RIA 1911 feeding issues.

Pops1085 · May 28, 2013, 11:10 AM

Just wondering what my options would be for my 1911 that occasionally hangs up when trying to strip the next round. I was maybe thinking just a stronger recoil spring because it just barely can't strip it. If I tap the mag or even just touch the rear of the slide it strips it like nothing happened.

It's done it with a few types of ammo and I don't believe I am limp wristing it but you never know.

**4V50 Gary** · May 28, 2013, 01:00 PM

Start with a GI or Colt magazine. Most feeding issues are the magazine and then the ammo.

Scorch · May 30, 2013, 05:37 AM

Check the recoil spring for loss of tension. When you compare it to a new spring, it should not be shorter than 3 coils from a new spring. And yes, check the magazine. Those are the 2 main causes of misfeeding in a 1911.

g.willikers · May 30, 2013, 09:06 AM

Just for clarity, at what position does the gun hang up?
Cartridge still completely in the mag?
Cartridge part way out of the mag, and if so, where?

Nathan · May 30, 2013, 10:03 AM

Is the bullet touching the feed ramp where it hangs up?

ntg · May 30, 2013, 11:10 AM

1911s tend to prefer "clean and lubed" more than others. Some (like my XD) can run quite dirty for a long time.

Make sure there's not residue build up on the ramp as well. I did some extra polishing on the ramp on my RIA, not that it needed it, and I've never had an issue.

polyphemus · May 31, 2013, 10:54 AM

Check the slide stop for bullet clearance,especially if you notice heavy copper
traces on it,if you are shooting reloads then you may shorten cartridge length
if not then carefully file the lift tab.I'd do this before buying or replacing anything.

Nathan · May 31, 2013, 04:24 PM

Hello??? OP?

g.willikers · May 31, 2013, 05:41 PM

Well, he is old.
Never can tell with us old guys.
Here today, gone tomorrow.

Hawg · May 31, 2013, 07:03 PM

I'd try a different mag. I don't care much for the ACT mag that comes with them.

Dixie Gunsmithing · May 31, 2013, 07:09 PM

The very first thing to do is try another magazine. This sounds like the lips on the magazine might be pinched in a little too tight, or the magazine follower is not aligning right, and putting too much friction on the cartridge, thus into the lips.

If the above fails, compare the recoil spring to a new one, at least to ones free length. If it shows it to be compressed/shortened, then replace the spring.

Pops1085 · June 1, 2013, 11:06 AM

Sorry guys, to clarify it hangs up when the round is halfway out of the magazine, I have tried 3 different magazines one of which I know is a good one. I pulled out the main recoil spring and it seems bent, if that's possible with a spring.

g.willikers · June 1, 2013, 06:06 PM

Glad you're still with us.
We was getting worried.
We should have asked what version of 1911 is this.
Full sized?
What kind of ammo and bullet?
Factory or reload?
Did or can you measure the length of the recoil spring out of the gun?

Dixie Gunsmithing · June 1, 2013, 06:27 PM

Pops1085:

The recoil spring should be straight, with little to no curve to it, and definitely no kinks in it. I would have to see how it is bent, to determine if its rubbing on the recoil spring guide, or inside the spring plug. If its rubbing, it would possibly cause this.

The only other thing, could be the nose of the bullet hitting the parting line of the barrel ramp and causing it to hang. Make sure the bullet is not hitting a burr, or step, where the ramp of the frame, meets the ramp or lip of the barrel. It should be smooth from the bottom to the top at the barrel. The 1911 is quite particular about this.

May 28, 2013, 11:10 AM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	RIA 1911 feeding issues. Just wondering what my options would be for my 1911 that occasionally hangs up when trying to strip the next round. I was maybe thinking just a stronger recoil spring because it just barely can't strip it. If I tap the mag or even just touch the rear of the slide it strips it like nothing happened. It's done it with a few types of ammo and I don't believe I am limp wristing it but you never know.

May 28, 2013, 01:00 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Start with a GI or Colt magazine. Most feeding issues are the magazine and then the ammo. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 30, 2013, 05:37 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Check the recoil spring for loss of tension. When you compare it to a new spring, it should not be shorter than 3 coils from a new spring. And yes, check the magazine. Those are the 2 main causes of misfeeding in a 1911. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 30, 2013, 09:06 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Just for clarity, at what position does the gun hang up? Cartridge still completely in the mag? Cartridge part way out of the mag, and if so, where? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 31, 2013, 05:41 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Well, he is old. Never can tell with us old guys. Here today, gone tomorrow. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 30, 2013, 10:03 AM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,322	Is the bullet touching the feed ramp where it hangs up?

May 30, 2013, 11:10 AM	#6
ntg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2013 Location: 4B - Idaho Posts: 119	1911s tend to prefer "clean and lubed" more than others. Some (like my XD) can run quite dirty for a long time. Make sure there's not residue build up on the ramp as well. I did some extra polishing on the ramp on my RIA, not that it needed it, and I've never had an issue.

May 31, 2013, 10:54 AM	#7
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	Check the slide stop for bullet clearance,especially if you notice heavy copper traces on it,if you are shooting reloads then you may shorten cartridge length if not then carefully file the lift tab.I'd do this before buying or replacing anything.

May 31, 2013, 04:24 PM	#8
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,322	Hello??? OP?

May 31, 2013, 07:03 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'd try a different mag. I don't care much for the ACT mag that comes with them.

May 31, 2013, 07:09 PM	#11
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	The very first thing to do is try another magazine. This sounds like the lips on the magazine might be pinched in a little too tight, or the magazine follower is not aligning right, and putting too much friction on the cartridge, thus into the lips. If the above fails, compare the recoil spring to a new one, at least to ones free length. If it shows it to be compressed/shortened, then replace the spring.

June 1, 2013, 11:06 AM	#12
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	Sorry guys, to clarify it hangs up when the round is halfway out of the magazine, I have tried 3 different magazines one of which I know is a good one. I pulled out the main recoil spring and it seems bent, if that's possible with a spring.

June 1, 2013, 06:06 PM	#13
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Glad you're still with us. We was getting worried. We should have asked what version of 1911 is this. Full sized? What kind of ammo and bullet? Factory or reload? Did or can you measure the length of the recoil spring out of the gun? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

June 1, 2013, 06:27 PM	#14
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	Pops1085: The recoil spring should be straight, with little to no curve to it, and definitely no kinks in it. I would have to see how it is bent, to determine if its rubbing on the recoil spring guide, or inside the spring plug. If its rubbing, it would possibly cause this. The only other thing, could be the nose of the bullet hitting the parting line of the barrel ramp and causing it to hang. Make sure the bullet is not hitting a burr, or step, where the ramp of the frame, meets the ramp or lip of the barrel. It should be smooth from the bottom to the top at the barrel. The 1911 is quite particular about this.

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