Ruger 1911 first round feeding issue.

[1stfly]

I bought my first 1911 - a ruger - brand new a few weeks ago. I finally got to get out and fire it this weekend and the pistol wasn't feeding the first round of both the 7 and 8 round factory mags into the chamber completely. It appeared as if the round was more vertically pointed than it should be to chamber properly. If I then pulled the slide back slightly 1/4 - 1/2 inch the round would then fully chamber. After firing the first round in the mag no more issues with the remainder of the mag. Is this normal for new mags/gun?

I did strip and clean the pistol prior to firing. Ammo was Fiocchi 230 gr ball.

[Gun]

Were you slingshotting the slide, or using the slide release?

[1stfly]

Slingshotting, although I may have been riding the slide for a few hangups.

[Gun]

Try using the slide release, in a safe environment.

[*Klutch*]

Maybe try some different ammo. The OAL of the cartridge may be too long/short on the Fiocchi

[Manxdriver]

seconded. If you don't use the slide release, or don't like to, try this, grab the slide firmly and quickly push the pistol through your hand until you lose the grip on the slide. The slide will then slam forward, as it's supposed to, with all of the force it is designed to have. If you are pulling back and weakly letting go, yeah, feed stoppages will occur, ALWAYS!

[harold63]

If the mag is full and it is a new mag, remember that the cartridge has a lot of pressure on it between the feed (pickup) rail; the inside, top of the feed lips of the mag; and the next round in the mag. That's a lot of drag under the highest pressure from the mag spring. As those have said, it takes momentum to get that first round in. Let the slide go if you sling shot or use the slide stop to release the slide. No walking. If that doesn't work, try a different ammo. I've never seen a complaint with WWB in a Ruger 1911.

[Gunsnwater]

Lube it. New guns can be tight. Never judge a gun based on one brand or load. Rails need grease pins need oil.

[Hodgie]

1. Clean it
2. Lube all metal on metal contact points.
3. Hand cycle(no ammunition or mag) several hundred times.
4. Try new ammo
5. Try a different quality manufactures mag.

These are the 5 easiest steps to start with before getting into real repair or out of spec issues before everything else I would eliminate these possibilities.

Just me .02

[Yoder]

I shot a Glock for a long time then I got a 1911. One thing I didn't realize is they need lube. Clean and lube it, maybe polish the feed ramp if it has tool marks.