Failure to feed

[frogwalking]

I got back to the range today.  I had multiple failures to feed with Winchester hollow point ammunition.  All of them were using the 14 round magazine; with 10 rounds loaded.  Of course the first round (slide dropped on it) chambered, fired and ejected fine.  All ftfs were the next few rounds.  The last 5 or 6 in the mag worked fine.  No problems at all using the 10 round mag.  I am intimately not familiar with this gun, but it sounds like a weak mag spring to me.  Very accurate little beast.  It is every bit as accurate as the larger Beretta 92 compact (which went over 800 rounds today with never a single malfunction of any kind).  I like the little Rami and hope I can get the functioning right.  No matter what else happens, a carry gun must go bang every time the trigger is pulled.

[C. Andrew Dunning]

If you scour this group and those on Farcebook catering to CZs and RAMIs you'll see several discussions along these lines.  The common threads seem to be related to issues w. the 14r mags and the need for feed ramp polishing.  For me, it was definitely the latter.

[Husky629]

I had similar problems with the sharp lip of the Federal HST's catching the bottom of the ramp with the 14 rounder.  The on-deck rounds were sliding forward.  An extra power Wolff magazine spring almost eliminated it.  It went away completely when I went to the more rounded 124 +P Gold Dots.  The 10 round magazines would feed everything.  FMJ's would feed even with the stock spring.

[frogwalking]

The spring in the 14 round mag is considerably weaker than the 10 rounder.  Huskey, where did you buy your Wolff mag spring?  I seem to be able to shoot the gun with the 10 round mag just as well as with the longer one with the better grip.  The 10 rounder is easier to eject.  My shooting hand interferes with the larger mag coming free.

[Husky629]

CZ Custom has the +10% in stock.

https://czcustom.com/cz-75-pcr-compact-magazine-spring-10.html

[Nick1946]

I had some of this problem and cleaned the mags inside and out with Hoppes #9 and an old toothbrush-couldn't believe the crud that came out.  Also "hit" the back of the mag on my hand just before loading it in the gun as I have seen a few times that the last cartridge was a little forward in the mag lip.  YMMV

[frogwalking]

It is against my religion to pay more for shipping than the part ordered costs.  I will buy another 10 round mag.  I shot 70 more rounds today using only the 10 round mag with no issues.  I will do something about the 14 round mag when I find one that does not cost $10.00 to mail a $7.00 part. Oh.  I will clean the hell out of both mags to see if that helps.  (I found no cosmoline or other heavy corrosion prevention grease on the gun.)   Are all subcompact 9mm guns so sensitive about functioning properly?  I once had a S&W .22 Escort that could not be made to work, but that was many years ago.

[frogwalking]

OK: I gave in and ordered the new spring.  I also cleaned the 14 round mag, but there was very little to remove.  I did compare the spring rate (strength) for the two mags using an electronic scale.  I could not get an absolute value due to a lack of control, but it does appear that the spring on the 10 round mag is stronger.  The opposite of what it should be.  A major gun maker should not make a mistake an amateur (me) can detect, much less correct.  As I said earlier, I like the gun and will make some tweaks in an effort to ensure reliability, however, I am not married to it.  If I can't easily make it reliable, you will be able to buy it on Guns International.

[SlimChance]

I've also had a lot of FTFs and they happened right away with my new BD. Within the first 150 rounds or so, and with a variety of ammo and it happened with both the 10 and the 14 round mags. I started a post about it last week under "Mag Off Center?" and there's a picture of how the bullet at the top of the mag doesn't line up with the feed ramp. I called CZ-USA and they told me to send it in. He didn't seemed surprised to hear my description of this misalignment and said they could make some adjustments to make it work better. (I wanted to say I don't want it just "better", I want it perfect - but held my smart-ass tongue.)  4 to 6 or even 8 weeks though. I'm not the happiest camper in the tent right now.
-Slim

[ldryder]

I had the same problem with the 14 round mag until I changed the spring to Wolff +5%. 

[frogwalking]

I received my Wolff spring in two days.  It seems to have vastly improved the functioning the 14 round magazine.  The 10 round seems to be working.  I will let you know if the pistol has future issues.  So far, so good.

[frogwalking]

For anyone still reading this string: I have now put 350-400 rounds through this gun and have experienced no malfunctions for the last hundred and fifty shots.  This includes 3 or 4 full 14 round mag and a new 10 round factory mag,   I love the gun now that it is reliable,  It has always been accurate.  My new holster is now on the way.  I would never consider carrying a firearm that was not reliable.  If your Rami is not as reliable as you would like, I think a gunsmith can slick it up a little, or you can do it by shooting it.  (or with a stone or 1200 grit oxide paper)

[Vinny]

For anyone still reading this string: I have now put 350-400 rounds through this gun and have experienced no malfunctions for the last hundred and fifty shots.  This includes 3 or 4 full 14 round mag and a new 10 round factory mag,   I love the gun now that it is reliable,  It has always been accurate.  My new holster is now on the way.  I would never consider carrying a firearm that was not reliable.  If your Rami is not as reliable as you would like, I think a gunsmith can slick it up a little, or you can do it by shooting it.  (or with a stone or 1200 grit oxide paper)

I'm really pleased in following this thread to see the issues, suggestions, and solutions regarding the RAMI.

IMHO It's a really fine pistol, surprisingly accurate for a 3" barrel with a natural point and nice trigger; but it does have to pack a lot of punch into a small package; so all the parts have to be working in harmony.

The short Recoil Springs have to work extra hard so I've been replacing my outer spring every ~1,200 rounds and complete recoil spring assembly ever 3,600. YMMV but If you're running hot ammo, maybe 1/2 that.

The 14 round mag springs seem to be a weakness and it's good to hear the stronger WOLF springs have corrected it.

I've also found the feed ramp, which is relatively steep to be a potential hang-up as well. Since polishing my 2015  RAMI BD's ramp & throat I've had few issues even with JHP and I would guess the stronger mag springs too would end any issues. On my (2nd) RAMI BD marked '17' (2017) the ramp came polished so hopefully the factory has addressed this permanently.

Any other suggestions appreciated.

[Ruber]

...

The 14 round mag springs seem to be a weakness and it's good to hear the stronger WOLF springs have corrected it.

...

No problems with the factory 14 round mag springs with a smooth running gun (after ?break-in?).

If the wolf springs help get you there, great.

Making sure all the rough spots are addressed will go a long way too.  Breach face, firing pin hole, leading edge of the breach, under the extractor, magazine feed lips, etc.

[frogwalking]

'Nother 100 rounds  no malfunctions.    Three 14 round mags fired with no malfunctions .  This thing is good to go.  The 10 rounders will be good for carrying, and the 14 (+1) in the suitcase when staying in the motel.  Now just waiting for my holster (leather lined plastic) from Garrett.