1911 case ejection

[rio grande]

I'm currently shooting a Springfield GI 1911, very basic model.
Its working very well, no problems with functioning.
BUT - with all the loads I've tried, most cases are ejected back towards me instead of to the right, with many hitting, usually, the brim of my cap.
Some in my shirt pocket, which is handy.
What do you knowledgeable people do to correct this?
THANKS

[Lloyd Smale]

you need to adjust your ejector.

[Mikey]

Lloyd:  will you advise him how to go about doing that??? Mikey.

[Lloyd Smale]

mikey theres probably better people on here to tell him how to do it.

[Savage]

The only thing you can do with the ejector is to shorten it a little so that the empty case will be ejected a little later in the recoil cycle, therefore a little more to the right. I suspect that is not the problem. I'm thinking it might be an extractor tension problem. Being a milspec, the case might also be hitting the ejection port and bouncing back. If the cases are dented that's probably part of the problem.
Just a SWAG based on my experiences.
Savage

[jimster]

I don't know much about shaping ejectors, I've read about it....But anyways with my mil-spec model when it was new I had the same problem with
some cases bouncing off my forehead,  I did have a problem with the tension on the EXTRACTOR....I changed the tension, and then the cases did go
off to the right.  Mine was holding the cases too tight, cause every once in awhile it would bind up and I'd have a failure to go all the way into battery.
After a while, I bought an aftermarket extractor and I have not had a problem since I put in a new one. 
I'm betting it's the extractor too.  I heard SA put out some iffy ones.  30 bucks will get you an aftermarket one.

[jimster]

I was just reading some info on ejectors,  there is a lot to just having the proper angle on an ejector and where the brass goes after it hits the ejector. 
I'm not really sure if my changing extractor had that much to do with the brass not bouncing off my head anymore or not...so many variables.
Anyways...I was reading where there are people out there that know how to change the angle on an ejector and get the brass to all fall in a neat little pile
off to the right of the gun...I'm not one of them...I can't even figure out if the straighter ejector or more angled ejector goes with high or lowered ejection port.
I'm not much good at reading this stuff an understanding.  But I bet if you searched for a good 1911 smith, they could either tweak it or tell you about it.
Lloyd is probably on the money with just the ejector....and I don't really have a clue on why mine stopped bouncing them off my head, when I changed
extractors, I also put in a new firing pin stop...for all I know my extractor was moving on me, and the new parts made that stop.

Do a search on ejectors, and gunsmiths, or maybe somebody reading this will know about ejectors. 

[Mikey]

OK, I am now somewhat 'versed' on 'adjusting the ejector' and may try that with my old Commander, which has thrown the occasional piece of brass back at my forehead for almost 40 years and with a couple of different ejectors.  But, I am also about to have the slide shipped out for Novak style sights and ejection port flaring.  Might even drop in an Ed Brown barrel.  May even check my prices on a new S&W1911 in the same 4" bbl length and see what a trade will get me...............

jmster:  1911 extractors are incredibly inexpensive from most large parts supply houses.  Try Mid-South for 1911 extractors.  You adjust an extractor by 're-torsioning' it - that is, you bend it to have more or less tension when you insert it to the slide.  If the 'claw' doesn't look perfect you can clean it up with a small Swiss file or a Arkansas stone.  You may have to to the same with one of the more expensive, ultra-light, super perfectionist extra cost extractors too, so save your $.  Mikey.

[rbwillnj]

First question is:  Do you have a military style ejector or and extended ejector.   Military style ejectors are designed to send the case more up than out.  The top half of the front of the military style ejector is angled up.  An extended ejector is found on most newer guns with lowered ejection ports.  It has an extension on the end, and is generally undercut (ie the front face of the extension is angled down) and these ejectors tend to make the case eject out the side.   

If you have a military ejector, consider replacing it with an extended ejector.  If you have an extended ejector you can change the angle of the extension, undercutting it a little more.  Just do a little bit at a time.

[rio grande]

thanks to everyone, lots of good info.
my cases aren't being dinged up or bent, and I don't have the lowered port.
 I'll try (1) retensioning the extractor, then (2) maybe a new extractor, since I'd like a spare anyway.
Then if I still have trouble,I'll try  (3) an extended ejector and possible filing/fitting.
BUT - why don't our manufacturers get it right to start with?
This kind of thing is why 1911's get a bad rap.
 

[SHOOTALL]

check the ser # , you may have a pistol equiped with a gang banger set up !
if you canted gun to side like on TV the case would not hit you in the head ! but fly off to your left !
I hope this clears up things !

[Lloyd Smale]

if they had to hand fit and tune every ejector or any other part you wouldnt be buying them for 500 bucks. Figuring the average gunsmith gets over 50 bucks an hour you can see where handfitting would greatly add to the cost. Its easier to just put together guns and hope that most of them run and repair the ones that dont.

thanks to everyone, lots of good info.
my cases aren't being dinged up or bent, and I don't have the lowered port.
 I'll try (1) retensioning the extractor, then (2) maybe a new extractor, since I'd like a spare anyway.
Then if I still have trouble,I'll try  (3) an extended ejector and possible filing/fitting.
BUT - why don't our manufacturers get it right to start with?
This kind of thing is why 1911's get a bad rap.
 

[rbwillnj]

Actually, Rio Grande never mentioned what load he was using.   It sounded like the gun functioned fine, he was just getting boped on the head with brass.   I suspect that if he was using factory hardball ammo, the brass would be landing about 15 feet behind him.   

[rio grande]

Should have said - factory 230 grain hardball, also 6.4 unique w/ 230 grain plated lead bullet.
I'm real happy with the Springfield pistol.  Just the ejection 'problem' needs fixing.
BTW, I shot an old US&S 1911 yesterday...  looked beat up but shot like a champ!

[jmayton]

I have the same pistol and it had a similar problem...it would not fully eject the case and would jam.  Sent it back to springfield and they lowered and flared the ejection port....not entirely mil-spec any more, but it cycles and ejects just fine now with whatever ammo I put through it.  It was also extremely tight when first purchased, but has loosened up a bit now and I think more reliable because of it.

[jake2454]

first some things that i do know:
the once in a while erratic ejection can be from what is termed "extractor clocking", this is when the tolerance between the firing pin stop and the extractor slot is to great....allowing the extractor to bit by bit ever so slowly and erratically rotate. this changes the "grip angle" if you will, that the extractor has on the case, and this causes different ejection paths. also a recoil spring which is too weak will cause erratic ejection.
from what i have read, 3 to 6 ft...to the right and slightly behind is acceptable.
additionally as an earlier writer stated, improper extractor tension can also be a problem. the shop manual i use says that with the slide off, the extractor should be able to "just hold" a loaded round while swinging the slide from side to side.
basic ejector geometry is something like this:
with the slide off and the mag well empty, if you place a small flat piece of whatever (like a ruler) in the mag well and press it against the back of the mag well, that is the proper primary angle and starting length.
additional cuts with the file make a flat about .050-060 on the front end. when done it should have a small rectangular face with a relieving angle on the same incline as the mag well. finally a very small 45 degree cut on the inner corner of the above mention rectangle.
i hope this makes sense and helps