Springfield Ultra Compact .45 report

[RiverRat]

I just got back from the range for the first time with a new loaded Ultra Compact .45.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=5

I loved the looks, the fit, night sights, not sure how much I like the ambidexturous safety...sort sticks out too much in my IWB holster both sides. Bites my side a little (holster doesn't cover it). I am considering knocking some of the sharp off of them......they need smoothing.

I put ~200 rounds through it with three FTF's. I used FMJ Blaser brass, WWB, Remington UMC, and one other type....all 230g. Two could have been related to my son using my Colt New Agent mags in it (or him limpwristing). I did have one stovepipe with WWB hp's (#3) using the real Springer mag.

It shoots good. Accuracy is good. 3" groups free hand at 15 yards no problem. I do not claim to be a very good shot, didn't try shooting from a rest. The recoil was very controllable, about like a small frame snubby .38 or my XD40sc. I was expecting more barrel flip.

I am aware you should put several hundred rounds through it before judging it trustworthy for carry......I don't trust it yet, that said, I don't have any qualms about the purchase or the pistol.

[Bunkins]

My dad has one.. I like the gun a lot, but could use a little work in some area's..


He's had his for yrs, but never shot it. I bet it hasn't had 300 rounds put through it.. I started shooting it when I went to the range, and had many FTL's. When shooting at the house, I bet it was every mag you'd have 1 FTL..

My Kimber was doing this as well, I sure didn't trust it, still don't fully trust it yet.. I started using gun grease on the slide and I've had no problems since.. I tried it on his Ultra compact and fired 3 mags through it without any problems.. So you might give it a try if it keeps doing it.. I wont say thats a cure all or anything like that, but it worked great for those 2. Both of these guns dont have many rounds through it, could be a "break in" deal, even if thats the case it's hard to rely on something that fails from the get go. What I was seeing was the slide after so many rounds wouldnt slide smoothly, real rough from the oil trapping powder and other trash, the grease kinda makes a "seal" keeping the trash from getting into the moving parts. Feel the slide on yours before you shoot, then feel it after. Strip it and pay attention to all the black gunk. With the grease, I've noticed very little of that in the moving parts..

[HighVelocity]

Did you take note of which ammo was being fired when you had the failures? I'll guess and say it was the Blazer Brass. That ammo is not crimped worth a flip. A buddy of mine bought several thousand rounds of it and I ran it through my crimping die one round at a time so he could shoot it. Otherwise it was malfunction city.

[Excaliber]

My dad has one.. I like the gun a lot, but could use a little work in some area's..


He's had his for yrs, but never shot it. I bet it hasn't had 300 rounds put through it.. I started shooting it when I went to the range, and had many FTL's. When shooting at the house, I bet it was every mag you'd have 1 FTL..

My Kimber was doing this as well, I sure didn't trust it, still don't fully trust it yet.. I started using gun grease on the slide and I've had no problems since.. I tried it on his Ultra compact and fired 3 mags through it without any problems.. So you might give it a try if it keeps doing it.. I wont say thats a cure all or anything like that, but it worked great for those 2. Both of these guns dont have many rounds through it, could be a "break in" deal, even if thats the case it's hard to rely on something that fails from the get go. What I was seeing was the slide after so many rounds wouldnt slide smoothly, real rough from the oil trapping powder and other trash, the grease kinda makes a "seal" keeping the trash from getting into the moving parts. Feel the slide on yours before you shoot, then feel it after. Strip it and pay attention to all the black gunk. With the grease, I've noticed very little of that in the moving parts..

From the situation you describe, part of the problem might be inadequate cleaning of the rails and rail cuts in the frame and slide. If the long rail cuts in the slide aren't cleaned well, it's certainly possible to build up enough residue there to affect the action. I use a pair of bent tweezers to force a wet patch into every corner of these cuts to make sure they're properly cleaned. If they are, a light oil like Brownell's friction Defense should provide adequate lubrication, although there's nothing wrong with using a good gun grease either.

[RiverRat]

Thanks for the suggestions. I only had one box of Blazer Brass.....trying to burn it and get it out of the ammo pile and break in pistol. I have had good luck with the WWB from Wallyworld and the Rem UMC from Academy for plinking/breakin...agree...much better than the Blazer.

Will clean it today and see what I see. I had pre disassembled and lubed with Hoppe's gun oil before the range trip. I had already read some reviews talking about slide/jam issues on the ultras because of the double spring. I did take gun oil and sprayed slide every 50 rounds (after failure), expecting issues (had read on other forums) with the new parts on the all metal frame. Honestly, I have 3 Springers (different Champions, bought new), and have never ever had a problem of any kind.

a light oil like Brownell's friction Defense should provide adequate lubrication, although there's nothing wrong with using a good gun grease either.

I was considering a graphite grease for the slide? Has anyone used a heavier grease on the slide? I know its messy. I have used it on some of my full sized metal framed 1911's with no consequence......except its a messy black grease that gets on everything it touches.

What I didn't mention was we were shooting a new Colt New Agent (aluminum frame, same size) with no failures......same ammo.

My son was the one that was using the Colt mags on two of the jams....which I presumed interchangable.....obviously not. The last stovepipe was with Win.HP after 200 rounds.

I'll go back to the range later this week and be more prepared to document.....need to recover from the 400 $round$ of .45 we shot yesterday. Break in is expensive.......more later. I sure like the size for carry.

[MechAg94]

A good brass brush can help get into the rails as well.

I had an Ultracompact a while back. It was a good gun, but did need to be kept clean. Most 1911's I have handled were that way.