Gunsmithing 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

[Six Feet Under]

Hi all,
I am having a problem with my Colt 1911 80 series.. The ejected rounds are hitting me in the forehead alot- and yes I have a big head so there is alot of room for the shells to hit.. I even had one put a small cut on my forehead- for real. But they even hit my wife and she has a small head, haha. A friend of mine has a Kimber CDP II and it does the same thing. It seems to do it with about all the ammo I have tried. It's hard to shoot good when you are expecting to get hit in the forehead after you pull the trigger. I assume it is an extractor or spring problem?? Too light of spring maybe? Can you guys give me some advice on what to trouble shoot? Thanks

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

it's a POS 1911... what ya want for it?

 

[Clay_James]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

What's the ejector angle? Clocking extractor?

 

[allwheeldriven]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Six Feet Under</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi all,
.. The ejected rounds are hitting me in the forehead alot- and yes I have a big head so there is alot of room for the shells to hit.....</div></div>
HAHA.
Thanks for the laugh, good stuff.

Most likely it's the extractor or ejection port.
Burrs or dirt on the extractor or ejection port can cause this problem.


Another issue might be your grip.
If you aren't gripping a pistol tight enough it can slip upwards more than it should; sending the case hurling towards your face.
I had a friend get tagged in the head as the result of this.
It cut the guys forehead when it hit him so he bled while we all laughed at him.

 

[mscott]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

I'm think you'll find the ejector is the culprit. Here's a little info http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/ejection%20perfection.htm

 

[excess]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Have a 1911 that was doing that also. Rather than learning how to mess with the extractor I put in an Aftec extractor. Not the cheapest option at $75 but highly reliable.

 

[LRI]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Just wait till it hits you and wedges between your eyebrow and your safety glasses. Nutin like being sizzled to a nice Popeyes Chicken golden brown. . .

Cayjunz sprinkles to taste.

C.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

I think a 45acp brand might score some bonus points at the shoot.

 

[Graham]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mscott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm think you'll find the ejector is the culprit.</div></div>Agreed.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mscott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm think you'll find the ejector is the culprit.</div></div>Agreed. </div></div>

A sorta +1.

How long have you had this 1911? Did it always dump them back in your face?

Pull the extractor, clean the hole and extractor really well (look for wear on the claw), put it back together, try again. Still doing it? Then take a look the the ejector.

Standard rules apply: Always fix/replace the cheapest and easiest parts first.

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Force_Multiplier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it's a POS 1911... what ya want for it?</div></div>
Since you said it's a POS.... then 50 bucks lol

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Clay_James</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What's the ejector angle? Clocking extractor?</div></div>
I'm not sure on the angle... It's all stock.

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kenda</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mscott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm think you'll find the ejector is the culprit.</div></div>Agreed. </div></div>

A sorta +1.

How long have you had this 1911? Did it always dump them back in your face?

Pull the extractor, clean the hole and extractor really well (look for wear on the claw), put it back together, try again. Still doing it? Then take a look the the ejector.

Standard rules apply: Always fix/replace the cheapest and easiest parts first.</div></div>

I have had the gun for 2+ years. It seems to be getting worse but I have noticed that it has always done it. I am at 450- 500 round count through it. I will tear it apart and clean it good. As far as the extractor goes I don't see any real wear on it/defects... It sounds like I am not the only one who has had this problem before..

 

[former naval person]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Series 80...means it is getting some age on it. And so too on the springs. The recoil spring may be getting too much "set". Take it out and compare to a new one. If more than, say, 1/2 inch difference you may want to put a new one in. Not expensive...about $7 from Brownell's. The ammo makes a difference also. "Tuning" the spring is a matter of changing up and down in the recoil spring weight until you find a spring that dumps the cases about 5 or 6 feet away. Brownell's also sells a kit of different weight springs so that you can change them out one at a time with your ammo, till you find the right weight. All the other info, especially the Brazos article, is right on about the extractor and ejector. All in all, it is a SYSTEM that has to function together.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Six Feet Under</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It sounds like I am not the only one who has had this problem before.. </div></div>

You are not. The most common causes for this problem are as mentioned:

1. Limp wristing the pistol.
2. Improperly tuned extractor
3. Improperly tuned ejector
4. Too strong of a recoil spring.
5. Low powered ammuntion

You've ruled out #5, with a stock spring and 500 rounds through the pistol I'd rule out #4.

 

[HPLLC]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

You probably need a new ejector- the old style are cut back at 45 degrees- the newer ones are extended forward and more flat (not swept back).

I swapped an ejector in a buddies gun, as well as an extractor and it stopped doing that. The extractor wasn't necessary though.

OLD style (causes topside ejection)

NEW style (causes right side ejection)

 

[jasonZ]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Sell it and buy a Sig 1911!

 

[Ballistic Artist]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

LOL Your first problem is its a series 80 colt! My Kimber Custom 2 never hits me with spent brass. Im just kidding, Colt makes good guns. But seriously, Make sure your extractor is properly fitted with the firing pin stop. (make sure the ext. wont turn when the F.P. stop is installed) I dont know why but I have seen it happen when the extractor is allowed to rotate in the slide. Re-fit a new extractor and the problem goes away. Also if the ejection port isnt lowered and flared, the brass can hit you. (thats something John Browning forgot to do lol)

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Thanks for all the info. The Hide is alot of help. When I get home I will check it out .. I am not limp wristing the pistol. I will check the spring and ejector angle.. To me it seems like it is the ejector... But I will see. I love the gun- it is a shooter for sure.

 

[DHDeal]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

Since the problem has been addressed and I believe answered, one thing I have not noticed anyone else post is, have you tried ducking?

Sorry, couldn't help it. Ducking or waiting to get rapped on the knot has got to be a bitch with follow thru!

 

[cmh2007]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

if its two years old, check your springs and as said earlier your extractor tension.

 

[Night Hunter]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

#1 piece of advice. Quit shooting like a gangster

 

[henke4310]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Night Hunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">#1 piece of advice. Quit shooting like a gangster

</div></div>

+1 haha

 

[former naval person]

Re: 1911 ejected shells hitting me in the forehead!!

With all the spell checking and advice on English usage around here, I respectfully wish to note that the appellation is "gangsta".