Stovepipe opinions?

[Edward429451]

Most ejectors are very small and can contribute to stovepiping. I suggest having an extended ejector installed in the pistol. Where the factory ejectors are short and basically flush with the Mag-well, the extended ejectors are perhaps 1/4" longer so they contact the case sooner and start the ejection process sooner.

[.45 Aficianado]

Unloaded springs don't deteriorate, for sure, but with loaded mag springs, the story is different. It depends on how the spring is used and the design of the magazines.

A very erudite discussion. Thanks very much for your informative response. Guns are very complex to most of us that like, have, and use them; and would like to fix things that go wrong. I worked on the magazine for my AMT .45 Backup tonight, and it seems to be feeding reliably. Can't wait to fire a few rounds out of it!

[.45 Aficianado]

I had a spankin' new Colt Combat Commander that BOB-ed almost every time on the last round with the factory magazine. A Wolff 11-pound/7-round magazine spring cured it.

That's a good gun! Why would they ship that out and risk the Colt reputation? I don't know, but it if that is the answer, I hope Wolff ramps up to making mag springs for the AMT .45 Backup. Maybe I can modify an existing spring for another magazine - any ideas?

[1911Tuner]

Why would they ship that out and risk the Colt reputation?

The pistol was fine. The problem was the magazine spring. Colt hasn't made magazines in-house in about 50 years, so they have little control over them. The vendors that supply them with magazines...at the time there were only three...don't make their own springs, and also rely on a vendor, who in turn relies on a vendor for the music wire that they use to wind the springs.

Spring load and tension can vary quite a bit from one spring to the next, even within the same lot...so it's inevitable that the occasional spring will fall to or below minimum specs after taking the initial set...which, depending on the wire alloy variation...can happen quickly.

All springs take an early set. Engineers take this into account, and rate the spring after that happens. e.g. A Wolff 11-pound magazine spring probably hits about 11.5 or more before the set, and averages 11 pounds after it occurs. Once that set is established, a good quality spring changes slowly.

Then, there's always the old axiom that's always in play: "Your equipment is brought to you courtesy of the lowest bidder."

[.45 Aficianado]

Your equipment is brought to you courtesy of the lowest bidder.

I understand the "race to the bottom concept" in business, when a cheap buck is to be made short term; with no regard to long term outlook. It's a shame more of our CEO firearm manufacturers still need some schooling on those basic principals of a successful business. Thanks for educating me regarding the limited manufacture of magazine springs.

[drail]

Thank you Mr. Sherill for the best explanation I have read concerning magazine springs in clear concise English.