Ruger 1911 Commander .45 Problem

[Excaliber]

Of course.

I shipped it off today, but before I did I gave it another look because I figured with that many types of failures that all seemed to center around the extractor function, I must be missing something.

I did a visual comparison of the extractors in the open ejection ports of the LWC and a Springfield 1911. Lo and behold, the cut in the LWC extractor is very significantly wider than the one in the Springfield. A loaded cartridge is retained about equally well when slipped under the extractors in both, but the wider cut gives the rim some wiggle room that may be causing the under the high velocity of the slide when the gun is fired. I pointed this out in my note to Ruger, and provided them with photos of the malfunctions.

It'll be interesting to see what they come back with. If it doesn't come back fixed (which it should), I'll change out the extractor and see if my hunch is correct.

I'm really looking forward to getting this ironed out because I really like the titanium ramp insert that keeps wide mouthed hollow points from gouging the feed ramp, and the fact that the recoil system is as JB designed it and doesn't require any special tools to disassemble.

[Right2Carry]

Of course.

I shipped it off today, but before I did I gave it another look because I figured with that many types of failures that all seemed to center around the extractor function, I must be missing something.

I did a visual comparison of the extractors in the open ejection ports of the LWC and a Springfield 1911. Lo and behold, the cut in the LWC extractor is very significantly wider than the one in the Springfield. A loaded cartridge is retained about equally well when slipped under the extractors in both, but the wider cut gives the rim some wiggle room that may be causing the under the high velocity of the slide when the gun is fired. I pointed this out in my note to Ruger, and provided them with photos of the malfunctions.

It'll be interesting to see what they come back with. If it doesn't come back fixed (which it should), I'll change out the extractor and see if my hunch is correct.

I'm really looking forward to getting this ironed out because I really like the titanium ramp insert that keeps wide mouthed hollow points from gouging the feed ramp, and the fact that the recoil system is as JB designed it and doesn't require any special tools to disassemble.

Ruger has great customer service and will fix whatever is wrong.

[Excaliber]

I shipped it off today, but before I did I gave it another look because I figured with that many types of failures that all seemed to center around the extractor function, I must be missing something.

I did a visual comparison of the extractors in the open ejection ports of the LWC and a Springfield 1911. Lo and behold, the cut in the LWC extractor is very significantly wider than the one in the Springfield. A loaded cartridge is retained about equally well when slipped under the extractors in both, but the wider cut gives the rim some wiggle room that may be causing the under the high velocity of the slide when the gun is fired. I pointed this out in my note to Ruger, and provided them with photos of the malfunctions.

As I mentioned in my first post:

- Double feed

Double live rounds feeding, or is one a fired case? I'm suspecting you mean live, but I'd like to be sure.

Either way, based on the other symptoms the extractor is the primary culprit - it either has too little tension, is mis-shaped or is 'clocking'. Strip the slide and slip a live cartridge under the extractor to test - you know the drill.

You're right.

I didn't see the dimensional difference until I put the suspect one next to a known good one. When I first examined it, I looked for odd angles, burrs, incorrect tension, etc. The cut was cleanly done and I didn't think to measure or compare it. It functioned OK sometimes because the tension was right, but it allowed the next round to go off angle and not feed cleanly sometimes because it wasn't fully under control.

[Excaliber]

Well, hopefully Ruger has their act together and gets it fixed and back to you fast.

They promised 5 - 7 business days.

[camjr]

My CMD has been flawless with the Ruger mags, a couple different models of Wilson mags, and a Chip McCormick mag. I'm interested to see what's going on.

[Excaliber]

My gun came back from Ruger today.

They reported they changed out the extractor and fired 42 rounds of FMJ with no malfunctions.

I'll get it to the range this weekend and see if the fix was successful.

[Countryside]

My gun came back from Ruger today.

They reported they changed out the extractor and fired 42 rounds of FMJ with no malfunctions.

I'll get it to the range this weekend and see if the fix was successful.

They said it was the extractor on mine as well. Said they "repaired" the extractor (tension?) It did perform better, but I still took mine to my gunsmith anyway for some fine tuning. Just got mine back from him today. When the rain stops I'll try it again. (Not complaining about the rain, though.)

[Excaliber]

They reported they changed out the extractor and fired 42 rounds of FMJ with no malfunctions.

Holding thumbs that it goes well.

I'll find out later today.

[Excaliber]

They reported they changed out the extractor and fired 42 rounds of FMJ with no malfunctions.

Holding thumbs that it goes well.

I'll find out later today.

No luck.

I was feeling pretty optimistic after I fired about 40 rounds using magazines loaded with 5 each. When I went to full magazines, we went back to failures to feed and double feeds of live rounds - lots of them.

I don't know if the gun being hot or dirty has anything to do with it. Most of the failures happen in the last few rounds (less magazine spring pressure?) I'm pretty well stumped at this point.

I see another call to Ruger in my immediate future.

[Right2Carry]

They reported they changed out the extractor and fired 42 rounds of FMJ with no malfunctions.

Holding thumbs that it goes well.

I'll find out later today.

No luck.

I was feeling pretty optimistic after I fired about 40 rounds using magazines loaded with 5 each. When I went to full magazines, we went back to failures to feed and double feeds of live rounds - lots of them.

I don't know if the gun being hot or dirty has anything to do with it. Most of the failures happen in the last few rounds (less magazine spring pressure?) I'm pretty well stumped at this point.

I see another call to Ruger in my immediate future.

I wonder if they used your Magazines when they test fired it and whether they were fully loaded.

[DocV]

Excaliber, What type of follower are in those magazines?

To the OP - Bill. I realize this thread has drifted into Excaliber's issue but I am wondering about your pistol's status. Have you gotten in touch with Ruger or some local gun smith?