[Ron350]

I have a recently purchased Kimber 1911 full size, aluminum frame, 9mm pistol. Have been shooting Wolf 215 grain round head loads and my handloads. Initially, the handloads were done with 215 grain jacketed round head bullets and 4.5 grains of P-38 powder. Both cartridges performed well with no failures.

Being unable to find any more P-38, I bought a pound of Universal and loaded 4.5 grains universal with the 215 grain bullets which was a disaster. Most of the rounds would not eject and would cause jams. An empty magazine would not cause the slide to remain open.

Made another batch with powder raised to4.8 grains which is halfway between Hodgon's beginning 4.5 and the maximum of 5.0 grains. this stopped the jams caused by ejection failures, but empty cases were flying straight up and landing on my head.

Then I replaced the factory recoil spring with one of ten pounds. Now, pistol seems to run okay, but empties are landing behind me. In all Universal loads, the fired cases are quite blackened and pistol gets pretty dirty.

I might add something about the 215 grain bullets i am using. The base isn't flat but is concave. I think this would enlarge the amount of empty space in the loaded cartridge causing problems with powder ignition.

I would be thankful for any input to solve the problem.


Edit - Of course the bullets were 115 not 215 grains. Sorry about that..

 

[noylj]

Blacken cases mean pressure is too low to expand case to seal chamber.
Concave bullet base is corrected by the longer bearing surface, keeping case capacity the same.
Round nose bullets.
HP-38 powder.
Never buy a powder or bullet unless you have data.
Starting loads in different manuals range from 4.0-4.5gn Universal and 115gn jacketed bullet and MAX loads range from 4.5-5.4gn Universal.
Do the Wolf loads function with the original spring? If so, then everything indicates that you need to work up the load further.
Also, new guns often need a few hundred rounds for "break-in."

 

[ceapea]

Try 5.0 gr universal. Both that and 4.7 gr HP-38 work great for me with 115 gr fmj (1.120”-1.125”) and jhp (1.082”) bullets. That 5.0 of Universal will keep those cases away from your head.
But my best load for my 9mm 1911 is 5.2 gr unique, which is real close in performance to 5.0 of universal.

 

[Ron350]

I did do a few reloads with 50 grains of Universal, which is Hodgon's maximum load, but couldn't get to the range until today. Results were better than they were before. Fired cases were cleaner and were deposited about four feet to my right. Gun is somewhat cleaner too. I had hoped to make lighter loads, but I guess not. I wonder what would be the case had I not replaced the 12 pound recoil spring with the 10 pound spring. Anyway, thanks to both you guys for your responses.

 

[noylj]

50 grains? Really?
If you want light, clean loads, use a faster powder.

 

[ceapea]

50 grains? Really?
If you want light, clean loads, use a faster powder.

Well, since OP is back to talk about it, we all know he didn’t mean 50 grains.