The answer is, "Sometimes."AJMD429 wrote:Might be better to start another thread if you respond, but I'd be interested in more details about that topic, and if any of those 'empty-case-feeders' were 1911's...7.62 Precision wrote:When using empty cartridge casings to cause jams in training courses, I know of several pistol models that will usually feed the empties every time. In order to cause a jam, the cases have to be loaded backwards or be smashed before loading.
Depends on the 1911 pistol; sometimes on the magazines. Lots of 1911s will jam on an empty case every time, some will feed them, and some will vary.
Keep in mind that the purpose for loading an empty case in a mag is to cause a jam 2 (chamber partially open) and it usually works with most pistols. So we are trying to get a jam 2, not trying to get it to feed, which causes a jam 1 (slide fully forward, click instead of bang).
I would never consider this a test of reliability for any pistol, because it is something that no pistol is designed to do. It is an example of how hard it can be to get some pistols to jam, though.
Because a lot of what I do requires me to provide info I have proven, not just what I remember or have been told, by impulse I just grabbed a Rock Island 1911 and tried it. With one mag, it would not feed empties, with another it will, more often than not.
With the 1911s, my experience is that the less expensive models usually run more reliably than the very expensive custom-type, on average. An example of this would be one pistol course in which three guys with lower to mid-price range Springfield Armory 1911s had no malfunctions that were not purposely induced, one guy with a Para 1911 had a couple problems, and one guy with a custom 1911 built by Wild West Guns at a cost of over $2,300, not counting the frame and slide that were provided by the owner, could not go through a magazine without at least one malfunction. Ever. Day three, we lent him another pistol.
If a pistol never feeds an empty case, but always feeds loaded ammo, I would consider it a reliable pistol. Failure to feed an empty case does not worry me in any way. For that matter, some pistols won't chamber most steel case ammo due to chamber specs, but if they always chamber quality ammo, I would consider them reliable with the ammo they are designed to use.
By the way, I'm pretty impressed with this Rock Island 1911. It is accurate, seems reliable, inexpensive, and seems well built. It isn't overly tight. There are a couple external dimensions that are a little different than most 1911s, but not enough to cause fitting issues with most holsters.
