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1911 Operator Failure to Feed

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OperatorOwnerCO88

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Hey All,

I’m here today because I’m a bit worried about my purchase of my SA 1911 Operator. I purchased the gun through guns.com and I have had a failure to feed issue since I bought it. I’ve run between 1500-1750 rds through the gun at this point. I am still having a failure to feed issue. I have cleaned the gun regularly in a deep clean fashion. It will shoot true and feed fine after a thorough clean, but after 2 mags. It will fail to feed every 3-4 rds. The gun is lubed enough from my POV. Just looking to see if anyone has an idea or thoughts. I appreciate the feedback back.
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You could look at changing the recoil spring. I’m assuming you bought it used through Guns.com, so you probably don’t have a reliable account of how many rounds have been through it. I see it has a aftermarket trigger, so probably some work done on it. But even if it is new I would look at a lighter recoil spring. And of course I’d probably look at some Chip McCormick or Wilson Combat mags. If that doesn’t do it I’d seek out a gunsmith or call SA.
 
Welcome. My usual suspects are
1. Ammo. Underpowered or out of spec ammo. There needs to be enough recoil to compress the recoil spring. If it won't run on PMC 230 grain ball, then go to 2. Also some ammo will shoots dirty and can foul the rails.
2. Maintenance. You said you thoroughly clean and lube. Are you using gun grease on the rails? Oil won't stay put and can dry out especially in hot weather. Dry rails, especially when dirty, will retard the slide so it will not fully compress the recoil spring and you will get failure to feed.
3. Magazine. What magazines are you using? Check for crud or dings in the follower. Dirt, carbon, and grit in the magazines can cause failures. Magazines need to be disassembled and wiped clean periodically. No lube inside mags, just run a dry cloth tgrough it, check springs for rust and follower for rough ir damaged spots.
4. Barrel chamber throat and feed ramp. Look for burrs or carbon buildup
5. Recoil spring. A weak recoil spring won't store enough power to drive the slide forward with enough velocity to chamber rounds, especially when the gun is dirty. Springfield will tell you to replace the recoil spring at about 8,000 rounds but I am of the school that it should be replaced at 5,000 rounds or before.
6. Grip. Your grip needs to be firm enough that the recoil spring can fully compress. Usually this shows up as a double feed

If this doesn't clear it up call Springfield customer service. Good luck with it.
 
Replace the recoil spring (my son bought a 4 1/4 TRP classic and had an issue replaced the spring and it cured it.
And I would try Wilson or Chip McCormick mags while the Mecgar factory ones are ok and I trust them in other makes with 1911’s I generally only trust Wilson or McCormicks

And as mentioned obviously ammo. Is it an off brand conpany woth out of spec or dirty burning powder? Gun show special ammo and super low price etc
 
Greetings and Salutations!

OperatorOwnerCO88 said:
Hey All,

I’m here today because I’m a bit worried about my purchase of my SA 1911 Operator. I purchased the gun through guns.com and I have had a failure to feed issue since I bought it. I’ve run between 1500-1750 rds through the gun at this point. I am still having a failure to feed issue. I have cleaned the gun regularly in a deep clean fashion. It will shoot true and feed fine after a thorough clean, but after 2 mags. It will fail to feed every 3-4 rds. The gun is lubed enough from my POV. Just looking to see if anyone has an idea or thoughts. I appreciate the feedback back. View attachment 114343
Click to expand...

You have a fine firearm there. Welcome to the forum, glad you found us. I have a Garrison and a Ronin. I've changed recoil springs in both to get them to run smoother, a couple pounds heavier with the Ronin and a couple pounds lighter with the Garrison. Others have mentioned the "usual suspects", ammo, magazines, etc. I like Chip McCormick magazines and have quite a few for my 1911s. I get most of my .45ACP from freedommunitions.com. (It's a great deal when you can take advantage of their free shipping specials.)

Not to beat a dead horse, I just wanted to say "Hi". Let us know how your getting on. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
SimonRL said:
You could look at changing the recoil spring. I’m assuming you bought it used through Guns.com, so you probably don’t have a reliable account of how many rounds have been through it. I see it has a aftermarket trigger, so probably some work done on it. But even if it is new I would look at a lighter recoil spring. And of course I’d probably look at some Chip McCormick or Wilson Combat mags. If that doesn’t do it I’d seek out a gunsmith or call SA.
Click to expand...
It was sold as new, but I hear guns.com (after I bought it) has done some shady things? Not sure about that. I didn’t realize it was an aftermarket trigger, can you tell from the pic what it is?
Yes, I’ll look at the new mags for it, I’ve received that advice before. I’ll follow through now! And the lighter recoil spring I will definitely take into consideration as well. Thank you!
 
BassCliff said:
Greetings and Salutations!



You have a fine firearm there. Welcome to the forum, glad you found us. I have a Garrison and a Ronin. I've changed recoil springs in both to get them to run smoother, a couple pounds heavier with the Ronin and a couple pounds lighter with the Garrison. Others have mentioned the "usual suspects", ammo, magazines, etc. I like Chip McCormick magazines and have quite a few for my 1911s. I get most of my .45ACP from freedommunitions.com. (It's a great deal when you can take advantage of their free shipping specials.)

Not to beat a dead horse, I just wanted to say "Hi". Let us know how your getting on. I'm sure you'll get it sorted.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Click to expand...
Thanks BassCliff, looks like this was the place to come! I love this gun, just hoping to figure out the few kinks it has so I can have a more reliable tool!
 
ECS686 said:
Replace the recoil spring (my son bought a 4 1/4 TRP classic and had an issue replaced the spring and it cured it.
And I would try Wilson or Chip McCormick mags while the Mecgar factory ones are ok and I trust them in other makes with 1911’s I generally only trust Wilson or McCormicks

And as mentioned obviously ammo. Is it an off brand conpany woth out of spec or dirty burning powder? Gun show special ammo and super low price etc
Click to expand...
I have used HSL, Brass Kisses, Armscorp, all 230 gr FMJ
 
HayesGreener said:
Welcome. My usual suspects are
1. Ammo. Underpowered or out of spec ammo. There needs to be enough recoil to compress the recoil spring. If it won't run on PMC 230 grain ball, then go to 2. Also some ammo will shoots dirty and can foul the rails.
2. Maintenance. You said you thoroughly clean and lube. Are you using gun grease on the rails? Oil won't stay put and can dry out especially in hot weather. Dry rails, especially when dirty, will retard the slide so it will not fully compress the recoil spring and you will get failure to feed.
3. Magazine. What magazines are you using? Check for crud or dings in the follower. Dirt, carbon, and grit in the magazines can cause failures. Magazines need to be disassembled and wiped clean periodically. No lube inside mags, just run a dry cloth tgrough it, check springs for rust and follower for rough ir damaged spots.
4. Barrel chamber throat and feed ramp. Look for burrs or carbon buildup
5. Recoil spring. A weak recoil spring won't store enough power to drive the slide forward with enough velocity to chamber rounds, especially when the gun is dirty. Springfield will tell you to replace the recoil spring at about 8,000 rounds but I am of the school that it should be replaced at 5,000 rounds or before.
6. Grip. Your grip needs to be firm enough that the recoil spring can fully compress. Usually this shows up as a double feed

If this doesn't clear it up call Springfield customer service. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...
Can you recommend a grease that’s good? I use basic gun oil and One Shot
 
The only other thing I could recommend since that is a cerakote gun, hand rack the slide and dry fire a couple hundred times, you will smooth out the action especially in the rails, you will feel that gun slick up.

that's a sexy looking pistol and that version is a factory trigger
www.springfield-armory.com

1911 Operator® AOS .45 ACP Handgun - Tungsten Gray - Springfield Armory

www.springfield-armory.com www.springfield-armory.com
 
Since you've stated how many rounds thru the firearm so far it should be deburred and broken in with that amount? Just getting back into 1911's in 40 years I couldn't tell you much? What brands, types and weights have you used? My recent 1911/2011 experiences are with a sig-x 5" freedon 1911, alpha foxtrot Romulus 45acp and 10mm kimber ds warrior (last 2 are double stacks) as each 1 has less than 100 rounds each. I did have some ftf with the AF and kimber but not any icr with the sig. Not sure if your grip is more of a fte issue or can be a ftf also?
 
IF your car wont start and you keep tinkering with it but its still not reliable, tinkering more may not be the best option (just sayin). Id take it to a GOOD gunsmith who KNOWS 1911s, but thats just me

A lot of the advice above was good; but Im thinking if you havent tried some/all of those suggestions in 1500 rounds, then it really is time to find a good 1911 gunsmith Again thats just me and Im the guy that seeks a shop for an oil and lube job for my Jeep
 
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