Ruger LC 45 First Shot Anolamy

[Siringo]

I recently purchased the LC 45. Love it. Other than the trigger sucks.

When I was checking my velocities, every single first shot, no matter the hand load or factory load, with or without suppressor, the velocity was consistently 75 fps slower than all the rest of the shots. Put in a fresh magazine and the same thing happens. First shot is always slower. Has anyone else noticed this??

 

[Pál_K]

Weird.

What is your chronograph?

Do you notice this with any other gun?

 

[NikA]

Have you checked for bullet setback yet? The loading/firing process in blowback PCCs is pretty violent and I've experienced "hot" loads due to setback. In a .45 it was enough to push loads transonic.

 

[GunnyGene]

Nope, but I don't have a chrono so I just have to go by the group, which is always pretty tight. I have no idea why that would be happening for you. Maybe something with your chrono and not the ammo? Try this: With a fresh fully loaded mag, fire the first shot at the ground or berm so the chrono won't record it, then fire your chrono group and see if you get the same problem.

 

[Siringo]

Weird.

What is your chronograph?

Do you notice this with any other gun?

New Garmin. Works with everything else.

 

[Siringo]

Have you checked for bullet setback yet? The loading/firing process in blowback PCCs is pretty violent and I've experienced "hot" loads due to setback. In a .45 it was enough to push loads transonic.

Good thought. I'll measure the next time. But I've shot factory, 185 RN, 200 RN, 200 SWC, 230 RN (all the aforementioned bullets are coated except factory) and 230 grain Berrys. Always the first round out the gate. All other shots have very low variations.

 

[Siringo]

Nope, but I don't have a chrono so I just have to go by the group, which is always pretty tight. I have no idea why that would be happening for you. Maybe something with your chrono and not the ammo? Try this: With a fresh fully loaded mag, fire the first shot at the ground or berm so the chrono won't record it, then fire your chrono group and see if you get the same problem.

I'll try that next time.

 

[gunzo]

The 1911 has a quirk like this. not to this extreme but known. Some think it's from riding the slide home with the hand, in your case, the bolt. Many insert a mag & rather than handling the slide they hit the slide release & let the slide slam the cartridge home naturally, just as the rest of the mag would be fed. ( the proper way to chamber an AR-15 as well)

A quick n easy try, especially having a Garmin. You lucky dog.

And BTW,,,, welcome to the forum.

 

[Siringo]

The 1911 has a quirk like this. not to this extreme but known. Some think it's from riding the slide home with the hand, in your case, the bolt. Many insert a mag & rather than handling the slide they hit the slide release & let the slide slam the cartridge home naturally, just as the rest of the mag would be fed. ( the proper way to chamber an AR-15 as well)

A quick n easy try, especially having a Garmin. You lucky dog.

And BTW,,,, welcome to the forum.

I've tried charging both ways. The results are the same. Where I first noticed this issue was testing loads at 50 yards. Every set had a shot out of the group a couple of inches. That's when I brought out the Garmin (best chronograph I've ever used)

 

[Siringo]

I tried your suggestion. Loaded 6 rounds and fired one away fro the Garmin. All subsequent shots were within velocity range. I used Fiocchi 45 target match. Velocity was around 1050 fps.

I then tried it again with all shots thru the chronograph and the 1st shot was 100 fps less than all the others.

I also shot a lever action and velocities were all consistent.

I'll try that next time.