RA feeding trouble help please

original: forum.m1911.org
Retrieved: November 23, 2011
Last Post: March 07, 2011

ptisd309
2nd March 2011

My RIA 1911 just started having trouble feeding rounds. If I am using a 8 round Mag and the first round will not feed. If I am using a 7 round Mag the first round will not feed half the time the other time's it will work My RIA has close to 2500 to 3000 rounds through it. My question is can it be the Magazines or is it something worse.


11 Bravo
2nd March 2011

It may be that it's time to change to a new recoil spring. If your RIA is a full-size I recommend a standard 16 pound spring from Wolff.


niemi24s
2nd March 2011

If the gun's only had that many rounds through it since new, my guess is it may just need a clean & lube job. Lots of lube. If not, here's some other possibilities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/...ECs/edit?hl=en#


ahern25
2nd March 2011

Sounds like 11 Bravo might be right. Springs should be changed out every 1500 to 2000 rounds give or take 100 rounds. When did you replace your recoil spring if any?


ptisd309
2nd March 2011

I have not replaced the springs in it. I have cleaned it very well. I am ordering new springs today.


Cap
3rd March 2011

Quote:
My question is can it be the Magazines or is it something worse.

Yes and yes.

But my guess is, the new recoil spring you ordered will fix 'er up.


ptisd309
3rd March 2011

Quote:
but my guess is, the new recoil spring you ordered will fix 'er up.

I did order the spring last night hope to have it Saturday but i noticed the mag was pushing the bullets nose down causing the it the slam into the frame I am going to get a new mag this weekend and see how that works


niemi24s
3rd March 2011

Quote:
...the mag was pushing the bullets nose down causing the it the slam into the frame I am going to get a new mag this weekend and see how that works

I'm not saying a new magazine won't make your gun work better, but when a 1911 magazine - any 1911 magazine - is full, the top round will slam into the frame. And there's nothing that can be done to prevent it. It's all due to the gap between the top two rounds when the magazine is full, as shown here:

Fill your magazine and look. Your new magazine - any new magazine - will be just like that.

In addition, it's not the magazine that pushes the bullet nose down. The slide pushes the bullet nose down, as shown here:

The magazine merely allows the slide (because of the gap) to push the bullet nose down. As the magazine empties, the gap gets smaller and finally disappears when there's 4 or 5 rounds left. All that's the result of the angle of the magazine well. It's designed in. Even a $3,000 custom 1911 will do it.


ptisd309
7th March 2011

Replaced my recoil spring and my Rock is working like a champ again thanks guys for all the advice and help.


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