[Bluescot]

I have two 1911's from the same manufacturer. One is a very basic entry level lowest cost pistol in their selections, while the other is about a 6-7 on a scale of 0-10 for the price of their products. The lower cost one will shoot anything and everything in the selections of my reloads that I throw at it without a miss. The more expensive one is particular to the point of jamming if the case diameter is not exactly as needed. They both function perfectly with factory ammo.

My measurements of the barrel chambers show a difference of about .001-.002 with the most expensive being the tightest. My measurements do seem to vary a lot between these two diameters. I don't recall the expensive one claiming to have a match grade barrel when I bought it a few years ago. OAL of the rounds is not a factor but it seems like the sizing and crimping I'm doing is the problem. I would rather have my reloaded ammo inventory for a caliber function in all pistols of that caliber so would adjust to the tighter chamber for all rounds. I know this can impact accuracy, but these are pistols not match grade bench rifles and shooter error is a large component of accuracy. I do seat and crimp in two different operations.

Is it possible to "polish" the chamber with some JB Bore paste and effect a measurement in that .001 area. OR ...... Do I just need to pick up the quality of my reloading skills????

 

[FullClip]

Are you really, really sure of your measurements of the chamber? What are you using to measure the chamber?? Are the measurements repeatable??

 

[Jgraham56]

The higher end pieces usually tend to have a little tighter tolerances than the lower end. Maybe it just needs a few more rounds to smooth it out.

 

[FrankenGunBuilder]

Yep, not uncommon for match grade barrels. I typically polish the chambers so they feed everything. Seems to be more of an issue on 10mm's than anything else.

 

[Mountain10mm]

The chamber reamers actually wear as they are used. My guess the manufacture has a tolerance for this and they are replaced after a certain amount of wear. Given the slight and gradual wear on the reamers, the chambers, even from a the same manufacturer will vary slightly as this wear occurs.

Also worth noting is that a slightly larger diameter chamber is often used on defensive type handguns, Glock is notorious for this, as it allows for greater reliability, something that matters more in a defensive pistol, than tight 50 yard groups.

 

[FrankenGunBuilder]

The chamber reamers actually wear as they are used. My guess the manufacture has a tolerance for this and they are replaced after a certain amount of wear. Given the slight and gradual wear on the reamers, the chambers, even from a the same manufacturer will vary slightly as this wear occurs.

Also worth noting is that a slightly larger diameter chamber is often used on defensive type handguns, Glock is notorious for this, as it allows for greater reliability, something that matters more in a defensive pistol, than tight 50 yard groups.

Oh yeah, they do. That's why they work so well. They make the Glock like an AK, loose.

 

[JasonC8301]

Slightly off topic but I'll draw an anology with beef. I have seen choice beef with marbling rivaling prime beef. Its all on a scale, you may get high choice that can fall into the mid low to low grade prime scale.

I know Wilson Combat has different "cells" for their 1911s. Warranty work/entry level gunsmiths, more experienced and proven gunsmiths making their CQBs, and their absolute best making their supergrade pistols. I am not saying it isn't possible but you can have a CQB pistol that was made when everyone was at their best that day, while a supergrade built on a really off day can be less than that "perfect day" CQB.

If both pistols work fine with factory ammo but the "nicer" pistol has issues, check your reloading skills.

Federal Gold Medal Match .45ACP in either 230 gr FMJ or 185 gr SWC is what I test 1911s with (in 45 anyway.)

 

[Wayward Son]

I have two 1911's from the same manufacturer. One is a very basic entry level lowest cost pistol in their selections, while the other is about a 6-7 on a scale of 0-10 for the price of their products. The lower cost one will shoot anything and everything in the selections of my reloads that I throw at it without a miss. The more expensive one is particular to the point of jamming if the case diameter is not exactly as needed. They both function perfectly with factory ammo.

My measurements of the barrel chambers show a difference of about .001-.002 with the most expensive being the tightest. My measurements do seem to vary a lot between these two diameters. I don't recall the expensive one claiming to have a match grade barrel when I bought it a few years ago. OAL of the rounds is not a factor but it seems like the sizing and crimping I'm doing is the problem. I would rather have my reloaded ammo inventory for a caliber function in all pistols of that caliber so would adjust to the tighter chamber for all rounds. I know this can impact accuracy, but these are pistols not match grade bench rifles and shooter error is a large component of accuracy. I do seat and crimp in two different operations.

Is it possible to "polish" the chamber with some JB Bore paste and effect a measurement in that .001 area. OR ...... Do I just need to pick up the quality of my reloading skills????

Take it to a gunsmith and have them run a finish reamer in the chamber

 

[MNBud]

Use a Lee factory crimp die for your last reloading step and your rounds will all be the same size as the factory ammunition that you aren't having trouble with.

 

[Bluescot]

Use a Lee factory crimp die for your last reloading step and your rounds will all be the same size as the factory ammunition that you aren't having trouble with.

You are spot on sir, in the past I have used the FCD to correct errors in the reloading process for finickily chambers in some of my shooters.

Even after the round is completely reloaded and done it is possible to run them through that die to resolve any issue. You remove the top and the sleeve and then buy the plunger from Lee for the appropriate caliber usually found in their lead casting products. The plunger replaces the shell holder and now you have a hollow tube to push the rounds through one at a time and out the top.

Some will say that process will reduce the accuracy of the round but it the round doesn't load properly there is no boom and therefore no accuracy.

 

[ChrisD46]

I would love to have the SA Garrison 1911 in 5” and 4.25” and to have both 9mm & .45 cal for each .