1911 FTF first round

[nickf829]

My Kimber Custom II has shot great since I acquired it, I took it out yesterday for about 100-150 rounds, and the last probably 10 mags I fed it failed to feed the first round. I tried removing a bullet or two from each mag, and it still would have trouble feeding that first round. After it ate the first bullet, the rest would feed flawlessly.

When the failures occured, the bullet would go into the chamber at an angle and get stuck, or go into the chamber about 90% then not go any further. Removing the mag was all I needed to do to get the bullet to drop out of the chamber so it wasn't disasterous, but it was annoying.

BTW I was shooting WWB and Federal Red box, which both boxes fired without issue prior to this last outing.

Any ideas?

[Everett113]

Wre you releasing the slide with the slide lock?
or were you racking the slide by hand?

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II and have had FTF issues with WWB ammo.
When I shoot IDPA with WWB I run a BORE SNAKE thru it half way thru.

[nickf829]

I tried racking the slide by hand and popping it with the slide lock, both way had the same result. Is there a "best" way to do it?

It did it with the Federal red box as well. I've run about 300 rds of WWB thru it so far and this is the first I've had an issue.

[zephyp]

Nick - sorry its hicupping on you. Never gave me a problem. Check the feed ramp. Are you using the Kimber mags or did you go to 8 rounders...

[nickf829]

No worries DK, Its just weird because it just started happening out of the blue after a few hundred rounds. I was thinking today, it's probably about time to change the recoil spring since Kimbers have a 800rd lifespan, I wonder if that could have something to do with it?

Also, they are the Kimber mags that came with it, I havn't ventured into the great unknown of aftermarket mags for these yet, mostly because I hear the 1911's are pretty picky about their mags so I've been hesitant. I already have a MK2 that hates any mags other than the 2 that came with it, even if the new mags are Rugers.

[zephyp]

Dont know Nick. If its the first round I'm not sure what the spring would have to do with that. Maybe Bill can chime in...

[ynoty3k]

I've had that issue too, I'm 99% sure that the feed ramp is the issue. I have had it as sporadic too. Also, if you pull the slide back even the slightest bit the round hops up the ramp and loads properly.

Same gun too,

[gunderwood]

Just a thought, but the fact that the first round always does it regardless of the number of rounds loaded, suggests that there is something about the firing that allows the other rounds to feed fine. When we load mags we tend to push the bullet as far back into the mag as possible. After the first shot, the rounds tend to slide forward in the mag slightly. In some guns this means they "jump" out of the mag differently than when seated to the rear of the mag. This could be a feed geometry problem (ramp, mag lips, ammo out of spec, etc.) or as other has suggested, the racking is weak.

[zephyp]

I developed a habit a long time ago to give a loaded mag a smack to seat all the cartridges against the back of the mag before locking it...this might help...

[BluemontGlock]

Curious Side Question-
Do most 1911 recoil springs need to be replaced at 800 rounds...that just doesn't seem like alot to me... or is this Kimber specific?

Having fired this pistol at sharpshooters, it is one tight unit...very curious to see what you come up with as the specific issue and solution...
Thanks!

[nickf829]

I've seen it recomended to replace Kimber's recoil spring every 800rds, but the instruction manual recomends replacing after 1800rds. I don't know about any other 1911's as this is my first. I am about to order a new recoil spring or two now that I'm thinking about it, if nothing else it doesn't hurt to have them on hand.

As for the loading ramp.. it looks smooth, no visible burrs or anything to indicate wear. I'm thinking of rubbing a bit of polishing compound on it to maybe smooth out any unseen rough patches that could be causing issue. I'm a bit skeptical about doing much more than polishing compound by hand on a ramp
because its so easy to take off to much.

Is there any other way to verify if its a feed ramp issue other than visual inspection?

I will get out again next weekend and try to figure out what the cause of the issue is... It's depressing that I posted this now 1 month ago and havn't been shooting since.. 12-14hr work days plus school 5 days a week really take a toll on the fun stuff in life.

[nickf829]

I completely stripped, cleaned, lubed and took it out with a new box of ammo, and went 100ish rds without a hiccup. I think it was an ammo issue with the last box I shot. I know when I went out the last time, I was firing from 2 boxes, but I'm thinking the issue didn't occur until I moved onto the WWB which I know for a fact was the ammo I was shooting when I was having an issue. I bought a new box of WWB last weekend and took the gun out and had not a single issue... maybe a box of slightly "off" ammo was the culprit? Who knows, all I know is it shoots as good as it should, now if only I could do the same.

[zephyp]

Hey, Nick glad to hear that. I shot several different brands without any issue. Hope it doesnt give you any more grief...

[FirinFlatTop]

I had the same problem with a box of WWB. Shot them and have not used them again and no more problems. Also through a Kimber. 1300 through it now and the only time was with the WWB on the first round also.

[Paliden]

Like DK said always seat your cartridges in your mags. Also HP's, flat nose bullitts have more feding problems than others. One thing I do every 500/1000 rounds is take a good metal polish and clean and polish the ramp. Think about it, it gets hit EVERY round. Can't help you on ammo as I reload all mine