Perfect timing. As I work on my 1911 builds I have been contemplating adding the marvel ramp. As I study the opinions of men smarter than me, most have made up their minds that it has many negatives. Although I’m not a Bullseye shooter, performance and accuracy of every round is important. To say it only improves the first round, not the rest means that for 12% of the rounds it’s not important (1/8=12%.) My hesitation was caused by comments of weakening the breach face. I have the slide of a 10mm I have been working on on my mill and I think I’ll give it a try. It will only take 15 minutes or so and most of that is setup. Thanks for the timely education.
I like this mod. A few observations for clarification: I know you already understand this but here goes... The rearward travel of the trigger increases upward force on the disconnector because the middle prong of the leaf-spring is being flexed. The slide's rearward travel pushes the disconnector down and "disconnects" the trigger from the sear. Reset happens when the slide returns to battery AND the trigger is released. So, the disconnector is only down because the slide is not "home." Yet, even though it is in a downward position, it is still pushing upward against the slide until it finds home. The home position scallop under the slide allows the disconnector to re-connect with the trigger. This constant upward tension on the disconnector is exactly why this mod exists. I can see it aiding in smooth feeding due to less "Jittering" of the slide during cycling. Thus, maintaining better control and more constant contact with the casing. However, what it has to do with accuracy, I have no clue.
1911s have a purist following that thinks anything you do to modify one is almost sacrilegious. I have over 30 of them in various lengths and calibers. Probably half of mine have been modified in one way or another. We have an advantage that John Browning did not have, and that is a hundred years of data to look at. I have ramped a few of mine and it does make for a smoother operation.
You know, I never knew about the "marvel cut" when I got into 1911s. I got a Tisas Stingray just to check out the platform. Ended up really enjoying it, so I ordered a Stealth Arms Platypus because I wanted a doublestack, the mags are cheap (glock) and I could customize it. It is smooth, no hang ups, just beautiful (imo). I got a prodigy recently and even though it is smooth as well (after some racking and cleaning off of cerakote), but I can feel the disconnector when riding the slide forward. Took them apart and that's when I noticed the ramp cut into the Platypus. I looked it up and learned about the Marvel cut. I was floored they added that into the design, and wondered why everyone didn't do it. A cheap Turkish 1911 sure I can see not doing it, but....what's everyone else's excuse? LOL
The Marvel Cut is a great Mod, I have two 1911's done by JT Timmons that were featured on a Magazine, forgot the magazine, I did the article and I totally forgot, this happens with getting old, I got CRS.
Accuracy?? There have been many questions on how this improves accuracy. Rather than trying to answer this every time it comes up, I will answer it once here. Please note that the improvement in accuracy is with the first round chambered from the magazine only. The accuracy improvement is slight and applies more to people shooting in competition beyond 25 Yards. However, the improvement in accuracy does exist and can be tested/measured using a Ransom Machine rest. It eliminates the hard contact of the disconnector when loading the first round and replaces it with a much smoother and controlled depression of the disconnector. The contact the disconnector makes with the slide and the velocity difference isn’t enough to stop a round from chambering, but it does impact the way the first round is chambered. This is commonly known in the industry as a "first round flier". The slot eliminates the first-round flier. So why does the accuracy of this first round seem to be affected by the slide speed? I don't think the answer to that question is fully understood.
I checked a pile of different 1911s at my local lgs yesterday. Out of all the different models, a bull armory had the smoothest feeling slide when I racked it. In your opinion, what makes the slide feel so smooth on some models?
There are a number of things at play that can affect the smoothness of a 1911 cycle. For instance, polished surfaces, spring weights and quality, slide to frame fit, disco slot and barrel fit all play a role. The amount of hand fitting and tuning usually play a big role.
If we didn't continue to innovate and improve mechanical devices we would still be driving model T fords and flying in bi-planes. Goo for it. Makes sense to me.
Seems like a good idea, but the channel would cause more drag on the feed & shear off. On a tighter gun, it probably would run well, on a looser it wouldn't matter. I'd really not mess with it & just round the bottom of the breach corner. Although I could see some benefit with Commander & Officer slides having shorter time to inertia over the detent disconnector.
you can adjust the spring, and you can trim the disconnector so that it pivots on the sear pin, if you try this go slowly and carefully checking proper disconnect function and have a spare in case you go too far.
Does adding the marvel adaption put excessive stress on the slide at the end of its rearward travel? Do you feel the need to add a recoil buffer after making the modification? Thanks in advance…
No, it does not. There is so little material removed the stress on the slide is virtually unchanged. In fact, I don't normally recommend using recoil buffers at all unless you are shooting heavy loads and just target shooting.
I’m am preparing to do this cut on my milling machine but I can’t find specific measurements (Depth, width, and length) and I don’t have, or haven’t seen a slide with this cut done. Can you help a fellow smith with some numbers. I could guesstimate but would rather have an experienced smith toss me a bone. Thanks in advance. I await with great interest.
Rather than a ramp cut, beveling off the center edge would create probably 80% of the mechanical benefit without removing as much material. Not a gunsmith but trained as a toolmaker in the dark ages!
Yeah, why not cut the slide thumb safety all the way forward so you have a constant safety. Looked like hell back in the day too. Then there was the grip safety delete mainspring housing thing that was pretty dumb.
Time and money to do these wonderful adaptations. The 1911 was meant to be a mass produced conscript issued sidearm not the custom trophies we have made of some of them.
Obvious issue, you were able to fire the pistol, and the slide was NOT in battery. This may be an issue with your firearm and not the modification. Or you machined both ends which seems improper.
Perfect timing. As I work on my 1911 builds I have been contemplating adding the marvel ramp. As I study the opinions of men smarter than me, most have made up their minds that it has many negatives. Although I’m not a Bullseye shooter, performance and accuracy of every round is important. To say it only improves the first round, not the rest means that for 12% of the rounds it’s not important (1/8=12%.) My hesitation was caused by comments of weakening the breach face.
I have the slide of a 10mm I have been working on on my mill and I think I’ll give it a try. It will only take 15 minutes or so and most of that is setup. Thanks for the timely education.
I like this mod. A few observations for clarification: I know you already understand this but here goes... The rearward travel of the trigger increases upward force on the disconnector because the middle prong of the leaf-spring is being flexed. The slide's rearward travel pushes the disconnector down and "disconnects" the trigger from the sear. Reset happens when the slide returns to battery AND the trigger is released. So, the disconnector is only down because the slide is not "home." Yet, even though it is in a downward position, it is still pushing upward against the slide until it finds home. The home position scallop under the slide allows the disconnector to re-connect with the trigger. This constant upward tension on the disconnector is exactly why this mod exists. I can see it aiding in smooth feeding due to less "Jittering" of the slide during cycling. Thus, maintaining better control and more constant contact with the casing.
However, what it has to do with accuracy, I have no clue.
1911s have a purist following that thinks anything you do to modify one is almost sacrilegious. I have over 30 of them in various lengths and calibers. Probably half of mine have been modified in one way or another. We have an advantage that John Browning did not have, and that is a hundred years of data to look at. I have ramped a few of mine and it does make for a smoother operation.
Love it! Add it to all my 1911’s
It just makes sense mechanically
And i love seeing you work. The gun you worked on for me is my favorite carry piece.
Thank you. I hope all is well.
You know, I never knew about the "marvel cut" when I got into 1911s. I got a Tisas Stingray just to check out the platform. Ended up really enjoying it, so I ordered a Stealth Arms Platypus because I wanted a doublestack, the mags are cheap (glock) and I could customize it. It is smooth, no hang ups, just beautiful (imo). I got a prodigy recently and even though it is smooth as well (after some racking and cleaning off of cerakote), but I can feel the disconnector when riding the slide forward. Took them apart and that's when I noticed the ramp cut into the Platypus. I looked it up and learned about the Marvel cut. I was floored they added that into the design, and wondered why everyone didn't do it. A cheap Turkish 1911 sure I can see not doing it, but....what's everyone else's excuse? LOL
The Marvel Cut is a great Mod, I have two 1911's done by JT Timmons that were featured on a Magazine, forgot the magazine, I did the article and I totally forgot, this happens with getting old, I got CRS.
It does indeed lessen the "cold shot" effect.
Accuracy?? There have been many questions on how this improves accuracy. Rather than trying to answer this every time it comes up, I will answer it once here. Please note that the improvement in accuracy is with the first round chambered from the magazine only. The accuracy improvement is slight and applies more to people shooting in competition beyond 25 Yards. However, the improvement in accuracy does exist and can be tested/measured using a Ransom Machine rest. It eliminates the hard contact of the disconnector when loading the first round and replaces it with a much smoother and controlled depression of the disconnector. The contact the disconnector makes with the slide and the velocity difference isn’t enough to stop a round from chambering, but it does impact the way the first round is chambered. This is commonly known in the industry as a "first round flier". The slot eliminates the first-round flier. So why does the accuracy of this first round seem to be affected by the slide speed? I don't think the answer to that question is fully understood.
I checked a pile of different 1911s at my local lgs yesterday. Out of all the different models, a bull armory had the smoothest feeling slide when I racked it. In your opinion, what makes the slide feel so smooth on some models?
There are a number of things at play that can affect the smoothness of a 1911 cycle. For instance, polished surfaces, spring weights and quality, slide to frame fit, disco slot and barrel fit all play a role. The amount of hand fitting and tuning usually play a big role.
Great , GREAT Info . Sir 👍 ,
I did this big improvement
It makes sense mechanically
If we didn't continue to innovate and improve mechanical devices we would still be driving model T fords and flying in bi-planes. Goo for it. Makes sense to me.
Do you include this “upgrade” on all the pistols you build or just as ordered by the customer?
On my full builds this is standard. It is optional upgrade to the gunsmith packages but is pretty reasonably priced.
I NEED those grips!!!!
Seems like a good idea, but the channel would cause more drag on the feed & shear off. On a tighter gun, it probably would run well, on a looser it wouldn't matter. I'd really not mess with it & just round the bottom of the breach corner. Although I could see some benefit with Commander & Officer slides having shorter time to inertia over the detent disconnector.
Always put a drop of oil on the disconnect button
6:34 was the slide not all the way in Battery when you fired?
I decided to do my own modification of a ramp with a Dremel tool. Do you believe some improvements can be made without precision tooling?
you can adjust the spring, and you can trim the disconnector so that it pivots on the sear pin, if you try this go slowly and carefully checking proper disconnect function and have a spare in case you go too far.
Does adding the marvel adaption put excessive stress on the slide at the end of its rearward travel? Do you feel the need to add a recoil buffer after making the modification? Thanks in advance…
No, it does not. There is so little material removed the stress on the slide is virtually unchanged. In fact, I don't normally recommend using recoil buffers at all unless you are shooting heavy loads and just target shooting.
Ty!
I’m am preparing to do this cut on my milling machine but I can’t find specific measurements (Depth, width, and length) and I don’t have, or haven’t seen a slide with this cut done. Can you help a fellow smith with some numbers. I could guesstimate but would rather have an experienced smith toss me a bone.
Thanks in advance. I await with great interest.
Go to my email on my website and I will give you some specifics. www.mastergun1911.com
Rather than a ramp cut, beveling off the center edge would create probably 80% of the mechanical benefit without removing as much material. Not a gunsmith but trained as a toolmaker in the dark ages!
I have never heard of Wilson doing it and, whatever works for you
Yeah, why not cut the slide thumb safety all the way forward so you have a constant safety. Looked like hell back in the day too. Then there was the grip safety delete mainspring housing thing that was pretty dumb.
Didn't you void the warranty by doing that?
Any custom work done by anyone, but the manufacturer will most likely void the warrantee.
4:00 how does this improve accuracy?
It doesn’t
Since the disco is not hitting the breach face and causing the barrel to not be affected by it hitting a fit point. Plus he explains it around 5:00
Smoothness and less wear yes, but I'm failing to understand how that can affect accuracy....
Believe me it’s bob marvels deal,
The truth might surprise you
Does this void my Life time warranty?
Maybe depending on the manufacturer
Definitely!!!
Time and money to do these wonderful adaptations. The 1911 was meant to be a mass produced conscript issued sidearm not the custom trophies we have made of some of them.
Why the whispering?
Its a secret.
Obvious issue, you were able to fire the pistol, and the slide was NOT in battery.
This may be an issue with your firearm and not the modification.
Or you machined both ends which seems improper.
you guys talk too much as you are some technological geek, dont waste my time
Just wondering why it's cut as a channel, wouldn't it be easier to cut it at a slant like your drawing at 1:52?
That is a great question. You could do that. I have done it in the past and it worked well with no issues.