Tripp Conversions Came Yesterday!

[Josh Smith]

Hi Folks,

I had been having trouble feeding truncated cone hardcast



that had been feeding perfectly last summer. All other profiles from ball to hollowpoint fed fine. The couple wadcutters I had on hand showed no problems either.

In looking things over and double-checking with folks at other sites I figured the magazine springs should be replaced first as there are less than 500 rounds on the 18.5lb recoil spring.

Tripp hybrid conversion kits came yesterday.


These are just awesome!

The followers are hybrid and are of high quality.

I only had one bobble with the feeding - the first time I charged manually from slide stop. I pulled the slide back fully and it rode up fine.

I wouldn't mind finding a wadcutter profile bullet mold, but I really like this truncated cone style and want it to feed perfectly again.

The recoil spring still looks to be in good shape. The reloads may need a bumped powder charge, but the empties are ejecting in a textbook fashion, about 6' to my 4 o'clock.

I'm waiting on a Lee trimmer to get here to check all my cases, but they should all be in spec. I just can't see a .45acp case growing that much! I'll play with the handloads after casting new bullets.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Tripp conversions. Might have to spring for a Cobra mag to help feed these TC bullets as I've read they're more inline than other mags. We will see. I've never seen anything feed quite this slick before -- including my much-loved tapered-lip GI mag with GI hardball! I consider that the supreme setup for hardball use, so that says a lot!

I wish I'd not waited this long to order. Now if the spring life proves good, I'll convert my practice mags over, too!

Josh

[garydude]

Outstanding post Josh- thanks for the information about the conversions. I do need to change out my mag springs as they have run several thousands of rounds through them.

A couple questions if I may. First, what did the conversions cost (if you don't mind) and second, does your pistol feed XTP's without issue. I know it's not quite the same profile, but similar. Also, would another cast TC design possibly feed easier? JLA has produced some pretty interesting stuff with his moulds.

BTW it's pretty unlikely you will need to trim any of your 45 cases. I've only found them to get smaller over time (because of the headspacing on the case mouth).

[gdmoody]

I am not familiar with Tripp Conversions. I googled is and only found another thread that you started . Tell me what they do!

[garydude]

GD,

I'm almost positive he got them from Tripp Research.

I've not used their stuff but I've heard it's on par with the best out there.

[BETH]

what make pistol is that

[gdmoody]

Thanks, gary. I guess there are so many makers of 1911 magazines, I had never heard of them.

[gdmoody]

Originally Posted by BETH

what make pistol is that

From looking at the serial number, I am going to guess it is a Rock Island!

[Shooter45]

I use Metalform Mags for my LSWC ammo and have no problems.

Now, tell me why you are using an 18.5 recoil spring ? Also, how hot are you loading this ammo ?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

Originally Posted by garydude

Outstanding post Josh- thanks for the information about the conversions. I do need to change out my mag springs as they have run several thousands of rounds through them.

A couple questions if I may. First, what did the conversions cost (if you don't mind) and second, does your pistol feed XTP's without issue. I know it's not quite the same profile, but similar. Also, would another cast TC design possibly feed easier? JLA has produced some pretty interesting stuff with his moulds.

BTW it's pretty unlikely you will need to trim any of your 45 cases. I've only found them to get smaller over time (because of the headspacing on the case mouth).

Everything feeds fine. This TC just has issues because the meplat is a bit wider than most. Even after I get this fixed I'll probably go with a 200 grain SWC mold. (I wish someone made a 230 grain wadcutter mold!)

Originally Posted by gdmoody

I am not familiar with Tripp Conversions. I googled is and only found another thread that you started . Tell me what they do!

They make some of the best magazines out there. The late Steve Camp's favorite setup, from our talks, was a Wilson #47 with a Tripp conversion. I am beginning to see why he liked them so much!

Originally Posted by BETH

what make pistol is that

It's a custom that I built. I got a RIA basic model, stripped it, replaced all the springs and firing components (gutted it basically), and kept only the slide, barrel and frame. The STI Spartan uses the same frame and slide; I was going to replace the barrel too with a Colt NM I have laying around, but the stock barrel shoots so well that I figured it would be a waste of time.

Originally Posted by gdmoody

From looking at the serial number, I am going to guess it is a Rock Island!

Again... sort of!

Originally Posted by Shooter45

I use Metalform Mags for my LSWC ammo and have no problems.

Now, tell me why you are using an 18.5 recoil spring ? Also, how hot are you loading this ammo ?

The ammo is 4.6 grains of Bullseye to 5.2 grains of W231. Nothing real hot but not powder puff either. I dialed it back a notch as the bullets actually weigh 240 grains instead of the advertised 230 grains, with alloy.

The 18.5lb recoil spring is there for a couple reasons, but the mainspring is 21lbs. Brass ejects 6' to my 4 o'clock, right where it should. I have a complete cycle.

Regards,

Josh

[Shooter45]

Install the stock 16# recoil spring and watch the issue go away.

[PanhandlePop]

+1 on the Tripp replacement spring and follower. I ended up using them in a couple of older mags that were giving me problems. Good products, and while their mags are a bit pricy (but great quality), the replacement spring and follower are very inexpensive.

[Josh Smith]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

Install the stock 16# recoil spring and watch the issue go away.

Tried that... got worse.

Got to balance the springs out is all. I would agree with you if I retained the 23# mainspring.

Regards,

Josh

[Shooter45]

I somehow missed the part about the #23 mainspring. You have created your own timing issue but it can be easily fixed.

[Josh Smith]

Originally Posted by Shooter45

I somehow missed the part about the #23 mainspring. You have created your own timing issue but it can be easily fixed.

Hello,

There is no timing issue. Just different timing is all!

Regards,

Josh

[Shooter45]

Yeah...OK.