In Battery Issue

ShootingNut · January 31, 2008, 09:06 AM

Brand new S&W 1911, feeds and fires my 200 gr LRN (7.8 gr. A#5) with no problem.
When trying our 225 gr LTCFP (same charge), they feed properly, slide seems forward all the way, cartridge shows in top hole, but can't trigger firing pin.
BOTH bullets seated at 1.210".
Any ideas or thoughts? Thought about going with maybe a OAL of 1.200", but it doesn't seem to be a feeding problem. Time to call up Smith, or what else should I try?
Regards,
SN

Sevens · January 31, 2008, 09:27 AM

Slide seems forward all the way? I know the S&W 1911's use a firing pin lockwork similar to the Series 80s Colts where most all other 1911 clones follow the basic Series 70 setup, so there may be a difference in there.

But if your slide is forward enough to click the manual safety in to engagement, then it's also forward enough to pull the trigger and drop the hammer and fire.

If it were me, I'd field strip it and drop your 200 grainers in the chamber and see, feel and check out how it sits. Then, do the same thing with your new 225 grainers. Are they the same?

Any 1911 nut will tell you that these pistols like/need to be massaged, stroked and tweaked, but all of them are very dearly loved. Mine's no different.

ShootingNut · January 31, 2008, 09:45 AM

Thanks, I thought of that also just hadn't done it yet.
The gun has only about 50 rounds through it, as corny as it sounds maybe it's just a "breakin" issue? The unfired cartridge ejects normally, so again I do believe the slide is forward. But I know what you mean, the cartridge has to seat in the chamber just right, in order for the firing pin to function. As you said, I should have tried the safety, didn't think about that to confirm the slide position.
I suspect also that maybe the Lee crimp turned out a little different on the
RN bullets than the TC's, as the RN has a grove in the lead right at the mouth of the casing. Seems like that allowed the crimp to taper in a tad more.
I'll try more crimp on the TC's, maybe that's it? Seating the lead deeper for a shorter OAL, doesn't seem to me like it would help in my case?
SN

January 31, 2008, 09:06 AM	#1
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	In Battery Issue Brand new S&W 1911, feeds and fires my 200 gr LRN (7.8 gr. A#5) with no problem. When trying our 225 gr LTCFP (same charge), they feed properly, slide seems forward all the way, cartridge shows in top hole, but can't trigger firing pin. BOTH bullets seated at 1.210". Any ideas or thoughts? Thought about going with maybe a OAL of 1.200", but it doesn't seem to be a feeding problem. Time to call up Smith, or what else should I try? Regards, SN

January 31, 2008, 09:27 AM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Slide seems forward all the way? I know the S&W 1911's use a firing pin lockwork similar to the Series 80s Colts where most all other 1911 clones follow the basic Series 70 setup, so there may be a difference in there. But if your slide is forward enough to click the manual safety in to engagement, then it's also forward enough to pull the trigger and drop the hammer and fire. If it were me, I'd field strip it and drop your 200 grainers in the chamber and see, feel and check out how it sits. Then, do the same thing with your new 225 grainers. Are they the same? Any 1911 nut will tell you that these pistols like/need to be massaged, stroked and tweaked, but all of them are very dearly loved. Mine's no different. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

January 31, 2008, 09:45 AM	#3
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Sevens Thanks, I thought of that also just hadn't done it yet. The gun has only about 50 rounds through it, as corny as it sounds maybe it's just a "breakin" issue? The unfired cartridge ejects normally, so again I do believe the slide is forward. But I know what you mean, the cartridge has to seat in the chamber just right, in order for the firing pin to function. As you said, I should have tried the safety, didn't think about that to confirm the slide position. I suspect also that maybe the Lee crimp turned out a little different on the RN bullets than the TC's, as the RN has a grove in the lead right at the mouth of the casing. Seems like that allowed the crimp to taper in a tad more. I'll try more crimp on the TC's, maybe that's it? Seating the lead deeper for a shorter OAL, doesn't seem to me like it would help in my case? SN