Question about first round feeding

[darkwaterkid]

Hi all.

I bought an R9S Stealth recently, and so far I've run about 300 rounds through it.  Ammo has been about 50 defensive rounds (115gr Speer GDHP), with the remainder being mainly a mix of Speer Lawman and Federal A.E. FMJ target ammo.

I'm noticing that the leading edge of the hollow points get a little hung up on the feed ramp, but only when they're the first round from a full magazine.  I've seen this in two contexts: when simply chambering a round by pulling the slide back by hand, and when pulling the trigger the first time after loading it 6+1.  The former happens all the time, with three different magazines.  The latter has only happened once.  Only the defensive ammo seems to have the issue; the conical and round noses of the target ammo glide right in.

I wondered if this could be tied to the recoil spring.  I let the original go about 250rds, and at the end of its life was when the issue seemed the worst.  Then, when I would try chambering a round, the slide would stay back until I tapped the side of it against the heel of my left hand.  After I changed the spring, the slide would go forward without any help but would hang up momentarily when the bullet reached the feed ramp.  However, the failure while firing the weapon came immediately _after_ the spring change.

I've cleaned the gun after each range session, and lube it pretty thoroughally with Gun Butter oil.  The action itself seems to be operating quite smoothly overall.

Any suggestions for improving feeding reliability for the first round?

This has really been a great little gun!  I shoot it well (love the trigger), and it conceals so easily I've started carrying far more consistently.  Anyway, as I rely on it more, I just want to do all I can to make it as reliable as possible.

Thanks...

[kjtrains]

Welcome to the Forum.  Wish I could help.  I haven't experienced any of the problems you're having.  I only use the Winchester Silvertips.  I do have 115 gr. Gold Dots, but will only use them if I can't get the Silvertips.  

Be sure you have the recoil spring turned the right way.  The newer ones may not matter, older ones do.

[sslater]

darkwaterdkid,
+1 on that welcome to the forum.  Lots of good people (and information!) to be found here.

My R9s is an early one  - one of the first 1,000 built, and I have put a couple thousand rounds thru it.  In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you it had to go back to Rohrbaugh for replacement of the slide at about 1,200 rounds due to a crack in the original slide.  Otherwise, it has been trouble-free once I upgraded to the current generation magazine and recoil springs.

I have had the occasional first round nosedive into the feed ramp, but only on initial loading after cleaning and lube.  In every case, I've found it was "operator error" due to my greasy fingers not permitting me to rack the slide vigorously.  My solution has been to make sure my hands are degreased before chambering that first round.  And the first time I rack the slide after installing a fresh recoil spring, I really have to give it the old 'gorilla grip".

I use Speer GDHP 115 and 124 gr. for carry, and mostly Winchester White Box for practice.  I've also fired enough Winchester Silver Tip rounds thru my R9s to feel confident in carrying them.  These days, I buy a box or two of premium ammo whenever I can find it.....

Steve
    

[ACP]

Welcome to forum darkwater. As you can see from my postings, FTF/stovepipes are a valid concern that I have expressed and I don't have an answer that is better than those expressed above.

I have taken the pledge and intend to use Winchester Silvertip ONLY on my new Stealth; anticipated this week.

The design, workmanship, fantastic DA trigger, concealability; all of these facts accrue to a desire to have an R9 for which elimination of stovepipes is germane.

My guess (and that is all it is) is that there may be slight variance in R9s, such that some are not problematic at all. The R9 is NOT a target gun and I intend to carry much and shoot little as recommended by the factory.

However, elimination of stovepipes is vital for me and any right thinking person who will carry concealed.

[DTM_39]

darkwaterkid,  Welcome to the forum.  When racking the slide to load the first round.  Make sure you pull it all the way back and slingshot it.  Don"t baby it.  They should load no problem.  Dan

[Richard S]

darkwaterkid:

First . . . welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on selecting the R9!

Second . . . what Dan just said. Also, I make it a practice to tap a loaded magazine against the heel of my left hand and then check the top round to make sure it is fully seated before inserting the mag into the pistol.  

[kjtrains]

Great info!!    

[darkwaterkid]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the welcome and the info.  

I've tried a somewhat more vigorus "slingshot" to chamber the first round, and it did seem to make a difference -- it didn't go every time, but more often than what I was seeing previously.  I think I may have been letting my left hand ride the slide as it closed, rather than letting go.  Perhaps that was slowing it down a little.

Richard: When you tap the magazine, are you tapping against the baseplate?

Regarding stovepipes... I had a couple early on, and just attributed it to not having a firm enough grip.  So far for me, at least, they don't appear to be a frequent issue.

I'll be back at the range this weekend, and will apply your advice and put the R9 through its paces again.

Thanks again...

[Richard S]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the welcome and the info.  

* * *

Richard: When you tap the magazine, are you tapping against the baseplate?

* * *

Not against the baseplate -- against the back of the magazine. It's just an old habit I picked up in my Army days to make sure that everything was "squared away and in proper line."

On another related point which probably doesn't require mentioning in this learned company, it is especially important to use care when loading a magazine with .32 ACP hollowpoint ammunition to avoid the possibility of rimlock and a resulting failure to feed.

[ACP]

Thank you for comment about tapping the back of the magazine. I used to do that instinctually with an M16. Anything that will help avoid stovepipes.