Need Help with my Para Arms .45

[Lobo41]

Ok so I have a Para Arms .45 that I bought in 2008 comming out of Iraq as a commemorative pice (has a custom paint job, and a lot of extras). Anyway when I was still in the ARMY I was buying reloads from an NCO and have put over 2000 rounds through it. Well awhile back I had a bad jam that I couldn't get cleared myself and took it to a shop that cleared it and gave it back. Thats the back story. Yesterday I took it out with some new Winchester ammo and as I was shooting several times the slide would hang up on the way forward just for a second or two and then would slide the rest of the way forward usually chambering the next round. On the first mag the last round hung up, I cleard it myself and that was the last jam I dealt with but with every 14 round mag the slide would hang up like that 3 or 4 times with both the new ammo and the reloads in 3 different mags. Now I've had this gun long enough that I'd like to think I know how to take care of it, so I'd like to know what you all think. Should I just send it back and have Para Arms look at it, take it to a local shop, do any of you have any ideas as to what could cause this? This is my first semi auto and I don't really know what to look for. I really love this gun and I can still shoot the center of a target out with it but the slide hang up is really bothering me. Anyway sorry to be long winded, so thank you to all who took the time to read it, and thank you for any help you can send my way.

[Lycanthrope]

So...the slide will hang, but you can bump it forward into battery?

Several possibilities, but the two most common would probably be a worn recoil spring and/or an extractor that is too tight or perhaps really dirty (making it too tight).

Did that shop tweak your extractor?

LycanIbettheydidthrope

On another note, if the slide jams up just short of battery, you can wrap the weak hand right over the slide by the rear site and then smack the strong hand (web between thumb and forefinger) into the back of the grip and they pop loose.

[Lobo41]

So...the slide will hang, but you can bump it forward into battery?

Several possibilities, but the two most common would probably be a worn recoil spring and/or an extractor that is too tight or perhaps really dirty (making it too tight).

Did that shop tweak your extractor?

LycanIbettheydidthrope

On another note, if the slide jams up just short of battery, you can wrap the weak hand right over the slide by the rear site and then smack the strong hand (web between thumb and forefinger) into the back of the grip and they pop loose.

I don't have to bump it into battery. It does it itself. After the slide moves back and ejects the spent round and starts to move forward again it seems to hang up for a second before it chambers the next round. Almost as if the round is whats its hanging up on. After pausing for a second its moves the rest of the way forward. The end result is the same the next round is ready to be fired (usually) but there is a definite pause and its jerky instead of smooth.

They didn't say they did anything to the extractor, but they took it into the back to use the vise so I didn't see what all was done.

I guess I'll look into a new recoil spring, it can't hurt and its a place to start. Thanks for the ideas.

[.45Kimber1911]

Two very important repairs that won't cost you much:

1. Adjust the extractor tension and clean out the debris that gets trapped in the tunnel.

2. Replace the recoil spring. If it has that many rounds through it and you have never replaced it, it is overdue.

Total repairs should be under $20.00 and you should see a huge difference in the way the gun performs after that.

[Lobo41]

Two very important repairs that won't cost you much:

1. Adjust the extractor tension and clean out the debris that gets trapped in the tunnel.

2. Replace the recoil spring. If it has that many rounds through it and you have never replaced it, it is overdue.

Total repairs should be under $20.00 and you should see a huge difference in the way the gun performs after that.

How do I adjust the extractor tension?

Ok! How often should the recoil spring be replaced?

Thank you

[Lycanthrope]

http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm

The extractor can slow the slide because after the round is run up the ramp/frame by the slide, the case rim is forced under the extractor. How much tension is on that can determine if the slide is slowed or even stalled.

I replace my recoil springs every couple thousand rounds in my non-competition guns.

Lycannothardtocheckthrope

[Lobo41]

http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm

The extractor can slow the slide because after the round is run up the ramp/frame by the slide, the case rim is forced under the extractor. How much tension is on that can determine if the slide is slowed or even stalled.

I replace my recoil springs every couple thousand rounds in my non-competition guns.

Lycannothardtocheckthrope

Looks like I need to study up. Thanks for the help. Ok, it is time for a new spring then, any suggestions on brands?

[Lycanthrope]

Depends on the barrel length.

For a 5" gun I recommend the Wolff 16lb spring. You could also buy an 18lb spring which could serve to overcome excess extractor tension, but that would only be my choice if the extractor needs to be tight to run.


LycanBrownellsthrope

[Lobo41]

Depends on the barrel length.

For a 5" gun I recommend the Wolff 16lb spring. You could also buy an 18lb spring which could serve to overcome excess extractor tension, but that would only be my choice if the extractor needs to be tight to run.


LycanBrownellsthrope

It is a 5". I need to find out what it came with originally as it ran fine for a really long time, which leads me to believe I don't need to jack the pressure up more than usual. Thanks for all your help, I tried to give you rep but I have to spread it around first.

[Lycanthrope]

16lb is pretty much the standard for the 5" 1911.....but springs are cheap....get one of each.

Lycanfearnotthrope