I recently bought a Springfield Armory Range Officer, .45 cal., 5" (in case the details matter). So far, I have fired nothing but powder coated, round-nose boolits cast from wheel weights. I have put about 500 rounds through it, and I am experiencing consistent FTF with the first round of a full magazine. This happens with both the stock 7 round mags and aftermarket 8 round mags. The situation is somewhat better if I slingshot the slide instead of releasing it with the slide release, but not by much. The top round usually nose dives into the ramp and stops dead, and the problem gets worse as the feed ramp gets dirtier.
I know that this sort of nose diving is a "feature" of 1911's with their single stack mags, but the round is supposed to bounce up and keep going into the chamber. I'm starting to wonder if maybe my alloy (straight wheel weights) is too soft, so that instead of continuing up the ramp, the boolit "smooshes" and develops a flat on the end that keeps it from moving any further.
It has also occurred to me that the powder coat might be causing more drag than a lubed lead or jacketed projectile. In any case, if anyone has any words of wisdom, lay it on me!
Thanks,
John