Question About Potential Feed Ramp Damage to 1911

Ron · May 17th, 2009, 07:34 PM

I read somewhere that I am risking potential damage to the feed ramp of my Kimber Ultra Carry by using mags that have followers that do not have skirts.

Based on my understanding of what that means, the mag that came with my Kimber and the Metalform mags that I bought do not appear to be skirted.

So, my question for you experienced 1911 folks is whether that is correct? Am I, in fact, risking damaging my feed ramp by using these mags?

And, is there a way to check to see whether there is a risk?

Jmac00 · May 18th, 2009, 12:26 AM

what? exactly are you calling a "skirt"

The mag itself does not interact with the feed ramp in any way. the only way to damage a feed ramp is with a cartridge slamming into it. But that would jam the action?

rocky · May 18th, 2009, 12:52 AM

I remember some talk about the standard style split follower causing possible damage to the feed ramp area of alum. framed guns , but have not noticed any issues with my SA champ. Wait till one of the 1911 gurus (OD, JD, ect ) to get teh whole scoop, or try posting on a 1911 specific site.

Captain Crunch · May 18th, 2009, 01:52 AM

I have replaced the steel followers in all the magazines (10, at last count) that I use in my LW Commander with Wilson Combat polymer followers, to prevent possible damage to the feed ramp.

It probably doesn't matter, since, after all, Colt uses steel followers in their factory mags.

But it makes me feel better.

QKShooter · May 18th, 2009, 10:11 AM

With an Aluminum frame it's possible to get a horizontal line area dinged onto the frame feed ramp from a mag follower.
That marking will be slightly below the portion of the frame rame that contacts the bullet nose during the feed.

So...that is usually not the cause of any actual feed related problems.

The 1911 actually uses very little of the frame feed ramp during the feed cycle.
The frame feed ramp acts more like a wedge to cam the bullet nose up into the barrel ramp/chamber.

I think what happens is that a pistol will have feeding problems...the owner will carefully "look over" the pistol and "spot those marks" on the frame ramp & just assume that is what must be causing the feed problem.

In reality it usually an improperly tuned and tensioned extractor or a rough breech face that is hanging up the feed.

If you're concerned about it though you can always buy aftermarket replacement followers (as per Capn' Crunch) and eliminate the issue as a possibility.

I would only be concerned about it if you are trying to get a 1911 to feed wadcutters since they use more of the ramp.

Just FYI.

If you want to test that out for yourself...you can remove the slide - put the barrel back on using the slide stop and hold it tight to the frame...insert a loaded magazine and use the eraser portion of a pencil to move the top cartridge forward in the magazine until it contacts the ramp.

Also...if you DO have a 1911 with a seriously damaged, altered or "screwed with" frame feed ramp you have 2 options.
You can have a good 1911 "smith" install a ramped barrel OR you can have the original frame ramp area milled out and a replacement Steel frame ramp can be installed to replace it.

OD · May 19th, 2009, 01:40 AM

I would not carry a Devel (the type follower shown as a McCormick) spit follower in an aluminum framed 1911, they can play havoc with them.

Ron · May 19th, 2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OD

I would not carry a Devel (the type follower shown as a McCormick) spit follower in an aluminum framed 1911, they can play havoc with them.

What about the Metalform steel mag shown with the fixed steel leg? That is the mags I have. Are they a potential problem?

And, thanks guys for your very helpful responses.

Jmac00 · May 19th, 2009, 08:49 AM

OKAY, that answers the question of what a skirt is?

OD · May 19th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

What about the Metalform steel mag shown with the fixed steel leg? That is the mags I have. Are they a potential problem?

And, thanks guys for your very helpful responses.

I wouldn't have any worries with the Metalform skirted magazines, the skirted followers cannot tip forward and come into contact with the feed ramp. I actually prefer the metal followers over the plastic ones (with the exception of the Tripp Cobra mags).

Ron · May 19th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OD

I wouldn't have any worries with the Metalform skirted magazines, the skirted followers cannot tip forward and come into contact with the feed ramp. I actually prefer the metal followers over the plastic ones (with the exception of the Tripp Cobra mags).

I was asking about the Metalform no front skirt 8 round mag fixed steel leg, shown in the picture next to the 7 round Metalform long skirt length mag.

That is the mag I have. Do I need to be concerned about ramp damage to my aluminum Ultra Carry using those mags.

Thanks.

May 17th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#1
Ron Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,527	Question About Potential Feed Ramp Damage to 1911 I read somewhere that I am risking potential damage to the feed ramp of my Kimber Ultra Carry by using mags that have followers that do not have skirts. Based on my understanding of what that means, the mag that came with my Kimber and the Metalform mags that I bought do not appear to be skirted. So, my question for you experienced 1911 folks is whether that is correct? Am I, in fact, risking damaging my feed ramp by using these mags? And, is there a way to check to see whether there is a risk? __________________ "It does not do to leave a dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him." J. R. R. Tolkien

May 18th, 2009, 12:26 AM	#2
Jmac00 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 508	what? exactly are you calling a "skirt" The mag itself does not interact with the feed ramp in any way. the only way to damage a feed ramp is with a cartridge slamming into it. But that would jam the action? __________________ 'You don't need God anymore, you have us Democrats.' - Nancy Pelosi (Quoted 2006)

May 18th, 2009, 12:52 AM	#3
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,083	I remember some talk about the standard style split follower causing possible damage to the feed ramp area of alum. framed guns , but have not noticed any issues with my SA champ. Wait till one of the 1911 gurus (OD, JD, ect ) to get teh whole scoop, or try posting on a 1911 specific site. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

May 18th, 2009, 01:52 AM	#4
Captain Crunch 1943 - 2009 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 10,408	I have replaced the steel followers in all the magazines (10, at last count) that I use in my LW Commander with Wilson Combat polymer followers, to prevent possible damage to the feed ramp. It probably doesn't matter, since, after all, Colt uses steel followers in their factory mags. But it makes me feel better. __________________ When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains, And go to your God like a soldier. Rudyard Kipling Terry

May 19th, 2009, 01:40 AM	#6
OD VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vatican City Posts: 3,302	I would not carry a Devel (the type follower shown as a McCormick) spit follower in an aluminum framed 1911, they can play havoc with them. __________________ OD "Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...." -------------------------------------------- *"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper*

May 18th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#5
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,499	With an Aluminum frame it's possible to get a horizontal line area dinged onto the frame feed ramp from a mag follower. That marking will be slightly below the portion of the frame rame that contacts the bullet nose during the feed. So...that is usually not the cause of any actual feed related problems. The 1911 actually uses very little of the frame feed ramp during the feed cycle. The frame feed ramp acts more like a wedge to cam the bullet nose up into the barrel ramp/chamber. I think what happens is that a pistol will have feeding problems...the owner will carefully "look over" the pistol and "spot those marks" on the frame ramp & just assume that is what must be causing the feed problem. In reality it usually an improperly tuned and tensioned extractor or a rough breech face that is hanging up the feed. If you're concerned about it though you can always buy aftermarket replacement followers (as per Capn' Crunch) and eliminate the issue as a possibility. I would only be concerned about it if you are trying to get a 1911 to feed wadcutters since they use more of the ramp. Just FYI. If you want to test that out for yourself...you can remove the slide - put the barrel back on using the slide stop and hold it tight to the frame...insert a loaded magazine and use the eraser portion of a pencil to move the top cartridge forward in the magazine until it contacts the ramp. Also...if you DO have a 1911 with a seriously damaged, altered or "screwed with" frame feed ramp you have 2 options. You can have a good 1911 "smith" install a ramped barrel OR you can have the original frame ramp area milled out and a replacement Steel frame ramp can be installed to replace it.

May 19th, 2009, 08:49 AM	#8
Jmac00 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 508	OKAY, that answers the question of what a skirt is? __________________ 'You don't need God anymore, you have us Democrats.' - Nancy Pelosi (Quoted 2006)

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