1911 FTF to feed last round

Logs · May 5, 2013, 06:54 AM

I have a Para GI and was shooting it this weekend and twice would not feed the last round in the mag. I had eight rounds in one mag and then it did it again with only five rounds. I tried two different brands of mags and it happened twice with factory ball ammo UMC and Aguila. It was cleaned before I began to shoot and only shot about 30 rounds through it yesterday. Round would only seat in the chamber about half way.

Any suggestions on what could be going on?

Hunter Customs · May 5, 2013, 09:12 AM

Most last round fail to feeds is caused by a weak mag spring.
You say it's only happened twice, in different mags, I would think this to be more of an ammo issue or shooter induced issue.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

Logs · May 5, 2013, 10:14 AM

I was using a Para mag and then a mag that came with my new Taurus 1911. It happened to me and my dad while we were shooting yesterday. Seems like a gun problem if two people had the same issue?

g.willikers · May 5, 2013, 10:53 AM

One thing to check is inside the mags for dirt and rust.
Maybe the springs are ok, but hanging up.
Could also be the mag springs if they are old and weak.
Could also be the recoil spring on the verge.
Could be none of these things.
Life is confusing.

HiBC · May 5, 2013, 03:18 PM

Here is a 'maybe" place to look.

As the last round clears the follower,the follower raises and engages the slide stop.That ordinarily is how the slide stays open on the last round.

Could be maybe something like a weak plunger spring or something about your tolerances is letting the slide stop find something to drag on,like your disassy notch.

On Colt single stack mags,there is a little dimple raised on the follower to help hold the last round from scooting forward during recoil.Do your followers have that dimple?

You can't go wrong replacing your mag springs with Wolfe +10 % springs.

While you are at it,recoil spring could play a part if it is weak.How?

If the slide is smacking the frame with sufficient violence,it will help knock the handgun back out from under the last round.

dahermit · May 5, 2013, 03:34 PM

I am assuming that all the magazines that are failing to feed the last round have "dimpled" followers?

1911Tuner · May 5, 2013, 04:34 PM

Technically, this is a failure to go to/return to battery...not a failure to feed.

A question or three, sir...

When the stoppage occurs...can you bump or push the slide to battery fairly easily...or do you have to pull back on the slide a short distance and release it? If you have to pull back on the slide and release it...does it snap to battery smartly...or is it sluggish?

Last...

When releasing the slide from lock on a full magazine...especially if you use the slidestop...is there a distinctive "ka-chunk" sound and/or feel as it chambers the round?

And...

Have you noticed a light gouge about 1/8th inch long running laterally just below the case mouth on the jammed rounds?

Logs · May 7, 2013, 03:12 PM

Cleaned weapon and went to range today ......

Took six mags and wolf recoil spring. Ran two mags no problem third mag stoppage on last round. I could bump the slide and it would load and sometimes it would not go forward. I loaded all six mags with three rounds each and it would snag on last round almost every time. Fired 60 Rds total today. Swapped out recoil spring with no difference. Didn't notice any marks on brass

I guess I ship it back to Para??

Runs great minus the last round in most any mag....

Edit. Para sending me pick up label for repair...,

g.willikers · May 7, 2013, 04:11 PM

Just to make sure we're all on the same page,
The gun runs fine, except when trying to feed the last round from the magazine?
But inconsistently so?

polyphemus · May 7, 2013, 06:37 PM

hello,This may sound overly simplistic but yours truly has often resolved
last round ftf's by adjusting extractor tension.Believe or not last round ftf's
are one of the symptoms of too high spring pressure on the cartridge.

Nathan · May 16, 2013, 05:30 PM

I cannot imagine why you are not seeing this issue on other rounds in the magazine, but I think I would check extractor tension first. It seems like it is too tight or possibly binding. This is the "Power extractor" or whatever Para calls it, right. I'm wondering if other rounds are having this issue, but the next round is bumping it up somehow.

Also, 1911tuner is a true master of the platform, so I would answer his questions and see where that goes.

Wreck-n-Crew · May 16, 2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

I'm wondering if other rounds are having this issue, but the next round is bumping it up somehow.

Seems this is my view.
That accompanied with a rough area on or near the ramp seems reasonable.

IF it is a warranty thing, best to send it back in case I am wrong, but it seems like it needs a good polish job.

Try locking the slide and hand feeding a snap cap. If hand feeding directly into the chamber is rough or too tight, there is your problem.

James K · May 16, 2013, 07:36 PM

It might be the magazine catch. Try holding the magazine up when firing that last round and see if that solves the problem.

Jim

Wreck-n-Crew · May 16, 2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

It might be the magazine catch. Try holding the magazine up when firing that last round and see if that solves the problem.

Good catch.
Ive seen them do exactly what your saying. It's catching the last round as the mag is sitting lower than it should causing the round to feed at a bad angle.
Seems even more likely after second thought .

Never know for sure when the thing isn't in your hands to examine it. Even then can be a challenge.

Say maybe put two rounds in it and do what James said first.

**4V50 Gary** · May 17, 2013, 02:55 AM

Buy a Colt mag, test it and get back to us.

HiBC · May 17, 2013, 05:59 AM

Looking at the pix,I'd give polyphemus some cred,at least look close at the ext.

May 5, 2013, 06:54 AM	#1
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	1911 FTF to feed last round I have a Para GI and was shooting it this weekend and twice would not feed the last round in the mag. I had eight rounds in one mag and then it did it again with only five rounds. I tried two different brands of mags and it happened twice with factory ball ammo UMC and Aguila. It was cleaned before I began to shoot and only shot about 30 rounds through it yesterday. Round would only seat in the chamber about half way. Any suggestions on what could be going on? __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

May 5, 2013, 10:14 AM	#3
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	I was using a Para mag and then a mag that came with my new Taurus 1911. It happened to me and my dad while we were shooting yesterday. Seems like a gun problem if two people had the same issue? __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER

May 5, 2013, 10:53 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	One thing to check is inside the mags for dirt and rust. Maybe the springs are ok, but hanging up. Could also be the mag springs if they are old and weak. Could also be the recoil spring on the verge. Could be none of these things. Life is confusing. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 5, 2013, 04:34 PM	#7
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 666	FTF Technically, this is a failure to go to/return to battery...not a failure to feed. A question or three, sir... When the stoppage occurs...can you bump or push the slide to battery fairly easily...or do you have to pull back on the slide a short distance and release it? If you have to pull back on the slide and release it...does it snap to battery smartly...or is it sluggish? Last... When releasing the slide from lock on a full magazine...especially if you use the slidestop...is there a distinctive "ka-chunk" sound and/or feel as it chambers the round? And... Have you noticed a light gouge about 1/8th inch long running laterally just below the case mouth on the jammed rounds? __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

May 7, 2013, 03:12 PM	#8
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	Cleaned weapon and went to range today ...... Took six mags and wolf recoil spring. Ran two mags no problem third mag stoppage on last round. I could bump the slide and it would load and sometimes it would not go forward. I loaded all six mags with three rounds each and it would snag on last round almost every time. Fired 60 Rds total today. Swapped out recoil spring with no difference. Didn't notice any marks on brass I guess I ship it back to Para?? Runs great minus the last round in most any mag.... Edit. Para sending me pick up label for repair..., __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER Last edited by Logs; May 8, 2013 at 11:18 AM.

May 5, 2013, 09:12 AM	#2
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Most last round fail to feeds is caused by a weak mag spring. You say it's only happened twice, in different mags, I would think this to be more of an ammo issue or shooter induced issue. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

May 5, 2013, 03:18 PM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Here is a 'maybe" place to look. As the last round clears the follower,the follower raises and engages the slide stop.That ordinarily is how the slide stays open on the last round. Could be maybe something like a weak plunger spring or something about your tolerances is letting the slide stop find something to drag on,like your disassy notch. On Colt single stack mags,there is a little dimple raised on the follower to help hold the last round from scooting forward during recoil.Do your followers have that dimple? You can't go wrong replacing your mag springs with Wolfe +10 % springs. While you are at it,recoil spring could play a part if it is weak.How? If the slide is smacking the frame with sufficient violence,it will help knock the handgun back out from under the last round.

May 5, 2013, 03:34 PM	#6
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I am assuming that all the magazines that are failing to feed the last round have "dimpled" followers?

May 7, 2013, 04:11 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Just to make sure we're all on the same page, The gun runs fine, except when trying to feed the last round from the magazine? But inconsistently so? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 7, 2013, 06:37 PM	#10
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	hello,This may sound overly simplistic but yours truly has often resolved last round ftf's by adjusting extractor tension.Believe or not last round ftf's are one of the symptoms of too high spring pressure on the cartridge.

May 16, 2013, 05:30 PM	#11
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	I cannot imagine why you are not seeing this issue on other rounds in the magazine, but I think I would check extractor tension first. It seems like it is too tight or possibly binding. This is the "Power extractor" or whatever Para calls it, right. I'm wondering if other rounds are having this issue, but the next round is bumping it up somehow. Also, 1911tuner is a true master of the platform, so I would answer his questions and see where that goes.

May 16, 2013, 07:36 PM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It might be the magazine catch. Try holding the magazine up when firing that last round and see if that solves the problem. Jim

May 17, 2013, 02:55 AM	#15
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Buy a Colt mag, test it and get back to us. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 17, 2013, 05:59 AM	#16
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Looking at the pix,I'd give polyphemus some cred,at least look close at the ext.