[Forstr]

I'm also contemplating a test of sorts: To shoot the GI, without cleaning it, until experiencing a malfunction. This would likely be a rather long term test, as my shooting habits are somewhat erratic (not by choice, I assure you). Here are some guidlines. Chime in at will, with any suggestions. I'll probably start a new thread when I get it all figured out.

1. I will keep a log of all rounds fired, and types of ammo
2. During this same time, I will be function-testing various HP ammo (I will try to do this before many rounds of ball get fired, so as to eliminate the crud factor as cause for unreliable cycling).
2.a. Malfunctions with HP ammo will not be counted before I evaluate and pick a HP carry round. After that time, my carry ammo will be fair game in the test.
3. I will not strip the pistol to clean during this time. I will only apply a few drops of oil here and there (barrel, hammer/sear, disconnector, slide stop, link).

Any other ideas?

 

[OD*]

Forstr,

I went 2000 rounds of mixed loads in my GI (230gr. LRN over 6.0gr. Universal and assorted factory), before I got tried of carrying a dirty weapon. :tongue:

 

[rocky]

Forstr, thats 1 nasty finish on the compact. Hope mine doesn't peel like that.

 

[Forstr]

OD, sounds like you beat me to it...I'll probably still do it though.

Rocky, I hope so too...do you carry yours all the time? If so, then I'd say mine is an anomoly. Not sure what else it could be: I've never used anything but hoppe's, rem oil, or CLP.

 

[OD*]

Forstr,

I would sir, mine was the Government, it would be interesting to see how your Champ does.

 

[Forstr]

Heading to the woods for the final weekend of deer season...hope to put 100 rounds through it, depending on how the hunt goes. Hopefully I'll have more to post on Monday.

Another observation while I'm at it: This thing WILL be dehorned. These sharp edges are gonna shred my leather (especially the muzzle end) if I carry it with any regularity.

 

[Forstr]

Put another 100 rounds through her yesterday. I had one stovepipe incedent. So far, that's 130 rounds with one stovepipe. If I could pick a malfunction to have, it would be this one. I believe the unflared, high wall port leads to this...I may consider lowering/flaring to port if I experience more of this.

I guess this experiement is over, if I'm going by the stated parameters. But I will probably still wait to strip and clean it until I have 500-600 rounds through it. I'll keep adding oil though, as the oil/powder residue mix will help lap the slide cuts and frame rails and smooth it up.

 

[maclean3]

Sounds like she's coming along pretty well. So, this is going to be a carry weapon then?

 

[Forstr]

My primary carry weapon will likely remain the SA Compact, but at times I will also carry the GI. Mainly I wanted a backup, should my compact be out of commision. I definitely want to work out any bugs before doing so. Now that deer season is out, I should be able to shoot more, so I'll keep the thread updated.

 

[fed_wif_a_sig]

Forstr....just a suggestion. I didnt see any mention about working on the feed mouth. Ya might try loading a few empty cases and see how it handles that. If its a carry gun, having the barrel/feedramp matched and polished would be one of my first investments.

Just a thought.

 

[Forstr]

Why would I want to load an empty case? Seems to me that, aside from the apples/oranges comparison between a live round and empty case, the sharp brass edge could booger up the feed ramp and/or chamber. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You raise a good point though. I hadn't thought of examining the feed ramp and chamber, only because it hasn't had any problems feeding. I suppose it is possible that the chamber, extractor, or ejector could have caused the stovepipe, by not allowing the round to be pulled out and tossed. But at this point, I'm willing to believe that the single stovepipe incedent (out of 130 rounds) was an outlier. More rounds downrange will tell.

Tonight I'll compare the barrels of the GI and the compact (particularly the feed ramp and chamber/throat area), as they both use a ramped bull barrel.

Supposed to hit the range on Saturday, so I'll post another report thereafter.

 

[OD*]

Some say that a pistol that can feed empty casings should be able to feed any bullet profile, I haven't found that to be true, necessarily. IMHO, it is a cute parlor trick that can be manipulated by using virgin brass.

The gun needs a properly tensioned extractor, a good polish job on the feed ramp, barrel throat and good magazines. A polished breach face helps immensely too.
Then again, a well tuned 1911 should have these things anyway. :tongue: :wink:

 

[maclean3]

Agreed OD!... To pretty much everything you just said. LOL
I'd be quicker to check the extractor adjustment than to have the ejection port lowered and flared as that'd alter the "GI" configuration. I'm not 'smith and can't give clear instructions on how it's done but I'm sure one of the other JMB fans here probably can - if not I know there's instructions for extractor adjustments over on the 1911Forum.

Still, at this stage in the young girl's life I'm not sure a single stovepipe is anything to be overly concerned with. Could be ammo related or just a break-in issue that never happens again.
Jack

 

[OD*]

I wouldn't worry about it at this time either Jack, it may just be settling in. :wink:

 

[Forstr]

I finally got out today and put about 400 rounds through the GI champ. The pistol still hadn't been cleaned, after a total of a little over 500 rounds.

Today I had 3-4 stovepipes...I'd have to say that I am pleased. Here are a few more observations:

1. I will be getting an extended thumb safety of some sort...something not too drastic, so as to keep more of the standard look. I like to use it as a rest for my thumb, and the milspec safety sure does dig in after a while.

2. The standard grip safety doesn't bother me...I'll keep that.

3. I will lower the port (don;t know if I'll flare it or not). I think that will take care of the ejection issues, although I don't consider it a real "issue" at less than 1% FTE, within the first 500 rounds at that.

4. Will swap the grips for something slim, not sure what.

5. I really want the bobtail conversion.

6. Pistol will need dehorning to ride in my nice leather.

At 7 yards I was tearing a jagged hole a couple inches wide, firing rather quickly. Obviously, I'm not that great of a shot, but it's more accurate than I am, surely.