Two Les Baers do not shoot light loads

Has anyone else experienced this with their LBC 1911s? Both of them won’t shoot 185gr Zero with n310 <4.2, WST <4.2, or BE <4.0. None of those loads under those measurements do not cycle properly. I'm using 11-14 lb recoil springs.

I had a Les Baer many years ago that was their Frame Mount Wadcutter gun.  It was really tight to open but it cycled 3.6 BE with a 185 Gr Star bullet just fine.  At a later time in life I was shooting my Rock River Hardball gun for everything and was able to use that same 3.6 load even though it had heavy springs.  I was told that this was likely because I have a really hard hold which I do.  To experiment, maybe you could try that with your gun to see if you are able to get it to cycle.  If it works you would then need to decide if you want to change your hold or just shoot the heavier powder charges.
  Another experiment you could try is to increase the crimp on your lighter loads and see if that builds enough pressure to function.  If that works, there is another option for you.

Good luck.
John

New gun?

A weak or light/soft grip will wreak havoc with the function of a 45 1911 with any load you shoot. Keeping your arm and hand strength at it's peak is optimum for consistent 45 1911 cycling and accuracy.
I can no longer grip my 1911 with my whole hand due to ligament damage to my little finger so I have to use a 3-finger grip on my 45 when shoot with slab side grip panels and my shooting has gone south since the injury.
I have just started shooting with euro style grips on the 1911 and that has helped so maybe it could help you also.

I have two LB's in 45 I shoot with light loads, but 12# recoil springs. I did
what Baer said which was to shoot 500 rds of hardball when I first got the
pistols.  They have been further modified with roll triggers and some sight
changes to accommodate  rail and dot sights. the loads you have are similar to what I shoot.

L. Boscoe wrote:I have two LB's in 45 I shoot with light loads, but 12# recoil springs. I did
what Baer said which was to shoot 500 rds of hardball when I first got the
pistols.  They have been further modified with roll triggers and some sight
changes to accommodate  rail and dot sights. the loads you have are similar to what I shoot.

I've had the exact same experience as L. Boscoe. Did the 500 rd with hardball "break-in" thing before starting to play with light lead target loads. Gun runs 100% with a 12 lb spring

Zero 185 SWHP (#186) over 3.8 gr. WST runs absolutely reliably in my Les Baer with frame mount dot and 12# recoil spring.  I acquired the gun lightly used so cannot speak to the break-in regimen that was followed.

DK wrote:Zero 185 SWHP (#186) over 3.8 gr. WST runs absolutely reliably in my Les Baer with frame mount dot and 12# recoil spring.  I acquired the gun lightly used so cannot speak to the break-in regimen that was followed.

Thanks, ill give this a try.

Both LBC are worn in enough, one of them is 15 years old.

Frame mount makes a world of difference.

I havent changed the main springs in either pistol, so im assuming they are stock. I've tried 11-14 lb recoil springs in each with no positive results. Could this be due to not changing the main springs? Thanks

Orion,
I’m not a gunsmith but for the benefit of those who are and may be able to offer some help, a few follow up questions come to mind:

Has either gun ever been able to function with light loads or is this a new pursuit?

What is the exact nature of the cycling issue, e.g., won’t eject a spent case, won’t pick up the next round, first round, last round, sometimes, always?

Have you tried different magazines, new mag springs, new mags?

Others with more experience may have more probing questions or specific areas of focus.  At any rate, additional info will help complete the picture of your struggles.  Best of luck.

Is the 185 grain Zero bullet a lead semi-wadcutter or a jacketed hollowpoint?

And what's the sighting setup? Irons, frame-mounted dot or slide-mounted dot?

I had the trigger lightened on one of my LB's and shot a couple dozen of
HBSWC  and Zero JHP 185's today, all ran well at 700fps. 12# recoil spring.

I used to own a Baer Super-Tac, and just can't remember how it was configured, but have you checked to see if you have a square or radiused firing pin stop?  A square one will bleed off a lot of energy; I don't use them when building 9mm or .38 Super 1911s for this reason.

I picked up a new Les Baer 45 to look at in a gunshop a couple of years ago.  I'm not a little guy, but I could not cycle the gun by hand.  Neither could the gunshop guy.  So much for barrel fit...........

Dr.Don wrote:I picked up a new Les Baer 45 to look at in a gunshop a couple of years ago.  I'm not a little guy, but I could not cycle the gun by hand.  Neither could the gunshop guy.  So much for barrel fit...........

Aimpoint 9000, gives you leverage!

4.0 WST LSWC  with #12 spring should work. Check the extractor tension. Do not run Hard Ball.

Les Baer supposedly uses 21# hammer spring.

Try a different oil? - FP-10? -  Make sure the chamber is clean & slick/polished. Maybe oil a top round occasionally. - - -I know a competitive Master who, I think, oils top round of almost every magazine. - Did I get that right Jeff?
2¢ -- YMMV