Browning 1911-380 feeding issue

CherokeeT · July 21, 2016, 01:06 PM

I have over 800 rounds thru my 1911-380, most my cast bullet reloads. Accuracy is fine with cast and factory jacketed ammo. Jacketed ammo has been 100% but with cast bullets I get about 4% vertical smokestack jams feeding the 7th round in either of the 3 mags I have. Actually, the nose of the bullet is jammed against the lower edge of the barrel hood. I have two cast loads with different nose shapes, both do this. I have tried OAL's from .930 to .960 and tried higher and lower powder charges. Can someone help in identifying what is causing the problem and offer a solution ? BTW, really like the gun or it would have been gone by now.

Bill DeShivs · July 21, 2016, 01:22 PM

Sounds like soft lead is hitting a sharp steel angle.
If this is the case, judicious "throating" is in order.

CherokeeT · July 21, 2016, 05:22 PM

I don't thinks its a throating problem, and the bullets are not soft (3/3/94 alloy). The bullet nose is caught on the middle to lower end of the nose, not the upper end. Also, the barrel has been throated. Its as though the nose is just being caught on the rounds way to being completely vertical.

mulespurs · July 22, 2016, 12:21 PM

I wonder if your magazines are gummy or sticky from your cast loads.
I know my 45 loads get a magazine gunked up pretty fast.

CherokeeT · July 22, 2016, 07:56 PM

Good thought on the mags...I'll look at that.

July 21, 2016, 01:06 PM	#1
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	Browning 1911-380 feeding issue I have over 800 rounds thru my 1911-380, most my cast bullet reloads. Accuracy is fine with cast and factory jacketed ammo. Jacketed ammo has been 100% but with cast bullets I get about 4% vertical smokestack jams feeding the 7th round in either of the 3 mags I have. Actually, the nose of the bullet is jammed against the lower edge of the barrel hood. I have two cast loads with different nose shapes, both do this. I have tried OAL's from .930 to .960 and tried higher and lower powder charges. Can someone help in identifying what is causing the problem and offer a solution ? BTW, really like the gun or it would have been gone by now. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

July 21, 2016, 01:22 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	Sounds like soft lead is hitting a sharp steel angle. If this is the case, judicious "throating" is in order. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

July 21, 2016, 05:22 PM	#3
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	I don't thinks its a throating problem, and the bullets are not soft (3/3/94 alloy). The bullet nose is caught on the middle to lower end of the nose, not the upper end. Also, the barrel has been throated. Its as though the nose is just being caught on the rounds way to being completely vertical. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

July 22, 2016, 12:21 PM	#4
mulespurs Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Posts: 115	Try this I wonder if your magazines are gummy or sticky from your cast loads. I know my 45 loads get a magazine gunked up pretty fast.

July 22, 2016, 07:56 PM	#5
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	Good thought on the mags...I'll look at that. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS