Got everything put together for a function test on the Springfield I'm customizing today. Everything works, except I'm getting a 40 to 50% ratio of stovepipes with full powered loads.
What can I do to solve this? I'm using a full powered recoil spring on a full length guide rod, should I use a lower powered spring? I know I don't want to use too weak or I'll batter the frame to death.
Load: Factory 230gr Ball (Wolf)
Mag: Chip McCormick 8 rnd Power Spring
Comp is threaded to the barrel. There is no bushing, it has a reverse plug. There is plenty of clearance between the guide rod and plug, it cycles nicely by hand.
The pistol functioned perfectly with this ammo and this mag when stock.
Oh, feed ramp is on the frame. Not a ramped barrel.
Depends what you modified? You said it functioned perfectly when stock with the same ammo and mag. So the answer must be one of the modifications. Take one of try the gun, if it doesnt solve the problem put it back on and take another one off and try it etc. What did you modify?
I may be incorrectly using the term "stovepipe."
The pistol is failing to eject not failing to feed. It feeds just fine.
Check the tension on the extractor. Sound like the brass is coming loose before it hits the ejector. If the gun is cycling faster due to a (new?) heavy spring, you may need to add an extended ejector to get the brass out faster.
I ran another mag through it just now.
It's the original recoil spring, on a new 1 pc guide rod.
2 ejected, 3 got caught without ejecting all of the way, 3 spent casings were rechambered.
It's like the slide isn't coming back far enough to even hit the ejector every time.
OK Min, sorry but I did think that you were having feeding problems- on track now. Did you just install that comp? Your barrel is now heavier @ the muzzle, therefore you'll need a lighter recoil spring to allow it to cycle fully. Don't worry about battering the frame, just go down to like 12-14 lb it should be fine, I've heard of guys using as low as 4lb shooting .40S&W. If it's a major consern-then just add a buffer. Get a veriety pack & go lower until the problem is solved. If it starts ejecting the cases more than 5-8 feet away- go heavier.
Also as stated above an extended ejector would be a good thing. I cannot see the ejection side, but it should have a lowered & flared ejection port. And if it is leaving the case in the chamber - make sure you do have good extractor tension & confirm that it is in fact grabbing the case.
Got 12 and 14 lb springs on order. I don't know how to check extractor tension, but I can confirm it's grabbing the case rim and pulling it with the slide. The ejection port is flared.
Also means your compensator is working pretty good! Good comp designs will stall barrel unlock, both by weight and the exhausted gas direction (pushing down on the muzzle end). Look on Blindhogg's site for extractor info. Is this gonna be a Bowling Pin gun?
I'm guessing that you'll end up with the 12 pound, especially since you said it was rechambering brass. (You might still want an extended ejector)
Can not see the ejection port in the photo. I lowered the ejection port on a 1911 that constantly gave me problems with ejecting shells ( some stove pipes and sometimes the shell was horizontal, holding the slide back). since lowering the ejection port I have not had a single jam!
38Super, a pin gun is the idea since I don't think I can compete in any Open Classes with a single stack, but I'm also going to fit a bull barrel so I can swap back and forth. The comp really does seem to work well from a felt recoil/flip standpoint. Mostly I just wanted to do it just because I think it's kind of cool.
I know that more knowledgeable folks abound, but as I understand it, the extractor should hold a case on the slide(when removed from the frame) but not be so tight that it causes feeding problems.
Min, did you make the comp? If you're leaning toward a pin gun, go for more weight in the comp. Don't need more than 3 ports on a 45, baffle surface area is your friend. Baffle angles and spacing is another interesting experiment area. Go shoot it in open class, friend of mine did until he bought an STI.
If I can get my hands on my own lathe in the next year believe me I'll do lots of experiments on comps, both with this .45 and with other guns, but I have too limitied machine time available now to do so. So I've got to be happy with the fact that it works pretty good for my first try.
12 lb Wilson spring and it runs like a champ. Thanks for the help and suggestions.
12 lb spring may seem low for most folk, I've seen open class 38 supercomps run on 8-9 lbs.
Try double at 20 yds. If the second shot is low, reduce recoil spring 1 lb til happy. Vise versus for a high second shot. 2 holes about an inch apart is DNO. If the barrel unlocks too soon (smoke n powder spray, may feel the slide slamming too), get an unfinished FP stop plate (EGW?). Last is vary the MSH spring from 20-17 lbs, this will affect your trigger pull some.
If you stick with a load, you can experiment with removing slide weight. This is somewhat controversial in many circle, and is typically done with Steel Challenge pistols (purpose built).