1911 FTE problems

B

BoogieMan

New member
I have a Kimber Target II SS in 9mm. I had a few failure to lock open on the last round issues that went away around 4-600 rnds. When I got up to the 1100 or so count it came back intermittently. Careful cleaning and living with the issue kept me shooting well into the 2000's before I got fed up with the problem. I was also noticing that the slide was closing slow under fire. I could actually see it hanging before it would shut. Figured it must be time for new recoil spring. Changed the recoil spring to a wolf progressive #14 (factory spec) and while I was at it I changed the slide lock to a WC trying to get some change. I used light lithium grease (sprayed onto cardboard then dabbed on with a cocktail stray) on the slide and link. Went to range. I got about 5 shots in and FTE. Racked it, fired, FTE. Changed ammo (I was shooting reloads) Racked it, FTE, again, FTE. So I assumed the grease was an issue. Field stripped, wiped everything out and re-assembled dry. FTE, rack, FTE, etc... I used 125gr LRN reloads over 4gr of HP238, 115gr Federal ball, and some HP speer +P stuff. Results were the same across the board.
Note: A few weeks back I was given some Blazer alum that had been wet. I fired a few and the cases were blowing apart. Stopped shooting them. Gun was filthy but appeared undamaged.

I am waiting on a spring pack from #10-#15 and I plan to start with a fresh #14 and step down until I get a working gun.

Has anyone had any similar issues? Any other ideas what I should be doing or trying? Weather is getting nice and I want to be shooting steel comps, this gun isnt up to the job.
 
Sorry. The E is eject. The cases are pulling back and when the slide moves far enough back I will get a stove pipe. I have never had a extractor/ejector problem. All my issues (IMO) have revolved around not getting the slide all the way back, including the failure to lock open on final round.
 
Fail to Eject

Could be short-cycling. Weak ammo or oversprung slide, coupled with a weak grip can do it. That would be the first place to look.

A guy came by here with a 9mm Colt Combat Commander with the same issues as you're having. The first thing I noticed was that the recoil spring was way yonder too heavy. I cut a 14-pound Government Model spring down to 24.5 coils and his ejection problems disappeared, even though it was still a mite bit oversprung.

Note that cutting a GM-length spring to work in a Commander will only work in Commanders with the standard recoil system. Bushingless/reverse plug setups will not work, nor will it fly with Colt Officer's Models.
 
For anyone who may be interested. I am reasonable sure I got the problem resolved. I did a careful cleaning and lubed with frog lube. Re-installed the #14 spring and functioned well but still had the failure to lock on last rnd. Dropped back to the #13 and it functions perfectly. Shot both factory and reloads with "0" issues.
Learned that I will not use lithium spray grease and the factory Kimber #14 is probably much closer to the Wolf #13. My kimber is fast and reliable once more. 2" groups at 15yds.
 
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