.45 OACP peculiar problem

[woodit]

Need help with a particular problem.

Have a Model 80 Officers' Colt .45 ACP (circa 1980). Some years back I smashed my left elbow. Only lasting effect is that my left arm no longer extends quite all the way. I am a righty anyway. However, when I use a two-handed grip, I can't extend my right arm all the way because of my left arm. This results in my having to keep my elbows bent just a bit when I shoot two-handed. The bend in my elbows is just enough to allow the pistol to recoil a bit upon firing. This recoil, in turn, takes up some of the energy that the recoil spring would otherwise absorb. This, in turn, keeps the mechanism from applying enough force to fully eject the spent shell, which, in turn, results in "stovepiping" of the spent shell every 5-6 rounds.

If you have been able to follow all this, what can I do to overcome this problem?

Thanks.

woodit

 

[Ben]

A good quality gun should be able to shrugg off an absorbant person (?)

I've shot my Ruger with as loose a grip as possible and ridden the recoil just to see if I can get it too stove-pipe... but to no avail. Keep with the stance that allows it to eject reliably... how about trying some different ammo too?

I've heard Glocks can be tempermental, but I think we hear about the Glock's problems only because there are so many Glocks out there.

Ben

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[This message has been edited by Ben (edited June 21, 2000).]

 

[J. Parker]

woodit; Bummer man! I'm not sure 1911 45's are more or less prone to limp wristing (which the condition seems similiar too)or not. I don't have a 1911 but some of the other guys and gals might be able to advise. I've tried to limp wrist Beretta's, Ruger's, a Glock 21 etc without success. You might just have to settle on a pistol that is not prone to the effects of limp wristing. Or even consider a revolver, then you won't have to worry about it. Best, J. Parker

 

[David Scott]

Try a Weaver stance instead of Isosceles. Seems most instructors teach Isosceles these days, but I kind of like Weaver myself. Learned it back in the '70s.

 

[Jeff, CA]

Do you use a Weaver or isoceles stance? The support (left) arm is pretty well bent (45 degrees or so), and the firing side is straight in a proper Weaver.

Try experimenting with varying amounts of "blade" in your stance - rotate your body (feet, hips & shoulders) clockwise until your hands are together, pointed at the target, with left elbow bent and right elbow straight, or close to it. Keep the left elbow down and in.

 

[Mark King]

Woodit, Go to gunsprings.com and order a 24# recoil spring for your pistol. Install it along with the extra power firing pin spring that will be packaged with the recoil spring and test it out. With your elbow problem you should be able to use the Weaver stance and get good results. mark / fl

 

[JimFox]

I would recommend the change in stance first. A modified Weaver should work - butt of the gun in the palm of supporting hand, elbow down (a little out from your sternum (sp?). Personally when I use this stance I have better luck with the arched mainspring housing on a full sized Gov. If the stance solves the feeding problem, but you find you have a tendency to shoot a little lower when you're in a hurry you might try arching the MS housing with a little tape to see if that helps. (Cheaper than buying an aftermarket MSH and then finding it doesn't work.)

It has been my experience that the little stubbies are more sensitive to limp wristing than are the larger guns.

If you've shot the gun a lot (several thousand rounds) then the recoil springs might be getting a bit "tired". In that case you should probably get new springs (or spring - depending on maker) anyway.

Good luck.

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Jim Fox