1911 issue - help please

[jsc83]

Going thru my brass to start reloading and I noticed something weird on the empty cartridges. On half of the cases, the is a square ding on the side of the case about half way up. Looks like someone took a square punch and tagged the case. This was all factory ammo out of a 1911. Ammo was 230 gr ACP, a mix of american eagle, remington and UMC. I did have some stove pipes, but I'm sure it wasnt every other round. Can't figure out what is doing this and why so many rounds have the mark. Any idea what would cause this? Are these cases okay to reload with that ding in the case? Any advise would be appreciated.

[Jon1911]

What kind of 1911, what type of extractor, etc?

[jsc83]

The gun is an Auto Ordinance 1911 parkerized to look like USGI. I don't know what type of extractor is on the pistol. I'm not much of a tech guy on that type of stuff. Based on the fact that its a USGI look alike, I'd guess the extractor is of an early design. I do understand that AO's machining isn't the greatest.

[knight0334]

Its hitting the ejection port of the slide.

Can you get me a clear picture of your ejector and also the ejection port?

[jsc83]

Here are some photos of the various parts. I've included the ejection port, ejector, extractor and the dimple on the empty case. The back right corner of the ejection port is polished. It seems that the shell is hitting the corner there, but why?

[knight0334]

Hmmm. By chance, did you replace the recoil spring with a higher tension rate? Like say, a 16-21lb spring? Mine started doing that after replacing the 13/15lb spring with a 18lb.

I'm wondering if a slightly longer ejector will help.. If you have a 18lb or stronger recoil spring with the standard ejector(which you have), the slide is back further before it kicks the case, but is then soon starting its return to battery before the casing is clear and hitting the case with the rear of the ejection port.

Thats about all I can offer without physically inspecting it.

The ding in the case isn't really that bad though. Some dings are to be expected with brass polluters. They should fireform back into shape after reload and shooting, with I'm sure a newly formed ding.

[jsc83]

Knight, thanks for the input. The spring in the gun is whatever they put in at the factory. I may try to find a 13lb spring to see what that does.

[knight0334]

Hold up on the spring until some of the other guys check into this thread. No sense spending any money until you get a couple more opinions.

[knight0334]

I just thought of something.. Any chance of limpwristing? That will cause some funky ejection issues too.

[Lycanthrope]

If it ejects in a milspec type of gun......no big deal. Dents are fine. A 16lb spring is standard in a 5" 1911....but....that doesn't mean it will run best. This is assuming all things are in sync.

If it runs.....don't worry too much about the brass.

You can....go lighter on the recoil spring...hoping you don't batter the frame. You can adjust the angle of the ejector....and vary the ejection angle. You can grip the gun tighter and lessen friction through smoothing and lube......

If you aren't sure.......and the gun runs......don't worry about dings.

Lycanorhaveitworkedthrope