Author Topic: Springfield 1911A1 Mag trouble (Read 1091 times)

Maine Woods · « **on:** June 22, 2004, 05:26:43 AM »

I am sure this has been gone over before but I have allways been able to feed any thing through this gun HP ect. zero FTF . Now I am starting to have some troubles I am useing 2 Springfield factory mags and 2 El Cheepos all 4 will work with only 3 or 4 rounds ( 7 round mags ) and all 4 seem to not be flush with bottom of grip frame? Now if I hold these up tight to bottom of frame gun feeds NO PROBLEM. So is this a mag issue all these mags had been working. The gun is clean and the slide is properly lubed. Is there a mag tension adjustment? or a wear issue with mag catch. I bought the gun used and have put less than 800 rounds though it and I dont belive it had as many as that prior to my ownership I have a wolff 18.5 LB spring ( I think, I know it is heavy )

BamBams · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:05:03 AM »

My first inclination would be to remove and check the magazine catch. It could be binding somehow, worn, or possibly need a new spring put in it. Since the pistol is used, it's also possible that someone cut a few coils off that spring to lighten up the magazine release. This is pretty common. Since this is happening with all your mags, I doubt that it's a problem with the magazines.

Maine Woods · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2004, 06:41:06 AM »

Hey BamBamms thanks for the reply , I am going to order a new mag catch and spring and owners manual today. I think this is disassbled by one screw on the right side of grip frame? ( tight bugger! ) I am also going to order some high quality mags. I am also going to change to a flat mainspring housing and thin grips ( small hands and short fingers :oops: ) I am a bit nervous about the mainspring change :shock: I will keep you posted Thanks.

Maine Woods · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:31:16 AM »

:evil: OH CRAP I just broke the mag catch lock screw! now I WILL be going to a gunsmith!

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2004, 07:53:30 AM »

Don't worry about it. A call to Wilsoncombat.com will get you the replacement part. It's easy to do.

BamBams · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:07:35 AM »

Well....we all know what you did wrong! :lol:

You gotta push the mag release button in to turn that screw - otherwise, well ummmm.....now you know what happens.

Don't feel too badly about it. You aren't the first, and you won't be the last.

General instructions for removing a mag catch:

1) Push in the mag release button SLIGHTLY

2) GENTLY turn screw (on other side of mag release) about 1/4 turn counter-clockwise - it isn't a tight screw at all once you push the button in a little a get it pushed in the correct amount.

3) Mag release comes/falls right out.

To install - reverse the procedure.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:24:57 AM »

This is a good time to put in a plug for the Wilson combat video on dissassembly and reassembly. It tells you all of that. It's well worth it.

Maine Woods · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:40:54 AM »

Hey guys I will order the Wilson video when I finnish typing this post. I called my local smith he told me what I did wrong, the parts I allready ordered from Springfield. I will take the whole thing to him when I get the parts :oops: he told me a couple of days turn around :lol: . Well this is how I useually learn things :roll: Thanks for all the good advice and help! one more question? McCormick mags? Next time I will ask first and wait to hear many Thanks.

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2004, 09:45:56 AM »

How did you get the springfield parts? Do they have an exploded view on the web to look at, or do you call them and walk through the problem with them?

Maine Woods · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2004, 02:02:19 PM »

Hey Questor on the website the have a parts list with pictures, couple $ more than midway .I did not check brownells, springfield was easy and the are gioing to fit. I really look foward to learning more about this gun.

Mikey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2004, 02:25:38 AM »

Maine Woods: After you get your magazine catch replaced I would get a handfull of Chip McCormick 8 round mags. I picked up half a dozen of those to compliment a boxful of old GI mags and they have never given me a problem.

BTW, when you thake your gun to the gunsmith, make certain he checks the area where the magazine catch screw fits its slotted little body into the frame to make certain the only thing that got buggered up was the screw and that the catch fits properly, holds your mags in the right place and releases them properly. HTH. Mikey.

Maine Woods · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2004, 03:27:45 AM »

Hey Mikey will do I have a new mag catch, spring and latch on route from Springfield, I am very anxious. My schedule now allows for more shooting time, I own a good number of Firearms but this may be my favorite. I know it is one I would never part with, very accurate.