Question for you 1911 gurus

[PinnedAndRecessed]

I've got a new Combat Commander and the slide is locking back prematurely. I've already sent it back to the factory and they said it was fixed.

Only it's still doing it.

I changed magazines. It's still doing it.

I changed slide stop levers. It's still doing it.

I'm a left-handed shooter and am careful that my hand is nowhere near the slide stop.

I've also varied the ammo. SWC. Round nose. Same problem.

I guess I'm going to send it back again.

But can anybody tell me what's going on?

 

[XavierBreath]

To make certain it is not you, have somebody else shoot the pistol a bit. If the problem occurs for them too, keep investigating.

Next, what caliber is your pistol? .45ACP, 10mm and 9mm all use different followers. This is often overlooked. If yours is not correct regarding caliber, that could be the problem.

Take off the top end, insert the slide stop, insert a magazine, and watch the engagement of the follower. If the back side of the slide stop, the part that is pushed up by the follower is big enough to contact a round in the magazine, then file it down a tad where it contacts the ammo. I usually smooth this area of the slide stop to remove all the little angles and just make a polished surface.

Check to make certain your plungers move within the plunger tube. A slight angle on the back of the slide stop is used by the forward plunger to keep the slide stop down until the mag follower overcomes the spring pressure of the plunger. Make certain the plunger works. Occasionally, if the correct angle is not present on the slide stop surface, a shallow, very shallow depression can be made to engage the slide stop plunger. Obviously, if this depression is to much, the slide will then not lock back, so go very very easy. It's easier to make a shallow recess than it is to fill one.

I hope some of this helps.

 

[Old Fuff]

Hard to say without examining the gun, but for starters, field strip the gun but replace the slide stop. Then insert a loaded magazine and push each round forward while watching the cartridge feed and the next rould come up in the magazine. Maybe you'll spot a clue.

Also replace the slide stop plunger and spring (especially the spring) as a weak spring or short plunger may allow the slide stop to bounce upward.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Also replace the slide stop plunger and spring (especially the spring) as a weak spring or short plunger may allow the slide stop to bounce upward.

How do I get those out?

 

[Old Fuff]

First get your tire iron...

Ah, no...

After field stripping the pistol remove the safety lock (manual safety). Then note a little plunger (pin) sticking out from the tube fastened on the left side of the frame just above the grip. Grasp the plunger with a pair of needle nosed pliers and pull it straight backwards. The spring and plunger assembly (two plungers with a spring in the middle) should come out.

You may note that the spring has a kink in the middle. Not to worry - it's supposed to.

 

[XavierBreath]

This link may help you out.

You don't have to do a complete detail strip to remove the plungers, but if you remove the thumb safety, place a large rubber band around the grip safety first, to keep it depressed. This will keep the sear spring from popping out of place.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Fuff/Xavier:

I inserted a loaded magazine into the frame. The bullets do not contact the slide stop lever.

I checked the plunger. It's working. Maybe it's too weak. Does anybody sell stronger-than-factory aftermarket plunger springs?

Also, I have an aftermarket (Brownell's) ambi safety installed (by the gunsmith who ordered the gun for me). How do I get it off?

 

[XavierBreath]

P&R, go to the link I cited above for details and pics.

There are two basic types of ambi-safeties.

Type 1 uses a modified sear pin to hold the right side on. You remove the left side first using the link I cited, and then the right.

Type 2 is far more common. The right side of a type 2 ambi safety is held on by the right grip. Remove the grip, pull off the right side. The pin joining it to the left is a slot and tab design. Then, go to the left side, place a rubber band around the grip safety to depress it. Cock the hammer. Move the thumb safety about half way through it's arc, and pull straight out. Occasionally I will have to slip a small screwdriver underneath it and gently pry. The half way through the arc position is crucial to remove the left side.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Xavier.

So far:

I changed magazines. It's still doing it.

I changed slide stop levers. I temporarily replaced the slide stop lever with the one from my Mark 4/Series 70. (It works fine in the Mk.4.) It's still doing it.

I've taken the slide off and inserted a fully loaded magazine into the frame to see if the bullets were somehow contacting the slide stop lever. The bullets do not contact the slide stop.

I pulled the slide off to make sure the plunger is working. The plunger is working.

I'm a left-handed shooter and am careful that my hand is nowhere near the slide stop. Besides, I've never had this problem with my Mark 4/Series 70 Colt 1911.

I've also varied the ammo. SWC. Round nose. Same problem.

Do you think it's the plunger spring? I mean, it's brand new.

Who sells aftermarket plunger springs and, is it possible to get one stronger than factory?

 

[Old Fuff]

Brownells has both stock and stronger springs. If you order a spring(s) also get a plunger. They are inexpensive, and the one you have may be too short.

www.brownells.com

 

[XavierBreath]

P&R,
It's very difficult to diagnose without holding the weapon. One thought....you say you have replaced the slide stop? Is it an extended slide stop? If so, they are notorious for locking a slide under recoil. They are just too heavy.

The plunger should exert a little pressure on the rear of the slide stop. the rear of the slide stop should be slightly angled, causing this pressure to push it down. Hopefully the picture below will illustrate this angle. It's not much, but it is important.

I changed slide stop levers. I temporarily replaced the slide stop lever with the one from my Mark 4/Series 70. (It works fine in the Mk.4.) It's still doing it.

I think this pretty much rules out the slide stop as the culprit.

A new plunger tube is suspect in this case, more so than an old, well broken in tube. The front of the tube may have a burr that is impairing movement of the plunger. The tube may be slightly dented from staking at the factory. These are not polished parts at the factory. An old tube is polished from use and has a track history of working, a new tube does not. I know that sounds strange perhaps, but that is why I suspect the new plunger tube assy. If you haven't yet figured out how to remove the thumb safety and plunger springs, squirt a little BreakFree on the rear plunger and let it dribble down into the tube. The lube will get to the front plunger if the gun is held muzzle down, and it will lube the spring on the way. That might be just enough to overcome the resistance.

Has anyone else shot the pistol and experienced the same problem?

A good 1911 smith should be able to take a look at your pistol and tell you what is wrong pretty quickly. Before you send it to Colt again, you might want to let a local smith have a look.