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Old November 16, 2008, 11:40 PM   #1
sammy69
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1911 magazine trouble

I shoot lots of IDPA and USPSA with my 1911's and am having trouble with a few magazines. I have 4 Wilson 47d's, 3 Les Baer 7 round, 2 Wilson Elite Tactical and a Kimber 7 rounder. The trouble is one of the Baer and both Wilson Elite Tactical magazines do not drop free. I have 3 1911's and they all fail to drop free on all pistols. I believe they are dragging on the magazine catch if that makes sense. I think I can fix the problem if I gently work the area above the catch cut on the magazine with a light hammer. What do you think?
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Old November 17, 2008, 12:57 AM   #2
kraigwy
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polish the suckers. I start out with 200 grit sand paper and go all the way to 800. Finer if you want. You an make them smoother then a prom queens thigh, the puppies will drop then. Coat them with a light oil and you're good to go.
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Old November 17, 2008, 01:22 AM   #3
Unclenick
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Check the width of the magazines. Adjust your calipers jaws to just gently kiss the sides of the magazines when you move them through. Compare that measurement to working magazines. I think you may find that dropping has gradually sprung them a little. You may have to pull the followers and springs and use soft jaws on a vice to squeeze them back to original form.
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Old November 17, 2008, 12:13 PM   #4
WESHOOT2
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before you start hacking away at metal

I often see trigger bows interfering with the magazines.
Then it's mag catches.

Try a different mag catch? Swap 'em around?
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Old November 17, 2008, 08:01 PM   #5
sammy69
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Thanks everyone for the replies. I have tried swaping the catches but the same problem is the result. I am going to try marking the magazine that is the hardest to get out with a sharpie and fine just where it is dragging. I will post picts and ask for further advise. Thank you all again for helping.
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Old November 18, 2008, 01:47 AM   #6
Slopemeno
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Take your mag catch out and see if the mags drop free. Chances are, the mag catch is traveling too far, and restraining the mag. You can buy an over-sized mag catch lock from Brownells, carefully fit it, and that should cure your issue.

Back in the ol' days, we would carefully cut a short piece of round stock that would fit inside the mag catch spring, and trim it so you could just turn the lock to retain the mag catch.
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Old November 18, 2008, 10:38 PM   #7
drail
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+1 on the mag catch being your problem. It's not impossible that the magazines are the problem but it is very unlikely.
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Old November 20, 2008, 08:58 AM   #8
WESHOOT2
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and look down the empty mag well and check if the trigger bow extends outside its channels
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Old November 21, 2008, 04:28 PM   #9
drail
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And while you're looking in there see if the disconnector is protruding into the magwell. Seen that one one a few times. Trigger bow is the usual culprit.
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