assuming that the standard magazine is not damaged, or that the pistol hasn't been "modified" from the original design of JMB, if an original Mil-spec mag won't work, then something is out of kilter with the gun. The mag is an easy solution. The only reason I say this, is because if changing mags does NOT fix the problem, then you need to dig deeper. You'd be very surprised by the number of pistols out there with incorrect mag-well angles. They were simply machined incorrectly.

Another problem is incorrect barrel-fit. The Wilson mag "fixes" this problem by "jumping" the round, Bo Duke-Style into the chamber.





So, it's a little like putting Bars-Leak in your radiator.....it may stop the leak, but the problem is still there. I've done this too--many times, as it's easier to "fix" the symptom than the underlying cause. I am not critisizing doing it.

Thanks for the link. The only reason I posted this, is I don't want people that are having problems, to think that , "awwww, it was just the mag". It could possibly be the gun, but if changing mags works, then that is great, as long as one doesn't have to use standard mags....ever.

If you buy a quality 1911 from the start, like a Colt or Springer, or one of the custom makers, a bad magazine spring will be all you have to worry about, as a general rule.

When people take a perfectly functional quality 1911 and start altering it with nonsensical BS, and they dont know what in the hell their doing, thats where trouble starts.

[DRM]

Agreed...

I think Dremels should be licensed as they are the #1 cause of 1911 problems.

[bmcgilvray]

Thanks for the link. I'm adding it to favorites. Need to clean out favorites.

Never had any particular problem with most magazines. I squushed a Vietnam era contract magazine once that was trouble and couldn't be fixed to be reliable.

[Mike1956]

Agreed...

I think Dremels should be licensed as they are the #1 cause of 1911 problems.

With defective field jacket sleeves following close behind.

[Blue Thunder]

I have never had any issues with my 1911 mags as they are all Wilson Mags and do not have issues in competetion or "Social Issues". Good luck with your mags. Mine also get cleaned once a year, after shooting the "Social Ammo" I store in them the best "Social Ammo" I can buy which is Winchester +T and Cor-Bon +T 45ACP ammo which is a total of 20 mags which also have the base plates installed.

[QKShooter]

Remember that MIL SPEC magazines were intended for Mil Ball ammunition. There are a lot more .45ACP bullet nose configurations & Overall Cartridge Lengths out there these days.

[DRM]

Remember that MIL SPEC magazines were intended for Mil Ball ammunition. There are a lot more .45ACP bullet nose configurations & Overall Cartridge Lengths out there these days.

Right on...

And there a lot of junk parts and junk 1911's out there, too. Poor quality and workmanship.

[e4dan]

Very nicely researched and presented article. Gives much "food for thought" when you are chasing a feeding problem.

Still, when you have a gun/mag SYSTEM that works reliably it might be unwise to pursue "experimentation." At this point I'd stick with glockman10mm's recommendation that "a bad magazine spring will be all you have to worry about."

[multistage]

People say the 1911 is an antique design. Kind of like the internal combustion engine.

[QKShooter]

I have posted this photo on DC in the past. The Tripp Research COBRAMAG and how it MAY (or may not) solve some 1911 FTF feed issues.
Notice how the COBRAMAG feed lips position the top cartridge slightly higher up and at a slightly steeper angle to the frame feed ramp and the barrel chamber. If you are a 1911 owner having feed malf issues then you might want to try one.

[Elk Hunter]

Good article thanks. and thanks for the pictures QKShooter.