HD1959

I have a combat master Mk VI from the 80s Belleve, Washington gun,about 5,000 rounds through her,has always been 100 % reliable,untill now it seems to be short stroking,will not lock back when the mag goes empty,( it is not a mag problem)locks open fine by hand, sometime it feeds fine other times it hangs up on the feed ramp.I saw some galling on the recoil surface of the frame where the back of the barrel lower lugs contact,I addressed that,but she still will not run. I think the problem is with 3 spring recoil system,and the link.Any one ever put a Officers reciol system in this gun,or have any input on whats going on?Thanks for your input

retDAC

Is there a neoprene buffer in the recoil spring assembly?

danf_fl

5000 rounds on the same springs is pushing it a little for a short barreled 1911 clone. Get a hold of Wolf or or check these guys out: Integrated Systems Management Inc.

HD1959

Dave,
There is no buffer of any kind in the factory recoil system for the Combat Master.
Don

HD1959

Dan,
Ordered a Wolff single recoil spring that fits on the factory guide rod today.Did not see any thing on ISMI web sight that pertained to my gun.
Don

retDAC

Dan is right about the recoil spring(s) may need replacing. If rounds are catching on the feed ramp now, makes me wonder if they've been stubbing before but the recoil springs managed to force them on by.

Reason I asked about a neoprene? buffer is sometimes they start to crumble or screw up some other way due to wear/age.

Still can't imagine how weakened recoil springs would cause or allow short stroking. Wonder if anything is dragging (galled?) somehow.

Have you done a detailed strip and looked at every applicable surface under a magnifying glass?

HD1959

Dave,
There was some galling on the recoil surface in the frame I stoned that out but it did not fix the problem.Everything eles looks fine .The stock recoil system 3 springs on a gude rod rubbing on other is not ideal but it did work for a long time,back in the day it was state of the art.I still feel that under recoil something is not letting the gun go full stroke,that single spring from wolff should take care of any spring rubbing.There is a slot cut in the guide rod head,for the link to go into when the gun unlocks,this might be some of the problem,but it use to work. I'm going to check and make sure the hammer strut assy is not binding,and take a look at the main spring.
Don

retDAC

Looking forward to your results.

HD1959

I got my new spring this week, and I was able to get to the range to see how she ran,problem solved,ran 100%,just like it has run in the past 30 years or so.So the recoil system was used up after all the rounds down range and the single replacement spring from Wolff fixed my problems.I hope this helps someone who my run into the same thing.
Don

retDAC

Appreciate the followup. Makes me wonder if what you described as apparent short stroking was caused by weakened recoil springs allowing the slide to bounce back too soon due to lack of cushioning.