1911 firing issue

yggorf · December 27, 2009, 07:00 PM

Today I was using my Kimber commander size 1911 (.45ASCP) and I noticed several times an odd failure to fire -- several rounds form the mag would fire fine, then about halfway through the magazine I would pull the trigger and the gun would not fire. If I tapped the magazine up (without any slide racking) it would then fire. It felt like the firing pin may not be hitting with enough force.

Why would tapping the mag up improve this situation?

Jim Watson · December 27, 2009, 07:15 PM

Possibly shifts the gun in your hand so you depress the grip safety all the way and clear the firing pin obstruction.

yggorf · December 27, 2009, 07:42 PM

Jim, that might be it!

drail · December 27, 2009, 07:49 PM

Yup, I would take a close look at the firing pin block to make sure it's moving completely out of the way so the firing pin can move unimpeded. These systems need to be timed properly and have full travel or they will snag the firing pin and slow it down. See if there are any nicks or marks on the firing pin. It should be clean and smooth. These systems work well but they have to be set up with very little error to be reliable.

December 27, 2009, 07:00 PM	#1
yggorf Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Posts: 125	1911 firing issue Today I was using my Kimber commander size 1911 (.45ASCP) and I noticed several times an odd failure to fire -- several rounds form the mag would fire fine, then about halfway through the magazine I would pull the trigger and the gun would not fire. If I tapped the magazine up (without any slide racking) it would then fire. It felt like the firing pin may not be hitting with enough force. Why would tapping the mag up improve this situation?

December 27, 2009, 07:15 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Possibly shifts the gun in your hand so you depress the grip safety all the way and clear the firing pin obstruction.

December 27, 2009, 07:42 PM	#3
yggorf Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2009 Posts: 125	Jim, that might be it!

December 27, 2009, 07:49 PM	#4
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	Yup, I would take a close look at the firing pin block to make sure it's moving completely out of the way so the firing pin can move unimpeded. These systems need to be timed properly and have full travel or they will snag the firing pin and slow it down. See if there are any nicks or marks on the firing pin. It should be clean and smooth. These systems work well but they have to be set up with very little error to be reliable.