Jack Spade Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Shot my first big wild bunch match yesterday and the pistol I brought performed less than stellar. Had hiccups all day. The gun I was using is not worth spending any more money on. I am looking for a 1911 that is slicked up and ready to run wild bunch. Let me know what you have. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Frank Norfleet Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 I'm not selling, but you might want to tell folks if you shoot Modern or Traditional. JFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 most of the time gun problems are ammo related. kR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUSTY BODDAMS Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 As K R says ammo problems are common and so are magazine problems. What kind of 1911 do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 There are plenty of people who can make your 1911 run unless it’s pure junk. While mags can surely be a problem, ammo and shooter contribute to a large portion of 1911 failures. What gun do you have? You want to shoot Traditional or Modern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elwood James Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 Here is an article from the blue press on 1911 magazines that might help you eliminate one possible problem. Good luckHow_to_Avoid_1911_.45_Mag_Lips_Spread_|_Welcome_To-2.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Spade Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Here is some more information. I shoot traditional. The pistol I was shooting yesterday was a "franken" gun that I picked up cheap. it is a put together parts gun, aluminum frame, SS slide, GI barrel, assorted parts and pieces from who knows what guns. The magazines are either new colt or new springfield 7 round mags. I tested the mags in two other 1911's and they worked perfect. The gun failed to go into battery several times, failed to eject twice, and on a one round reload it didn't feed the cartridge into the barrel and I had to dump the mag, reload the cartridge and try again. The ammo is loaded on my Dillon 650 and every round is checked in a chamber gauge. I think in the future I am going to load new brass for any big matches and use my used brass at local wild bunch events. I may drop in a new set of springs and see if that solves any of my problems but regardless, I am not spending the money on this one to go to a smith to make it run. It isn't worth it. The parts are worth what I paid for it so I am not out anything. So I am in the market for a 1911, either one ready to run from someone who doesn't shoot wild bunch anymore, someone's spare, or I would take recommendations on what new gun to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Jack, first of all that pistol is NOT legal at a sanctioned match. Aluminum frames are not allowed. My suggestion is not to waste another penny on the gun. Sell it !!! Make sure it isn't to a friend or they won't be anymore. Right now you can sell about anything for a good price. Go look for a Springfield mil spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 There isn’t a new gun, out of the box, ready to run. They’re usually all way over sprung and sights suck. The Remington R1 isn’t bad, nor is the Tisas. The Auto Ordnance is close. A couple Colts are close as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Spade Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 There isn’t a new gun, out of the box, ready to run. They’re usually all way over sprung and sights suck. The Remington R1 isn’t bad, nor is the Tisas. The Auto Ordnance is close. A couple Colts are close as well. I am just learning this game so open to suggestions. I want to stay in traditional category. I guess I will start off with what bullet weight and load do you recommend because I know that effects which springs you would also recommend. For this match I loaded up some 200 gr swc's at 800 fps average. I have heard that 230's loaded at lower velocity to meet power factor actually recoil less but I haven't had time to experiment with this yet. What mods do you recommend besides springs? What do you do to improve the sights? Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouchy Spike Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 230 gr Cast round nose bullets loaded with 4.0 - 4.1 gr WST will deliver about 160 PF, but should be checked in your pistol. That is a favorite load of many WB shooters. Trail Boss works too, feels like a bit less recoil at the same PF. In these days of limited powder availability, you may not have much choice so peruse the reloading manuals for a list of powders that will deliver at least the minimum PF of 150 with a bit of cushion (say 160) with 230 grain bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greased Lightnin Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 I am a traditional shooter. My bullets are 200 Gr SWC with 4.6 gr of Winchester Super Target powder. I use a 13 Lbs variable power spring from Wolf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VICIOUS Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Race ready; depends on the box :D I lucked into a pair of Smith Wesson, Doug Koeg factory customs. Lightened the main hammer spring and the recoil spring and runs great. ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baltimoreed11754 Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 I would blame your lightweight frame for a lot of your issues. You’ve really got to lock the auto down using one hand and a light gun is even harder to control which will cause cycling issues. I had one that cracked at the slide lock cutout, sold it to a bud for his .22 build. Get an older Auto Ordnance or a Rock Island. I shoot traditional too and initially used a heinz early Colt slide/essex frame that I had built but then added a beautiful nickel Rock Island sold by Cimarron and my latest was an old AO 1911. I put medium to long triggers on my 1911s and like flat recoil springs. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Spade Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 Thanks for all the replies, to update this thread I have bought an Auto Ordnance and sent the slide to Bogus Deal and had new sights put on it. Been working up a load using WST and 230 grain bullet. Have not been shooting lately because it is HOT in Florida but plan on starting back probably in September. Looking forward to using this new pistol in wild bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUSTY BODDAMS Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Glad to hear your getting the ducks in a row! WST great powder 4.0 grains with a 230 lead and you are ready for action! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokewagon Grampies Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 On 3/22/2021 at 5:41 PM, Grouchy Spike said: 230 gr Cast round nose bullets loaded with 4.0 - 4.1 gr WST will deliver about 160 PF, but should be checked in your pistol. That is a favorite load of many WB shooters. Trail Boss works too, feels like a bit less recoil at the same PF. In these days of limited powder availability, you may not have much choice so peruse the reloading manuals for a list of powders that will deliver at least the minimum PF of 150 with a bit of cushion (say 160) with 230 grain bullets. 4.0 to 4.1 wst? I think I'm over loading at 4 5 but if I ho lower will my POA vs POI ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 (edited) Dropping your powder from 4.5 to to 4.1 grains WST will not lower your impact by more than about 1/2 inch at 25 yards, and we rarely shoot that far. Yes, you are loading warmer than you have to for a 230 grain slug. (I have found 1911 guns are pretty variable in the velocity each one will give with a particular load. So, I never assume that a load someone else uses will give a legal velocity in my guns. ALWAYS check with a chronograph. Preferably on a cold day. Too many shooters get surprised at big matches.) good luck, GJ Edited February 23, 2023 by Garrison Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokewagon Grampies Posted October 7, 2023 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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