I’m having an issue when clearing a live round from the chamber. The cartridge is extracted without difficulty but it is not propelled out of the ejection port. It simply falls out of the mag well. This is a recent issue.

I use this gun fairly often and it runs fine. Since I’ve only been using the gun at matches, I haven’t been able to observe the ejection pattern and I keep forgetting to ask a friend to watch it as I shoot. However, the guys at the events are fairly observant and no one has mentioned anything.

It doesn’t matter how much force/speed I use to bring the slide back. The round falls out of the mag well.

I couldn’t fill a thimble with my gunsmith knowledge but here’s what I’ve observed. The ejector looks fine to me. My first thought was that it had broken but it doesn’t appear damaged. I'm thinking that maybe the extractor has extended slightly, if that makes any sense. With the slide removed, I slipped a round under the extractor and it does not sit flush with the breech face.

What do you think is causing the issue?

Ejector broken

Perhaps the extractor spring is broken or missing. The ejector has nothing to do with your problem from what you describe.

You spoke of shooting at matches. So my guess is you shoot a large amount of ammo in your gun.

Make sure the extractor is cleaned of any fouling build up. The claw has a small amount of contact with the cases for extraction so any build up may be enough to cause failures.

If you can remove the extractor and give it a good scrub. Also when the extractor is out clean the area around it.

Also make sure the chamber is clean of any carbon build up. This will cause the extractor a harder time doing its job.

The ejector looks fine to me.



The extractor has tension on it and I haven't had any failures while firing.

I do fire a lot of rounds through the gun but I clean it after every match. I recently had the breech block out to replace a roll pin and I cleaned the unit while out (the problem was happening before the removal and repair).

Thanks and keep'em coming please.

quote:

Originally posted by 808:
Also make sure the chamber is clean of any carbon build up. This will cause the extractor a harder time doing its job.

It appears clean but I'll give the chamber a good scrubbing anyway.

How old could your recoil spring be? About 5 years or 5000 rounds?

When holding the pistol safely point up .(unloaded) Lightly pull on the slide back about 1/2 to inch pulling it out of battery. Then let go of the slide and see if the recoil spring is able to pull itself back closed? Or does it stop a small amount before closing completely back into battery.

Maybe a recoil spring slowing the overall timing/function of the firearm.

Given the details you describe, I’ll second the notion that your extractor has been affected.

-Gunk/build-up under the claw
-Gunk/build-up under the “arm” inside the breech block
-Chipped claw
-Stretching of the claw, perhaps opening of the claw angle

quote:

Originally posted by 808:
How old could your recoil spring be? About 5 years or 5000 rounds?

The recoil spring has recently been replaced.

quote:

Originally posted by brywards:
Given the details you describe, I’ll second the notion that your extractor has been affected.

-Gunk/build-up under the claw
-Gunk/build-up under the “arm” inside the breech block
-Chipped claw
-Stretching of the claw, perhaps opening of the claw angle

I’m thinking this is an extractor issue as well. I’ll see if I can track down a replacement.

If you’re talking about only happening when clearing live rounds, don’t worry about it. Things are completely different under live fire and a magazine inserted.

ETA: just noticed you said breech block. If you planned ahead, try replacing the extractor. If not, you might want to consider not competing with it anymore. It’s really hard finding parts for the folded slides these days. You can try to rebend a little, but I don’t recommend it.

Please keep us updated. I would think chipped or worn extractor at first.

And there is the old rule when it comes to function issues: Dirt...Ammo...Parts.

quote:

With the slide removed, I slipped a round under the extractor and it does not sit flush with the breech face.

That does not sound right. Will the extractor hold a loaded round with the slide removed? Do you have any 1911 tools to check extractor tension in OZ?