Fail To Fire Problem

ShootingNut · February 12, 2008, 09:34 AM

Appreciate any thoughts or ideas on this problem.
Brand new S&W 1911 .45 with approximately 200 rounds through it.
Shooting own reloads, gun will feed and chamber the round, but with the
lead SWC's trigger does not release the fully cocked hammer. It may only on occasion. But, gun loves the 200 gr. lead RNFP with OAL of 1.210".
Same problem even with 225 gr. lead TCFP with OAL of 1.200".
Dropped cartridges into my barrel, and the headspace appears flush to slightly below, with a few just a "hair" above but close.
My bullet maker friend, suggested I try running some factory 230 gr. FMJ
through it, to see if my gun will eat them right up. Have yet to do that.
Sent a message to Smith, waiting to hear their thoughts.
So, like I say if anyone has experienced this themselves, maybe you can head me in the right direction? As a side note, my Son has a Colt 1911 manufactured in 1966, that just eats any of our reloads described without any problem! I thought a new Smith should do the same, maybe I was wrong.

Regards,
SN

Gbro · February 12, 2008, 09:40 AM

My guess is S&W will put you on a list. "Reloads".
Don't know of any manufactures that condone reloading.
I do not reload anything but RN bullets for my 1911's. Used to do the simi-W/C but to many failure to feed.
As for failure to fire, My guess is your are not in full battery.

SDC · February 12, 2008, 09:44 AM

If it fires factory ammo fine, I'd have to say that your reloads are either too long or not resized to the proper diameter, thereby not allowing the round to fully chamber; this means that the disconnector is still activated, which won't allow the hammer to drop. You could add a Lee Factory Crimp die to make sure everything is under spec, or get a Dillon gauge to check each round.

ShootingNut · February 12, 2008, 09:54 AM

I hear ya about Smith liking reloads, I didn't mention that to them. Although, being lead bullets they can guess that one.

I am loading with a Lee 4 die set, and paid attention to getting a good crimp.
Length wise, the semi WC's are at 1.250" (200 gr. #68) down to 1.165" on a
185 gr. SWC #30. So I may be wrong, but it would surprise me if length is the culpirt. Might have to just feed it with RN, which shoot just fine for my use.
Thanks guys!
SN

Grandpa Shooter · February 12, 2008, 11:30 AM

I can shoot anything in my Colt including 175g SWC, but it does not like 200g moly SWC. I tried changing bullet length, increased the crimp, etc and still couldn't get them to feed. Mine is a 1991A1.

Never had any real problems with FTF before that.

Hawg · February 12, 2008, 03:11 PM

Sounds like it's not going into battery which has already been mentioned. Maybe the SWC's are getting a small amount of lead shaved off and getting between the chamber and brass preventing the cartridge from seating fully.

ShootingNut · February 12, 2008, 04:04 PM

Always a possibility, although I really watch out for any shaving due to not enough flare. Plus, I can load up a mag of the RN, and they fire off without any problem right after the failures with the TC or SWC bullets.
Some of my range brass that I've loaded, does have a crease on the edge of the head. I thought maybe that was a battery problem, but doesn't affect the RN's so don't think that's it.
So, I keep playing with it, is this what makes the 1911 interesting?

My poly M&P40 chews up anything, and I suspect the MP45 would do likewise.
Thanks!
SN

W. C. Quantrill · February 12, 2008, 04:43 PM

The .45 ACP seats on the mouth of the case. Like ol Reb sez, sounds like you have something down in the chamber that is keeping the cartridge from fully seating. Pull the barrel and give it a real good cleaning with a brush then try it again. My .45 loads SWC, and hollowpoints, even empty cases, yours should too. A man should not be limited to RN or FMJ's. Never can tell, ya might want to take it to a social engagement.

Hawg · February 12, 2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Like ol Reb sez,

OK, give.

I shudda known. Wassup Bill?

ShootingNut · February 12, 2008, 05:19 PM

O.K., Sruba Dub Dub, it's shiny clean now but what the heck.
I just might get my ol' 3/8's twist drill out, and give her a real good ream job!

SN

Hawg · February 12, 2008, 07:21 PM

I kinda had in mind it the shoulder of the bullet might be getting scraped as it chambered letting a thin piece of lead get trapped between the chamber wall and the brass.

ShootingNut · February 13, 2008, 04:18 PM

I now believe, after my trip to the range today.
Found out when a round did not fire, first off my slide wasn't forward enough to engage the saftey as I first thought.
Then after removing the round from the chamber, I noticed a slight amount of lead buildup at the mouth of the casing. The casing had pushed a ridge, not a sliver, but enough to create a problem when chambered.
So, I have the red face, for not flaring the cases enough. It ain't much lead, but the new Smith doesn't like anything besides the casing in the chamber.
Thanks one and all, I have to get my act together and make sure that I wear my specs!
Best regards,
SN

February 12, 2008, 09:34 AM	#1
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Fail To Fire Problem Appreciate any thoughts or ideas on this problem. Brand new S&W 1911 .45 with approximately 200 rounds through it. Shooting own reloads, gun will feed and chamber the round, but with the lead SWC's trigger does not release the fully cocked hammer. It may only on occasion. But, gun loves the 200 gr. lead RNFP with OAL of 1.210". Same problem even with 225 gr. lead TCFP with OAL of 1.200". Dropped cartridges into my barrel, and the headspace appears flush to slightly below, with a few just a "hair" above but close. My bullet maker friend, suggested I try running some factory 230 gr. FMJ through it, to see if my gun will eat them right up. Have yet to do that. Sent a message to Smith, waiting to hear their thoughts. So, like I say if anyone has experienced this themselves, maybe you can head me in the right direction? As a side note, my Son has a Colt 1911 manufactured in 1966, that just eats any of our reloads described without any problem! I thought a new Smith should do the same, maybe I was wrong. Regards, SN

February 12, 2008, 09:40 AM	#2
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	My guess is S&W will put you on a list. "Reloads". Don't know of any manufactures that condone reloading. I do not reload anything but RN bullets for my 1911's. Used to do the simi-W/C but to many failure to feed. As for failure to fire, My guess is your are not in full battery. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

February 12, 2008, 11:30 AM	#5
Grandpa Shooter Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 140	I can shoot anything in my Colt including 175g SWC, but it does not like 200g moly SWC. I tried changing bullet length, increased the crimp, etc and still couldn't get them to feed. Mine is a 1991A1. Never had any real problems with FTF before that. __________________ Old enough to know better and way too old to care!

February 12, 2008, 04:04 PM	#7
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Hawg Always a possibility, although I really watch out for any shaving due to not enough flare. Plus, I can load up a mag of the RN, and they fire off without any problem right after the failures with the TC or SWC bullets. Some of my range brass that I've loaded, does have a crease on the edge of the head. I thought maybe that was a battery problem, but doesn't affect the RN's so don't think that's it. So, I keep playing with it, is this what makes the 1911 interesting? My poly M&P40 chews up anything, and I suspect the MP45 would do likewise. Thanks! SN

February 12, 2008, 04:43 PM	#8
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	The .45 ACP seats on the mouth of the case. Like ol Reb sez, sounds like you have something down in the chamber that is keeping the cartridge from fully seating. Pull the barrel and give it a real good cleaning with a brush then try it again. My .45 loads SWC, and hollowpoints, even empty cases, yours should too. A man should not be limited to RN or FMJ's. Never can tell, ya might want to take it to a social engagement. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

February 12, 2008, 09:44 AM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	If it fires factory ammo fine, I'd have to say that your reloads are either too long or not resized to the proper diameter, thereby not allowing the round to fully chamber; this means that the disconnector is still activated, which won't allow the hammer to drop. You could add a Lee Factory Crimp die to make sure everything is under spec, or get a Dillon gauge to check each round. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

February 12, 2008, 09:54 AM	#4
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	I hear ya about Smith liking reloads, I didn't mention that to them. Although, being lead bullets they can guess that one. I am loading with a Lee 4 die set, and paid attention to getting a good crimp. Length wise, the semi WC's are at 1.250" (200 gr. #68) down to 1.165" on a 185 gr. SWC #30. So I may be wrong, but it would surprise me if length is the culpirt. Might have to just feed it with RN, which shoot just fine for my use. Thanks guys! SN

February 12, 2008, 03:11 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Sounds like it's not going into battery which has already been mentioned. Maybe the SWC's are getting a small amount of lead shaved off and getting between the chamber and brass preventing the cartridge from seating fully.

February 12, 2008, 05:19 PM	#10
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	WC O.K., Sruba Dub Dub, it's shiny clean now but what the heck. I just might get my ol' 3/8's twist drill out, and give her a real good ream job! SN

February 12, 2008, 07:21 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I kinda had in mind it the shoulder of the bullet might be getting scraped as it chambered letting a thin piece of lead get trapped between the chamber wall and the brass.

February 13, 2008, 04:18 PM	#12
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	I'm The Problem I now believe, after my trip to the range today. Found out when a round did not fire, first off my slide wasn't forward enough to engage the saftey as I first thought. Then after removing the round from the chamber, I noticed a slight amount of lead buildup at the mouth of the casing. The casing had pushed a ridge, not a sliver, but enough to create a problem when chambered. So, I have the red face, for not flaring the cases enough. It ain't much lead, but the new Smith doesn't like anything besides the casing in the chamber. Thanks one and all, I have to get my act together and make sure that I wear my specs! Best regards, SN