pistol jamming

Question
I recently bought a JIMENEZ ARMS J.A. 9MM  and i cant seem to to get through a full clip with out the magazine jamming, when i release the round from the chamber i look down into the clip and the rounds are all facing up. does that mean i need to buy new magazines or should i return the gun? and what is opinion on this brand? Hope to hear from you soon thanks  Dan C.

Answer
Hi Dan.

There are many causes for pistol malfunctions so you need to run a number of tests to isolate the root cause.

Make sure the pistol is properly cleaned and lubricated.  Even if it was brand new then you still have to clean it before the first shot then shoot it for a few hundred rounds to break it in.  Slide the cartridges all the way to the rear of the magazine when loading and do not overload the magazine.  Make sure you are seating the magazine firmly into the magazine well with a smooth quick motion where the base of the magazine is resting on the base of your palm when you drive it home.  Hold the pistol firmly with two hands, straight arms, and locked wrists.  Let another shooter try it as well.  Try a different magazine, preferably one that is clean and new and that hasn't been dropped.  Try using round-nose FMJ cartridges from several different manufacturers (Remington, Winchester, Federal, etc.) and with several different bullet weights (115, 124, 145, etc.)

These tests will resolve the most common causes of pistol malfunctions but it is also possible that your firearm is defective or damaged so do not continue to shoot it if you are uncertain about the condition.  Any reputable gunsmith should be able to check it out for you in quick order and some will do this for free.

I am not personally familiar with Jimenez Arms but I suspect that they are probably low-to-average quality firearms.  Here are some links with more info on JA:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryco_Arms
https://store.bluebookinc.com/download/Category.aspx?product=GUN&id=1162

Hope this helps.

Bob