One Thing and One Thing Only

[Icemanxxxv]

So I know a standard 1911 is designed for controlled feed 230gr ball. That being said my comp gun para P14 non ramped barrel feeds 152gr semi wad cutters. I fired 10k plus through the gun years ago running and running. Albeit it's a custom built gun just dated bit. Flash forward nearly three decades and I got an itch. Bought a RIA frame rando slide and a Wilson Combat drop in barrel. I had a local smith build it up for me with Wilson parts. It feeds one thing and one thing only. 230g ball. No truncated cone semi wad cutters or hollow points. It will occasionally feed hollow point but that's rare when it happens. Seems the gun fails to get into battery by about 16th of an inch or better. I took the slide off removed the barrel put the barrel on the frame with the slide stop pin pushed it all the way to the rear and I have 3/32nds from the back of the barrel to the frame ramp. Might this be the culprit? I've tried Wilson, Check Mate and a few other mags. I'd like to shoot something else besides 230's through it.

 

[dennishoddy]

That's beyond my scope of knowledge. The Kimber Custom Stainless II would fire lead 200 grain wadcutters all day long. Actually shot them in USPSA matches without any issues. Hornady hollow point, the same, and the standard 230 grain ball ammo. Brush out the lead, and get after it again.
Are you shooting reloads or factory stuff?

 

[Icemanxxxv]

Factory and reloads. All my reloads are gauged in a Wilson cartridge gauge and running smoothly in my EDC Para (ramped barrel) and my race gun unramped. Unfortunately it's not an ammo issue it's a gun issue.

 

[joepistol]

Have you checked the barrel with a gauge ? I bought an Officer sized RIA 45, to see if a sub 4"
1911 would work properly. I'd read a lot about issues that 1911's with a < 4 " barrel have.
The owner's manual states it was made for 230gr ball ammo only. Ran perfectly with factory 230 gr ball ammo & my reloads using a 230gr FMJ bullet. Tried shooting some of my cast bullet loads, in a variety of shapes & weights. Some wouldn't chamber..completely. Took it to my gunsmith. he checked barrel w/ gauge & announced, it's a little tight at the front of the chamber. Used his chamber reamer, a few turns & now it feeds everything its fed..w/o any chambering issues.

 

[Icemanxxxv]

The gun is still the Smith shop getting the once over. As far as the barrel it's a Wilson Combat drop in.barrel. the only thing that is R.I.A. is the frame.

 

[squarebale19]

Bill Wilson talked in depth about once a 1911 is altered from it's original form, to like a defender size, how spring size n weight changes. I would check the barrel lug to see if something is rubbing wrong

 

[red442joe]

The gun is still the Smith shop getting the once over. As far as the barrel it's a Wilson Combat drop in.barrel. the only thing that is R.I.A. is the frame.

Drop in barrels for 1911's is like drop in shoes for the family...
Get a size 15, everybody can wear them...

Joe

 

[Icemanxxxv]

Smith called me today. Said gun is finished and it he believes after shooting it it will run anything that is 45 acp. From semi wadcutters to 230gr jacketed hollow point and everything in between. I pick it up tomorrow but unfortunately I won't be able to shoot it until Monday. I'll report back Monday on its reliability.

 

[jimhoag]

Did he say what the problem was?

 

[Icemanxxxv]

Did he say what the problem was?

He said he smother the transition from the frame to the barrel ramp. There was 3/32 distance from the frame ramp to the barrel ramp. That is usually 1/32 give or take a few .001

 

[Bob Lee]

He said he smother the transition from the frame to the barrel ramp. There was 3/32 distance from the frame ramp to the barrel ramp. That is usually 1/32 give or take a few .001

I hope it works out for you

 

[Icemanxxxv]

I hope it works out for you

Yeah me too! I will find out today. I found some free time for the range in my schedule

 

[Bob Lee]

Yeah me too! I will find out today. I found some free time for the range in my schedule

Excellent

 

[jimhoag]

I've found most feeding you problems are caused by ejector needs adjustment or bad magazine. Adding a drop in barrel is not really a drop in. It still needs some fitting, not as much as a gunsmith fit barrel. Your gunsmith was right 3/32 is to much distance forcing bullet into top of chamber slowing slide forward movement

 

[Mike A]

It will occasionally feed hollow point but that's rare when it happens.

JMB designed the 1911 to feed & fire the 45 ACP 230 gr. FMJ. I'm good with big slow moving FMJ projectiles getting the job done.

 

[CECannonJr]

3/32 was definitely too much. 1/32 is the sweet spot.

 

[Bob Lee]

JMB designed the 1911 to feed & fire the 45 ACP 230 gr. FMJ. I'm good with big slow moving FMJ projectiles getting the job done.

View attachment 36964

I'm definitely in your camp Mike.

 

[Mike D]

The most consistently problem free round I have found would be the 200gr lauck ammo. I remember them telling me that the original round used by JMB was the 200 ball round. I don't know which it actually was, but I do know that those 200 gr rounds are a joy to shoot, and they make nice, consistent holes. BTW, I agree with CE & Bob above, the round ball was good enough in the military, it's still good enough for me. Big holes stop dirt bags.

 

[jimhoag]

Also good enough for Jeff Cooper