Colt government model magazine issue

[Guyinwarsaw]

One of the magazines that came with my Colt model 1991 is very difficult to load bullets into. Once I get about about 4 bullets into the magazine it's very hard to add more. If I do happen to get all 7 bullets in, the follower sticks. Turn the magazine upside down and the bullets just fall out. I took the magazine apart and couldn't see anything wrong but then I'm no gunsmith so I don't really know what to look for.
I took it to the shop where I bought the gun and they got the follower un-stuck but they didn't solve the problem. It still sticks when I load bullets into it.
Can any of you Colt experts tell me what I can do to solve this problem?

 

[IndyDave1776]

Mine have never offered to do this, but given that the follower is sticking, either the magazine body or the follower is most likely out of spec. I would consider the follower more likely. Disassemble the magazine and gently (or not so gently as may be needed) polish the sides of the follower. It may be something relatively obvious like a burr you can't see while assembled or it may just be a little fat for the space. One thing that is for certain is that this type of malfunction is caused by the contact of two surfaces which shouldn't be contacting that much. May also be a sharp edge that catches with a small bit of tilt one way or other but I would stick with out of spec width an/or burrs for my first guess.

 

[JetGirl]

Did that gun come with two mags or just one?
If "two", did the other have the same issue?
Colt makes great guns but their mags are kinda crap.
I wouldn't expend too much effort trying to alter one. I'd just replace it with something else.
Of the different ones I've tried, I'm happiest with Wilson Combat. If you just wanna keep a Colt mag in your Gov't Colt, I'll look around and see if I even kept any of mine. If I still have an 8rd one, you can have it.

 

[Guyinwarsaw]

The gun came with two mags. One works fine. The one I'm referring to does not. I also have a Chip McCormick Power Mag that works well. My thinking is if I have the mag it might as well work correctly.
Thanks for the reply and offer.

 

[Guyinwarsaw]

I will try what you suggested. Thanks for the reply.

 

[JetGirl]

Well, I hope you get it working for you.
Apparently, I've sent the remainder of my Colt mags to Texas. I didn't even keep one to go with the Colt, should I ever decide to part with it... which I probably won't...which is probably why I ditched the mags. Sometimes I wonder about myself.

 

[Guyinwarsaw]

Disassemble the magazine and gently (or not so gently as may be needed) polish the sides of the follower. It may be something relatively obvious like a burr you can't see while assembled or it may just be a little fat for the space.

I did as you suggested and the magazine works quite nicely now. Thanks !!!

 

[JetGirl]

Happy shootin'.