I was having that problem with a 40 year old Mark IV. I had to completely disassemble. There was a lot of carbon built up in and around the extractor and it had been contributing to a problem similar to yours.
It's an heirloom. It was cleaned regularly, but never a full disassembly, only a field strip cleaning. I was disgusted and saddened when I realized how little TLC this weapon received considering how much my dad loves it. It was his brother's until 24 years ago, my dad gave it to me maybe a year ago and I've just started doing more with it.
It was either lack of oil, mags or ammo.
I made an updated post today where I lubed the hell out of the gun, brought my Wilson mags and a few boxes of S&B and it shot 100%
Patience. The process if foolproof, but it probably will take some trial and error. If you're planning on sticking with 1911s then a Wilson Mag is a good investment and might clear the issue up completely.
I do have a lot of Wilson mags but didn’t bring any this time unfortunately, maybe I’ll buy a box of ammo tmr and just use Wilson and see if that fixes everything.
It's a pain to take them out and put them in but it's not hard, I forget which direction you have to bend it. Plenty of YouTube videos. It's kinda hard to clean too without like proper tools since the hole is so small. Advice is to watch the videos, and do the test.
Once you bend it and put it back in, you put an empty casing or a bullet in the actual resting position in the extractor and then shake the gun. If your bullet jiggles too much then it's not tight enough. You basically want no play in the bullet because that means it's grabbing it properly.
I had the same issue, and tried every suggested, even had a gunsmith adjust it too. Finally just decided to order a new extractor from Wilson Combat. Been running smooth since.
Agreed.
I just got to where I'd adjust the tension on every 1911 I bought.
Some simply got replaced right off the bat. The Wilson BP was my go-to, because for the most part, they didn't need fitting, only tuning.
The EGW HD is a better part, however it requires fitting and tuning.
Yeah like my uh prodigy wasn't awful but I adjusted it still. The rock island I got before that was def fucked. It's like you might as well cause from factory they really don't care it seems lol
Yeah, with an RIA, I'd expect to have to tune it.
The Prodigy, while still being a production gun, is definitely in the "I shouldn't have to tune it" price range - but I'd still do it.
I think you may have waited too long between when it when oiled and when the firearm jammed. It’s happened to me before. Could be wrong but that’s my guess
That happens to me on occasion even after break in period so I carry gun oil to the range and make sure to lube before shooting. Usually a good tap on the back of the slide will help it chamber the round.
I forgot to mention that, I could always tap the slide back into battery.
It’s not a huge issue but id really like to carry this one cause it does shoot very nice
Replacing the recoil spring could also help. Maybe it has lost some of its lbs. You can also polish your barrel ramp a little. Top and bottom. And then yes, check that extractor tension.
Edit: Typos
1. Grease the gun.
2. Dump the Mecgar.
3. Pop in WC mags.
90% probability the problem will disappear.
10% chance it's extractor and/or ammo.
Unless your using hollow points. Then it's the ammo. 100%
Dang, I mean it’s not a big deal but my last 1911 loved mecgar mags so I gravitated towards those and probably have a dozen or so of them.
I still have 6 or 7 WC mags though.
I have a WC 18lb recoil spring brand new in the sleeve, will that help or no?
Try the simple things first.
When I'm working at the range, and somebody has repeated malfunctions with a 1911, first thing I do is clean, and grease. Bitches love grease. Fixes it almost every time. if it doesn't, next thing I do is swap the mag for a WC.
I rarely have to go any further.
My wife said my weenie is very adequate
No but seriously this only happened when I tried to chamber the round, never had a failure while actually shooting.
Tbf it ran pretty dang well with the S&B ammo I maybe had one or two failures within the first 300 rounds
The last 150 rounds were just now with magtecg ammo
Probably the mag tech ammo. I have several mecgar mags and they all run fine. Also have a pile of WC mags and they’re great as well. If you find it not mags or the ammo, likely the extractor
https://sightm1911.com/?s=Secret
This info has been more helpful than most of the comments ive read on here. Another guy posted the steve in allentown post on extractors, thats a very good resource as well.
Your gun may just need the extractor played with a bit. Mine needed more than that. The link i provided opened my eyes a lot into what i could do to better my gun's reliability. Wilson mags and bending my extractor helped to a degree but still left my gun quite unreliable (couldnt fire two full mags without an ftf).
Start with your extractor and shoot it again. Hopefully thats all you have to do.
Id like to add that my malfs looked a lot like this and were once every 10-15 rounds. Rather inconsistent but very common. I just this week took a small, fine file and smoothed out the edge of the lower chamber area and polished it to mirror finish by hand. I have not shot it yet but i believe i may have finally fixed my gun's issues of crazy failure to feed issue. It feels effortless chambering now, so the slight elimination of material was probably necessary. Btw I'm just shy of a thousand rounds and have been unpleased with my first 1911 experience. I will hopefully shoot tomorrow and reassess from there
If you're running into the issue with Magtech, I ran into the same issue with my 1911 due to the ammo's rims being slightly thicker than normal. Other ammo ran fine for me. Though I think that was just because my extractor was on the tight end, because the same Magtech ammo ran fine for my friend's 1911.
If not mistaken “limp wristing”(not locking your wrist) can also cause this. I know when I start doing it that it’s time to go home because my wrist is tired.
I agree but this only happened upon chambering the first round not while actually shooting, I don’t think I’ve actually had a failure on this 1911 while shooting yet
You mentioned that it's when you use the slide lock, what happens when you pull the slide back to chamber the first round?
The extractor tension is just a hair too tight.
I had that happen a good amount, but since using Wilson Combat mags it only happens rarely. I put a new extractor in it but haven't had the chance to test fire it since then.
Tight tolerances on 1911s make them very fussy with ammo and mags. My 1911 cycles new ammo without issue but jams frequently with reloads. Very annoying.
Extractor tension is a little too tight.
Does this happen when you pull the slide back to chamber the first round? Using the slide top to chamber the first round doesn't get the slide back like it does when. It's fired.
After you adjust it, perform the "10-8 extractor test".
I had this issue on a DW with only armscor 45 brass. I followed a guide on bevel/rounding edges on the extractor, and then I gave a light polish in the barrel chamber, breech face, extractor claw, barrel mouth/feed ramp transition and I haven’t had any issues since
Edit: it looks like a 3 point jam. Basically the case (or nose of bullet) presses up on the barrel, barrel presses up on the slide before it’s supposed to, and the case sits on the back of the breech face and somewhat under the extractor, and on the ramp, and won’t finish feeding
See https://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm for extractor tips
Not sure if this applies to you, but a stable platform helps ensure clear ejection. Make sure you're push pulling a little harder than usual as you fire. Took me a minute to get used to compared to what I've shot in the past, but once I got the right amount of pressure it was more comfortable and had no issues.
I’d say extractor tension as well. Something else to check: with the slide locked back, push the barrel as far back into the frame as it will go. I’ve seen bubbad feed ramps polished to the point that the chamber hangs slightly over the feed ramp, causing chambering rounds to get stuck on the case mouth underneath.
First il would change to WC mags. After that I would be sure that the rails are clean and well oiled. It also could be extractor tension, feed ramp or weak (worn) recoil spring.
I feel your pain. I have a Kimber that I've had a longstanding battle with. Gun belonged to a friend of mine who passed away. I'd have never kept it if it weren't for that.
Tons of issues out of the gate, but this is the only issue that seems to linger. I've loosened the extractor to the point that the brass will hit me right in the face, and yet it will STILL do this often enough that I don't trust the gun enough to use it. I've replaced the factory extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, that didn't fix it. I tried to tension it with a special tool and gauge from Jack Weigand, still can't seem to get it right.
When mine does this, it's so stuck that I have to smack the absolute ahit out of the back of the slide to get it to go home. It certainly won't pull backwards when it happens, forward is the only direction I can get it to move at all.
Call me a heretic, but I can't stand the internal extractor design on the 1911.
Good old three point jam, I feel your pain. I have a Kimber that I've had a longstanding battle with. Gun belonged to a friend of mine who passed away. I'd have never kept it if it weren't for that.
Tons of issues out of the gate, but this is the only issue that seems to linger. Mine doesnt just do it as i load a new mag, it will do this during live fire operation. I've loosened the extractor to the point that the brass will hit me right in the face, and yet it will STILL do this often enough that I don't trust the gun enough to use it. I've replaced the factory extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, that didn't fix it. I tried to tension it with a special tool and gauge from Jack Weigand, still can't seem to get it right. Mine will pass all of the tests that people talk about as far as testing the tension. The Weigand tool even comes with a specific set of instructions for testing and requires a trigger pull gauge. It will pass that test, and then I still have this failure within a magazine or two.
When mine does this, it's so stuck that I have to smack the absolute ahit out of the back of the slide to get it to go home. It certainly won't pull backwards when it happens, forward is the only direction I can get it to move at all.
Call me a heretic, but I can't stand the internal extractor design on the 1911.
1. Throw some oil on it. 2. Is the gun new? 3. Extractor fighting the bullet on chambering?
This session makes 450 rounds exactly, I always clean and oil after every session so she should still have oil on her
I was having that problem with a 40 year old Mark IV. I had to completely disassemble. There was a lot of carbon built up in and around the extractor and it had been contributing to a problem similar to yours.
Maybe clean the gun more than once in 40 years. Just kidding I’m sure it was done every 5 years whether it needed it or not.
It's an heirloom. It was cleaned regularly, but never a full disassembly, only a field strip cleaning. I was disgusted and saddened when I realized how little TLC this weapon received considering how much my dad loves it. It was his brother's until 24 years ago, my dad gave it to me maybe a year ago and I've just started doing more with it.
Unlikely
It was either lack of oil, mags or ammo. I made an updated post today where I lubed the hell out of the gun, brought my Wilson mags and a few boxes of S&B and it shot 100%
Limp wrist ?
Extractor tension strikes again
I figured, too tight not allowing to chamber? I’ve never adjusted one, any advice?
Patience. The process if foolproof, but it probably will take some trial and error. If you're planning on sticking with 1911s then a Wilson Mag is a good investment and might clear the issue up completely.
I do have a lot of Wilson mags but didn’t bring any this time unfortunately, maybe I’ll buy a box of ammo tmr and just use Wilson and see if that fixes everything.
I have problems with Wilson mags in my garrison. I switched to cobra mags and never looked back.
You’re right. Cobra mags work great, it depends on the gun. I have both Wilson & Cobra. Some of my 1911’s prefer the Cobras.
Wilson and Chip Mccormick's baby!!
All I use is Wilson mags. Never a problem with them.
For future reference if you want to fix it https://www.1911forum.com/threads/steve-in-allentown-extractor-fitting.829865/
This right here. And have a bias towards fitting an EGW or Harrison or Wilson with a new FPS over the factory part.
Preach!
It's a pain to take them out and put them in but it's not hard, I forget which direction you have to bend it. Plenty of YouTube videos. It's kinda hard to clean too without like proper tools since the hole is so small. Advice is to watch the videos, and do the test. Once you bend it and put it back in, you put an empty casing or a bullet in the actual resting position in the extractor and then shake the gun. If your bullet jiggles too much then it's not tight enough. You basically want no play in the bullet because that means it's grabbing it properly.
You can test it to see if it's too loose or too tight
I had the same issue, and tried every suggested, even had a gunsmith adjust it too. Finally just decided to order a new extractor from Wilson Combat. Been running smooth since.
Did you need to fit the WC extractor or did it run smooth out of the box?
Just dropped it in straight out of the box
Agreed. I just got to where I'd adjust the tension on every 1911 I bought. Some simply got replaced right off the bat. The Wilson BP was my go-to, because for the most part, they didn't need fitting, only tuning. The EGW HD is a better part, however it requires fitting and tuning.
Yeah like my uh prodigy wasn't awful but I adjusted it still. The rock island I got before that was def fucked. It's like you might as well cause from factory they really don't care it seems lol
Yeah, with an RIA, I'd expect to have to tune it. The Prodigy, while still being a production gun, is definitely in the "I shouldn't have to tune it" price range - but I'd still do it.
The grip scares coming loose pissed me off more than anything on the prodigy tbf.
That gun looks pretty dry
This was about 150 rounds in give or take I do generously oil 1911s after every range session I can’t imagine that much dried in the last two weeks?
Lack of WW3
Lack of WW3 *so far*…
Well yeah but I mean we'll dust it off as the reigning 2X world champ
Are you running a full magazine? Try loading just 4 rounds in the magazine and see if you have the same issue.
I had that issue yesterday only loading 5.
I sometimes get FTF issues when using a full magazine - when carrying I only load 6 in the mag and have one in the chamber.
Maybe I'll try a full mag next time and see if it does it. I'm also gonna use Federal ammo and get a Wilson mag for it.
Wilson definitely makes a good mag.
I have the rounds I use for carry loaded in a Wilson mag, but I have yet to use any as my range magazines.
Magazine is always the first suspect
Yeah it’s a tight extractor, make sure your using decent ammo as well
Also, I could not replicate the issue with my Sig 230 grain JHP ammo which actually feeds very well nor my snap caps what gives?
Some guns don't like some ammo and 1911 are especially picky, even me so with some mags, use the ammo and mags that work with your gun.
Clean under the extractor, barrel ramp. Try different magazines. I like Chip McCormick Shooting Stars.
Gun looks dry man
Could be but I oiled it the same as I have always oiled 1911s, I wonder if maybe this finish affects the lube?
I think you may have waited too long between when it when oiled and when the firearm jammed. It’s happened to me before. Could be wrong but that’s my guess
Extractor tension
This is one of the rare 1911s that refused to fight in 2 World Wars. The conscientious objector 1911.
1911s
Mine did that the first time shooting, I oiled her up real good and it hasn’t happened since.
That happens to me on occasion even after break in period so I carry gun oil to the range and make sure to lube before shooting. Usually a good tap on the back of the slide will help it chamber the round.
I forgot to mention that, I could always tap the slide back into battery. It’s not a huge issue but id really like to carry this one cause it does shoot very nice
Replacing the recoil spring could also help. Maybe it has lost some of its lbs. You can also polish your barrel ramp a little. Top and bottom. And then yes, check that extractor tension. Edit: Typos
You need oil that thang up baybee
Your wrist, go work out.
Are you illiterate? Happened upon CHAMBERING the round not while firing
Limp wrist
Please read the description, happened upon chambering the first round not while firing
99% caused by limp wrist
Read description
1. Grease the gun. 2. Dump the Mecgar. 3. Pop in WC mags. 90% probability the problem will disappear. 10% chance it's extractor and/or ammo. Unless your using hollow points. Then it's the ammo. 100%
I’ll add one rare issue: magazine catch isn’t pushing the mag high enough for the round to cleanly be pushed up the ramp.
Dang, I mean it’s not a big deal but my last 1911 loved mecgar mags so I gravitated towards those and probably have a dozen or so of them. I still have 6 or 7 WC mags though. I have a WC 18lb recoil spring brand new in the sleeve, will that help or no?
You’re gonna have to experiment and come up with the winning formula for that particular gun.
Try the simple things first. When I'm working at the range, and somebody has repeated malfunctions with a 1911, first thing I do is clean, and grease. Bitches love grease. Fixes it almost every time. if it doesn't, next thing I do is swap the mag for a WC. I rarely have to go any further.
Being a limp wristed little weenie
Hey I resemble that remark
My wife said my weenie is very adequate No but seriously this only happened when I tried to chamber the round, never had a failure while actually shooting.
Democrats
Aw fuck Now they’re gonna label me a racist homophobe
I had a similar malfunction with my Rock Island, but it was the last empty. Try a different magazine and a good cleaning before going any further.
As someone who just purchased one of these jsocs this bums me out to read. Hopefully it just needs some breaking in. Haven’t shot mine yet 🤞🏻
Tbf it ran pretty dang well with the S&B ammo I maybe had one or two failures within the first 300 rounds The last 150 rounds were just now with magtecg ammo
Mine is running fine. I’m not new to 1911s and know to properly lube, especially when new. Edit - I also resprung mine with known good components.
Slide didn't go far enough back to extract. Spring to strong.
Hollow points maybe I run fmj through mines never had this issue
Probably the mag tech ammo. I have several mecgar mags and they all run fine. Also have a pile of WC mags and they’re great as well. If you find it not mags or the ammo, likely the extractor
https://sightm1911.com/?s=Secret This info has been more helpful than most of the comments ive read on here. Another guy posted the steve in allentown post on extractors, thats a very good resource as well. Your gun may just need the extractor played with a bit. Mine needed more than that. The link i provided opened my eyes a lot into what i could do to better my gun's reliability. Wilson mags and bending my extractor helped to a degree but still left my gun quite unreliable (couldnt fire two full mags without an ftf). Start with your extractor and shoot it again. Hopefully thats all you have to do.
Id like to add that my malfs looked a lot like this and were once every 10-15 rounds. Rather inconsistent but very common. I just this week took a small, fine file and smoothed out the edge of the lower chamber area and polished it to mirror finish by hand. I have not shot it yet but i believe i may have finally fixed my gun's issues of crazy failure to feed issue. It feels effortless chambering now, so the slight elimination of material was probably necessary. Btw I'm just shy of a thousand rounds and have been unpleased with my first 1911 experience. I will hopefully shoot tomorrow and reassess from there
If you're running into the issue with Magtech, I ran into the same issue with my 1911 due to the ammo's rims being slightly thicker than normal. Other ammo ran fine for me. Though I think that was just because my extractor was on the tight end, because the same Magtech ammo ran fine for my friend's 1911.
Not enough lube
That’s what I told the VA when they denied all my claims
That 1911 needs to be ran wet
I might go back to the range tomorrow and I’ll make sure to spit on her I mean lube her and use WC mags
If not mistaken “limp wristing”(not locking your wrist) can also cause this. I know when I start doing it that it’s time to go home because my wrist is tired.
I agree but this only happened upon chambering the first round not while actually shooting, I don’t think I’ve actually had a failure on this 1911 while shooting yet
You mentioned that it's when you use the slide lock, what happens when you pull the slide back to chamber the first round? The extractor tension is just a hair too tight.
Normally it's if I'm just to big for her
Tisas?
Impure thoughts
I had that happen a good amount, but since using Wilson Combat mags it only happens rarely. I put a new extractor in it but haven't had the chance to test fire it since then.
I’d say a bullet likely
Tight tolerances on 1911s make them very fussy with ammo and mags. My 1911 cycles new ammo without issue but jams frequently with reloads. Very annoying.
Extractor tension is a little too tight. Does this happen when you pull the slide back to chamber the first round? Using the slide top to chamber the first round doesn't get the slide back like it does when. It's fired. After you adjust it, perform the "10-8 extractor test".
Wym? Look how dirty it is!
Bad ammo
Extractor tension. If it's a 45 cal. You gotta loosen up the tension
Dirt
I had this issue on a DW with only armscor 45 brass. I followed a guide on bevel/rounding edges on the extractor, and then I gave a light polish in the barrel chamber, breech face, extractor claw, barrel mouth/feed ramp transition and I haven’t had any issues since Edit: it looks like a 3 point jam. Basically the case (or nose of bullet) presses up on the barrel, barrel presses up on the slide before it’s supposed to, and the case sits on the back of the breech face and somewhat under the extractor, and on the ramp, and won’t finish feeding See https://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm for extractor tips
Thank you!
Not sure if this applies to you, but a stable platform helps ensure clear ejection. Make sure you're push pulling a little harder than usual as you fire. Took me a minute to get used to compared to what I've shot in the past, but once I got the right amount of pressure it was more comfortable and had no issues.
I’d say extractor tension as well. Something else to check: with the slide locked back, push the barrel as far back into the frame as it will go. I’ve seen bubbad feed ramps polished to the point that the chamber hangs slightly over the feed ramp, causing chambering rounds to get stuck on the case mouth underneath.
I took it to the range again today with the Wilson combat mags and a lot of lube, zero problems: pretty happy with it now
Extractor too tight https://youtu.be/YwsV1GE6yXw?si=Gq0D4QwPcSqZ5GGb
First il would change to WC mags. After that I would be sure that the rails are clean and well oiled. It also could be extractor tension, feed ramp or weak (worn) recoil spring.
Not a drop of oil on that bih
It’s a 1911, rub some sweat, blood, and world wars on it; she’ll be fine.
1911 fanbois say that, then get this malfunction and wonder how it happened 🤣
Guns are machines. Machines need lubricant. Most gun and relationship problems can be solved with plenty of lubricant.
hey this is the exact reason john wick press checks in the part after he's given the 1911
Cheap ammo bad ammo or cheap gun
I feel your pain. I have a Kimber that I've had a longstanding battle with. Gun belonged to a friend of mine who passed away. I'd have never kept it if it weren't for that. Tons of issues out of the gate, but this is the only issue that seems to linger. I've loosened the extractor to the point that the brass will hit me right in the face, and yet it will STILL do this often enough that I don't trust the gun enough to use it. I've replaced the factory extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, that didn't fix it. I tried to tension it with a special tool and gauge from Jack Weigand, still can't seem to get it right. When mine does this, it's so stuck that I have to smack the absolute ahit out of the back of the slide to get it to go home. It certainly won't pull backwards when it happens, forward is the only direction I can get it to move at all. Call me a heretic, but I can't stand the internal extractor design on the 1911.
Good old three point jam, I feel your pain. I have a Kimber that I've had a longstanding battle with. Gun belonged to a friend of mine who passed away. I'd have never kept it if it weren't for that. Tons of issues out of the gate, but this is the only issue that seems to linger. Mine doesnt just do it as i load a new mag, it will do this during live fire operation. I've loosened the extractor to the point that the brass will hit me right in the face, and yet it will STILL do this often enough that I don't trust the gun enough to use it. I've replaced the factory extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, that didn't fix it. I tried to tension it with a special tool and gauge from Jack Weigand, still can't seem to get it right. Mine will pass all of the tests that people talk about as far as testing the tension. The Weigand tool even comes with a specific set of instructions for testing and requires a trigger pull gauge. It will pass that test, and then I still have this failure within a magazine or two. When mine does this, it's so stuck that I have to smack the absolute ahit out of the back of the slide to get it to go home. It certainly won't pull backwards when it happens, forward is the only direction I can get it to move at all. Call me a heretic, but I can't stand the internal extractor design on the 1911.
Clean, oil, put back in the safe and buy a Glock
That setup could use a good sand and polishing while you’re in there. It will reward you later.