Problem with Slide Stop Engagement

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TarpleyG

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I have a Kimber Custom Classic that has a problem where the slide stop will not fully engage into the notch in the slide on the last round. Sometimes it'll go about 3/4 of the way in and sometimes it'll go in a 1/4 and others not catch at all.

I have verified this with 2 different slide stops and both of them work fine on other guns. I have tried filing, sanding, and polishing one of them to shorten it and make it smoother. The plunger and spring feel no tighter than other guns I have.

How do I troubleshoot and fix this? It's very frustrating.

Thanks,
Greg
 
It is probobly the magazine!!! the mag follower is what pushes the stop up after the last round. Try a different mag and see what happens.
 
It's not the magazine. I have about a dozen of them and they work fine in every other 1911 I have...
 
"It's not the magazine. I have about a dozen of them and they work fine in every other 1911 I have..."

What kind/types of magazines do you have? I am not an advocate of the standard kimber/GI style mags. I run only Wilson Combat magazines through my 1911. I was at the range the other week and a guy was having the same problem with his 1911 (granted it was a Llama). I function tested his with one round in the mag a couple of times and then tried my W.C. mag. It locked open every time and the guy's jaw hit the ground. The first place you look when the slide fails to lock back on the last round is the magazine. You may try an increased power spring.

If that's not the problem then I would recommend you give Kimber a call and let them know the problem. There may be a problem with the dimensions of the notch during production. If you don't get anywhere with them, I'd take it to a qualified gunsmith and check with them prior to going in that they have experience with 1911's. Some don't but it's a good thing to check.
 
Okay guys...just so's you know...I have been around the 1911 block a couple of times by this time in my life. Wilson, McCormick, or Mecgar...take your pick. Same symptoms with them all. It's not the magazines.

It seems to me like the plunger tube is too long and the gap between the tube and the stop is too narrow. It was recently refinished and I am sure the 'smith removed the old tube and put on a new one. Has anyone ever seen a plunger tube and/or plunger behave this way? I've had them where they lock up prematurely but never where it won't consistently lock up.

Greg
 
I'll have to see if I can measure it with feeler gauges when I get home. What's within spec?

Greg
 
IMG_0850_1.jpg

It measures .049" best I can tell. Seems like the same on another gun that's working fine. You can also see where it's starting to peen the notch. This is after only one match...about 50 rounds and only 2 or 3 locks back between reloads. The rest was from me trying to smooth out the stop itself and testing.

Greg
 
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