Curtis(USAF)
New member
So there I was, standing at the firing range, sending 230 grain FMJ downrange, when suddenly, my 1911 failed to return to battery. While pointing the gun safely downrange, I give the back of the slide a slap with my palm. I was firing some cheap, dirty ammo, and was thinking that either the slide rails or the feed ramp had gotten fouled. No dice on the slap. So I palm the bottom of my magazine and press the mag release. The mag doesn't fall out, it doesn't go anywhere.
While carefully keeping barrel pointed downrange, I pull the slide back, lock it into place, and gave the breach a look see. There was a round that appeared to be wedged firmly in the feedlips of my magazine. Odd. I dropped the bolt, the round promptly nose dived a little, now it definitely wouldn't feed. Otherwise, it was still firmly wedged in the feedlips, protruding slightly forward of the magazine, ensuring that I couldn't drop the mag.
Heres Where I'm pretty sure I did something stupid, safety wise. Consider for a moment the fact that I was new to weapons, and am still pretty new to weapons. The range I was at, didn't have an a range safety monitor. While I was off in lala land sending steel downrange, the wise old gentleman and two young ladies who had also been shooting, had already packed up and went home. I slid the bolt back, and pried the round forwards with my car-keys. until it finally came forward enough for me to drop the magazine, and clear the weapon. I immediately inspected the gun, for any problems. Nothing. Then I looked at the mag. Teeny-Tiny, almost invisible cracks had formed near the back of the mag, on the feed lips. I immediately junked the mag, and went to fish for my other, identical magazine.
I slammed the mag home, and was two seconds away from drawing the bolt back, when I thought "Wait a minute..." I yanked the magazine out, looked it over, and sure enough; It had teeny tiny hairline cracks on its feed lips as well! I almost jammed my weapon a second time in a row!
I switched magazine brands, routinely and regularly inspect my mags, and thankfully haven't had a problem since.
First, the lesson is; Don't forget to inspect your magazines and ammunition, just as much as you inspect your firearm. Its a total and complete system, As far as ammo goes, I routinely eyeball my bullets, and currently have 6 rounds of ammo sitting in a bag waiting to be properly disposed of. Why? The crimps were bad, and the bullets deep-seated into their head spacing. You don't have to break out a pair of calipers, just don't forget to give everything a decent look over.
Secondly, a question. What is the correct procedure in the event of a weapon malfunction on the firing range, that prevents the weapon from being unloaded or safed? I'm pretty sure that prying out a cartridge with a pair of carkeys would not be considered the 'safe' thing to do, especially considering the fact that I couldn't reach the sides or front of the round, so most of the force was applied to the rear, where the primer is.
While carefully keeping barrel pointed downrange, I pull the slide back, lock it into place, and gave the breach a look see. There was a round that appeared to be wedged firmly in the feedlips of my magazine. Odd. I dropped the bolt, the round promptly nose dived a little, now it definitely wouldn't feed. Otherwise, it was still firmly wedged in the feedlips, protruding slightly forward of the magazine, ensuring that I couldn't drop the mag.
Heres Where I'm pretty sure I did something stupid, safety wise. Consider for a moment the fact that I was new to weapons, and am still pretty new to weapons. The range I was at, didn't have an a range safety monitor. While I was off in lala land sending steel downrange, the wise old gentleman and two young ladies who had also been shooting, had already packed up and went home. I slid the bolt back, and pried the round forwards with my car-keys. until it finally came forward enough for me to drop the magazine, and clear the weapon. I immediately inspected the gun, for any problems. Nothing. Then I looked at the mag. Teeny-Tiny, almost invisible cracks had formed near the back of the mag, on the feed lips. I immediately junked the mag, and went to fish for my other, identical magazine.
I slammed the mag home, and was two seconds away from drawing the bolt back, when I thought "Wait a minute..." I yanked the magazine out, looked it over, and sure enough; It had teeny tiny hairline cracks on its feed lips as well! I almost jammed my weapon a second time in a row!
I switched magazine brands, routinely and regularly inspect my mags, and thankfully haven't had a problem since.
First, the lesson is; Don't forget to inspect your magazines and ammunition, just as much as you inspect your firearm. Its a total and complete system, As far as ammo goes, I routinely eyeball my bullets, and currently have 6 rounds of ammo sitting in a bag waiting to be properly disposed of. Why? The crimps were bad, and the bullets deep-seated into their head spacing. You don't have to break out a pair of calipers, just don't forget to give everything a decent look over.
Secondly, a question. What is the correct procedure in the event of a weapon malfunction on the firing range, that prevents the weapon from being unloaded or safed? I'm pretty sure that prying out a cartridge with a pair of carkeys would not be considered the 'safe' thing to do, especially considering the fact that I couldn't reach the sides or front of the round, so most of the force was applied to the rear, where the primer is.
