[cmb0415]

I have invested in what I hope to be an high quality reliable carry piece. I just bought the Spingfield Loaded Micro-Compact 1911 (.45) (model#: PC9802LP). Its a beautiful piece of work and feels just perfect in my hand. I took it to the range today for the 1st time. Now I did my homework and expected this little bugger to possibly have some feed issues like other compact 1911's. I had 3 rounds jam up at the feed ramp out of the 1st 100. This was Rem UMC Ball ammo 230gr. I actually had no issues with 50 rounds of Hydrashock.

I want to believe that a gun of this quality (and price) should not have manufacturer issues out of the box. I also understand that its takes a stronger and more firm form to shoot these compacts effectively. Before I go messing with the gun, I'll assume I need to make adjustments in my form when shooting.

Can anyone give me some tips of how best to alter my form to suit this type of firearm? Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Feel free to get specific and technical I work well with that sort of stuff.

Thanks

 

[rwa3006]

Are you sure your technique is the culprit? What about the magazine feed lips? As long as your grip is firm and your thumbs not rubbing the slide during recoil it could be something mechanical. Are you using some kind of a Weaver or isoseles stance/hold, or is it some funky grip as seen on the movies? Keep both thumbs "aimed" at the target or parallel with the slide. The fact that you had luck with one type of ammo but not another hints to a mechanical problem. There's a lot of variables that need to be weeded out, so you might want to get an experienced guy to watch you shoot. I've seen weird things cause problems such as a guy letting the slide rub the side of an oddball pistol rest. Some things are hard to catch unless you're there in person. As far as technique goes, you should do fine by following what is taught in schools such as Gunsight, Thunder Ranch, etc. These boys have elevated the art of the 1911 to near perfection and you can get much of their instruction on DVD or tape.

 

[faucettb]

I spent lots of years behind a 1911 target shooting in the service and used a raquet ball as a grip exerciser for years. Having a good strong grip always seems to be a help with the 45's.

It sounds like rwa has given you some good advice. Good luck with that new Springfield Compact.

 

[cmb0415]

Thanks for the feedback. I am not sure what the issue is, but I will have someone check into my mags and also have some one watch my technique. I use what I have been taught to be best practice grip on a 1911. Not sure that's true, but i keep the dove tail tight in the crotch of my thumb and index finger. My right thumb rides to top of the left side saftey and my left hand closes up the gap on the left side with both thumbs pointing down range. I am a big guy, with big paws, I dont think I was hitting the slide (maybe) and I'd like to think I was not limp-wristing it, but as you said, I'll get someone to watch and help out.

 

[pisgah]

I have experienced 3 "micro" 1911s, two Springfields and a Kimber, and as much as I want to like them I have given up on the concept. Despite extensive firing, tinkering, magazine awaps, etc., I was never able to get consistent reliability out of any of them, although I got all of them to the point where they would jam only about once in 50 rounds of ball ammo, and this is not enough for me to stake my safety on. The 1911 is a great platform, but my feeling is that once you shrink it below Commander size all the relationships between magazine and barrel, spring weights, slide timing, etc., etc. become extremely critical. The beauty of a full-size 1911 is that little things don't faze it -- the weakness of a micro is that some of those same little things become big things. It's my feeling that if you want a reliable micro .45 you are better served with one of the more modern designs, intended as micros from the start, like the Taurus Millenium .45.

 

[Bigfoot]

I have the Ultra Compact 45. Just a little larger. Never had a stoppage, shoot handloads, 230gr FMJ and some Hollowpoints.

It does take a firm grip.

It is by far my favorite carry gun.

 

[ezhunter]

some excellent advice. i`ll add that my mil-spec. micro likes 180 grn. rather than 230grn. its worth a try. goodluck