Para Feed Problem

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   My son's Para 1911 doesn't feed SWCs or conical FMJs very well.  It seems to do better with my Wilson mags, but I don't think the several Para, Colt, and Kimber mags we tried are the real issue.  Hardball 230 FMJs feed much better from all mags.  Feed ramp problem? 

Edited by Muleskinner

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Para Feed Problem Posted: 08 July 2006 at 09:40
	My son's Para 1911 doesn't feed SWCs or conical FMJs very well. It seems to do better with my Wilson mags, but I don't think the several Para, Colt, and Kimber mags we tried are the real issue. Hardball 230 FMJs feed much better from all mags. Feed ramp problem? Edited by Muleskinner
	Mule

CB900F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Honor, Integrity Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Eritrea Status: Offline Points: 8857	Post Options Post Reply Quote CB900F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 July 2006 at 17:19
	Mule; Or feed ramp angle. Or that feed ramp angle coupled with the delivery angle of the mags. 900F
	Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

waksupi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Keeper of the Old Traditions Joined: 11 June 2003 Status: Offline Points: 2371	Post Options Post Reply Quote waksupi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 July 2006 at 03:47
	I'd polish the feed ramp, and tweak the magazine lips. My 1911's will eat anything, but I must keep the right magazines, with the right pistols.
	Shooters Cast Bullet Alumnus http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php?

Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 July 2006 at 11:17
	Here's the lowdown from Para Ordinance: All Para pistols come with a match chamber. They are not designed to shoot conicals and SWCs. They are designed to shoot ball-type ammo. Para pistols can be altered by reaming the chamber and by making other modifications so non-ball ammo can be shot.
	Mule

Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 October 2006 at 01:37
	Para is full of sh!t. Ball ammo didn't feed well either. Turns out, many Para 1911s have feed problems and end up going back to the factory for adjustments. I made a simple adjustment, I bought a Kimber and traded my son for his Para. Then, I took the offending pistol to the gun show and traded it in on a new Kimber Eclipse Ultra II I've had my eye on. American made and outta the box reliability. Sometimes, the simple "adjustments" are the best. Edited by Muleskinner
	Mule

saddlesore Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 16 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1345	Post Options Post Reply Quote saddlesore Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 October 2006 at 02:35
	I have heard about feeding problems with just about any 1911 based handgun on the market. Sooner or later, you will encounter a bullet the semi doesn't like. The solution around here is to have smith work it over for about $75 We have one young fellow that is really coming around. You take him all the bullets you will be using and when it comes back , the handgunwill digest them all. Some say he can make a 1911 feed empty cases
	Saddlesore If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 October 2006 at 02:45
	Magazine feed lips are really important. Also the weakest link on semi-autos...all makes. The clip is more than an ammo carrier; a nice wool lined case might be appropiate for the clip. I've seem guys let them fall onto the ground and also toss them into a range box. problems. BEAR

CB900F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Honor, Integrity Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Eritrea Status: Offline Points: 8857	Post Options Post Reply Quote CB900F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 October 2006 at 04:17
	Fella's; My early Kimber will feed empties, with no visit to the gun doctor either. If you ever get a chance to obtain an early Kimber Classic with the Videki Speed Trigger, DO IT! 900F
	Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kingpin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 October 2006 at 14:00
	Most, I repeat, MOST 1911 style pistols will feed ball ammo flawlessly. SWC's and hollow points are a different matter. Most 1911's will have to be tuned to feed that type ammo. Normally, a slight angle change on the feed ramp will cure the ills, that coupled with polishing and a slight angle at the top of the hood on the barrel. Normally, a feed ramp polish is all that's needed. It's not hard to do with a dremel and a cratex wheel, but do NOT remove too much metal, as it will sure as hell compound your problems and turn it into a paper weight. A lot of Para's have ramped barrels, why? I don't know, but I for one don't like that style as a lot of polishing mistakes can be made. Another thing to look for is the cuts on the barrel lugs where the link is attached. This will cause sluggish action with the slide because if the link is binding, it will try to tear the link out or break the pin through the link. I have a P-14 Para that I built from scratch. I tuned it for all the ammo I intend to shoot out of it. I also have a Colt single stack (along with a few Springfields) that I had to put a BUNCH of work into. It's as smooth operating as anything I have seen, but that was after about 6 hours of work. Prior to the work, it didn't run worth a shit in mexican money, and I trust my life with it. I wish I could have looked at your Para from the get go, I am betting that I could have made it run like a scalded dog, but, when an owner is having problems with any type of pistol, his confidence in that particular gun is shot, and no amount of work on it will restore that lost confidence. It will forever more be known to him as a "dead mans gun."...........Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 November 2006 at 12:39
	Finding a good gunsmith around here is like pulling teeth from a turnip. Then, finding one that can get your job done in a week or two...well, I don't think there are any. Like I said, I'm very happy and so is my boy. He can shoot the ten ring out of a target with his Kimber. My Eclipse Ultra is equally accurate and not picky about ammo. I fed them both conicals, SWCs, LRNs, and Combat Target TMJs without any real feed problems (I did have some partial chamberings after the crud built up; nothing a heavier taper crimp won't resolve). I actually thought of using my dremel on the feed ramp, but only for a moment before I learned of the gun show coming to the center within a mile of my home. Let somebody else pay for a gunsmith's kid's education, and you're absolutely right about the confidence thing. I want to know that pistol in my boy's hand is gonna take the heart out of an intruder just like that ten ring. I never imagined that home invasions were at the level they seem to be back here in the world.
	Mule

crazy2medic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 22 November 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 722	Post Options Post Reply Quote crazy2medic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 December 2006 at 13:27
	I've carried para p-14 for more than ten years now, I polished the feed ramp with a dremel and some jewels rouge until it was smooth as glass! my para will feed empties! my carry ammo is the 230gr hydra shoks, I've never had a malfunction after the intial ramp polishing! the grand total of changes were ambi safety, tritium nite sites, hogue grips other than that it's a stock pistol!

Muleskinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Crotchety ol’ Geezer Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5285	Post Options Post Reply Quote Muleskinner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 December 2006 at 12:06
	KP, I've noticed some wear on the link of one of my pistols (can't remember which one, but I think its the Colt). Any way to resolve this before it causes a problem?
	Mule