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October 2, 2021
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Yes, i’m sorry to hear that as well. I have been very pleased with customer svc responsiveness, just disappointed that all communication seems to be via check boxes on a form. Still, we’re working thru it.
I have had nose dives upon occasion with all of my 9mm 1911s, except this one. I think there is a problem when JMB’s 45 caliber design is scaled down to 9mm. What has worked for me is always loading 1 round less than full mag capacity.
I am excited about Wednesday. Gun is clean and lubed and ready. I have a small laptop charged, along with a camera to take video if the problems resurface, and a tool kit assembled to quickly switch back in the DW sear spring and grips if I get a failure. My plan is to shoot (5) fast DTs before the match and then the 5 stages with a mix of controlled pairs (it is IDPA after all), and DTs. Should be a good variation of circumstances and about 100 rounds fired. Will let you all know how I make out.
October 2, 2021
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Good news, so far at least. All worked just fine.
Before today’s match I took a couple of 20 yard head shots to loosen up. Next, with 10 in the gun I fired DT, Triple Tap, DT, DT. Swapped in another 9 round mag and did DT, TT, TT. I was close to the berm. I fired as fast as I could with no concern as to accuracy. Flawless.
Next up, (5) IDPA stages. Anything close enough I fired DT. Concerned about accuracy but more concerned about function. Flawless.
Nothing to report, nothing to video, I’m delighted to say. I will leave the Springfield sear spring in the gun and campaign the heck out of it. If it does fail again, I’ll put the original DW part back in, video it and call in for service. But I am hopeful it will continue to perform as it did today, it’s a sweet gun and a lot of fun to shoot. For now, problem solved.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Glad to hear. Are you considering putting the DW spring back in for a practice session to see if it was a factory spring problem?
October 2, 2021
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Actually, no. Ostrich head in the sand here. But, my concern was, according to DW, nothing was done other than cleaning. If nothing was changed, then the bad behavior can be expected to repeat. I don’t want to play around waiting and even if it happens right away and I video tape it, my only option is to send it back again. I want to enjoy the gun and the best approach seemed to me to make a reasonable change based on recommendations from experienced 1911 folks. The SA spring is obviously different from the DW, and (so far) it’s working. As long as it does, I’m going to enjoy it. If it fails, then back to warranty efforts.
October 2, 2021
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Update, all is well. About 400 rounds fired since it was returned. 4 IDPA matches, with some quick tests before each one, and the gun has been flawless. This past week I took it all the way down to individual components. The sear was highly polished, hammer interface looked perfect and the top of the disconnector was perfectly smooth where there was previously some roughness. Either they did more than just clean the parts or they smoothed out as break in has progressed. I was a bit surprised to see the serial number all over the frame, inside the slide and even up inside the grip safety. I assume this is done to keep hand fitted parts together. Just a guess but the smoothness with which the internal pieces work together kind of indicates it. I’m not used to this level of quality, but I like it.
November 5, 2010
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Glad it worked out for you and your happy. A 45 acp full auto handgun is definetely a handful. Had the same thing happen to me with a para ordnance p12. Brand new, 2 rounds fired and recoil spring cap flew downrange in pieces. Range was in store and I knew the gunsmith personally, he gave me a new cap. 5 round down range it goes in pieces. Gunsmith checked gun out, put new cap on at no charge, went to fire it himself and got maybe 8 round downrange before it broke. Sent it back to factory from the store and month later it comes back with no explanation of what they did other than fixed it. Took two magazines fired before it breaks again. Had them hold it at store until I could write up everything and sent it back. Came back, one round and broken with gunsmith watching. I then navigated on the phone with para ordnance and got high up enough they had me send it to a different place for "special" care. It came back now 7 months since I bought it. Waited a few days to go pick it up and test it until the gunsmith was there. I fired the second round out of a full mag, and 11 rounds of full auto baby. Gunsmith put two rounds in a mag and fired, both rounds went off, he repeated that a couple more times. Para ordnance is in canada, and they have real tough laws about selling full auto weapons, I called corporate in canada bypassing US importer and gave them an earfull. They had me send it to a "specialist" and low and behold just a few days after I sent it I got an email at work from the specialist with his personal number. Called him up and he said they have idiots working for them at their U.S warranty centers, the gun was a lost cause and could not actually be repaired as they had done more damage than anything else at the warranty center. He had already talked to the company and aranged a new gun to be sent to him so he could make sure it was right and was instructed to cut the frame and slide of mine. He tuned the new gun better than any factory gun and shipped it to a dealer since it was a different serial number I had to do the paperwork again. Took me just over 8 months from purchase to having a functioning handgun and they did nothing to reimburse me in any way.
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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Glad it has be trouble free since it's trip back. But, I would like to know what DW really did to it. A disassembly/clean/reassembly isn't a usual repair for such a condition, unless the internals had some milling debris or such that was missed in the cleaning process???
October 2, 2021
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Yes, I’d like to know as well. Very responsive but basically no real information provided. Could have been debris, but it didn’t fail until 600 rounds. I had noticed the disconnector was a tad rough where it came through the frame and it was smooth when the gun got back, but perhaps the disconnector smoothed itself during breakin. Still, as long as it continues to perform so smoothly, I’m happy.
October 2, 2021
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Karl, ouch. I had a Para a few years back and had to send it back but nothing like what happened to you. Hope yours is all better now.
October 2, 2021
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I shoot IDPA 5 to 6 times a month. Shortly after getting my gun back from DW I was at a match and, after showing clear, I pressed the slide lock tab down to release the slide. The SO suggested that technique, with no round being chambered, could damage the gun. He believed that there is a different impact to the connecting parts than if you pull the slide to the rear and release it.
While I don't really understand how this would be, I did some research. Both Bill Wilson and the Brownell's myth buster team have videos on YouTube that touch on this. They both conclude that for a WW II era 1911, the tolerances are so generous that damage is unlikely. However, for modern finely tuned guns the sear / disconnector / hammer interfaces could be damaged. They both recommended against the slam closed approach. I have stayed with the more gentle pull the slide back and release method since getting the gun back. With over 600 additional rounds fired, and no failures, I don't know if it is the technique or the SA sear spring I put in, but either way - hoo ra!!
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
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I have never let the slide slam closed on an empty chamber for that reason. Thankfully I learned this early on with my 1911's.
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