S&W 1911--Brass Damage

[federali]

My new S&W 1911 runs flawlessly. In using mid-range, cast bullet handloads, I noticed that the rims of the ejected shell casings are bent slightly outward where the extractor makes contact. If I had to guess, I think the extractor is pulling on the shell casing before the gun is sufficiently unlocked to allow extraction, sort of like a timing problem.

Are bent rims typical of 1911s? Does anyone have experience with this sort of problem? In a Browning Hi-Power website, a Browning expert says lightening the return or recoil spring causes the gun to unlock sooner--just wondering.

Many thanks to anyone who can help.

[DAVE RICHARDS]

Lots of the S&W 1911 (Commander sized especially) have improperly machined breeches that have a ledge on the left side. It is causing a cut in the brass on the rear left side out from the primer. An bending the rim. S&W was fixing these at first. Now they claim it is strictly cosmetic. B.S.!
It causes the round to enter the chamber at a slight angle and puts too much pressure on the extractor as it presses the round too tightly against the breech. Go to the 1911 forum and do a seach under breech ledge. It will explain it better than I can. Mines at Smith right now for this problem and the hammer following the slide down. I'll let you know what if anything they do about this.