1911 Reassembly Problems

[TrapK80]

Hello everybody. I have been recently experiencing a problem reassembling my 1911. The problem I have been encountering is that the slide stop will not slip into the slide notch, it keeps getting stuck on the slide stop plunger. When this happens I have to use a small slotted screw driver to push the slide stop plunger into the plunger tube and then insert the slide stop. I have two other 1911's and do not experience this problem at all. I tried reaming out the plunger tube using Brownell's plunger tube reamer kit, the safety and slide plunger easily retract into the tube with the minimal finger pressure, but the slide stop will not do it. I tried at least two different slide stops (that have worked in my other guns) but the problem persists. What would cure this? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

Plunger Tube Woes-

Hold it up so I can see it!
Possibility one is that you've over reamed which would result in the whatzit protruding too far into the slide lock cut out?
possibility two is that you havn't screwed up the plunger housing and that a slight radius needs done on your slide lock?

 

[TrapK80]

Ultima - I checked the plunger tube and it appears fine on both ends, the Brownells reamer comes in two sizes, one for the slide stop hole and the other for the safety end, so it is difficult (not impossible) to over-ream. Actually, I just lightly reamed the inside of the plunger tube with both reamers to smooth it out. I think you might be on the money regarding the slide stop itself. It works fine, that is, it holds the slide back on the empty mag. I remember seeing several websites that offer putting a detent on the slide stop. Would this work?

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

Detent?

Cutting a detent in the slide stop will add more pressure for the mag follower to over come.
Try and compare a known example gun to yours and see how far the plunger assy is protruding past the slide stop cut out? You might just trim a tad (CAREFUL!) off the end of the tip of the plunger assy?

 

[bountyhunter]

When my Trojan was new and tight, it was really hard to get the slide stop to snap past the detent ball. I asked the guy at STI what would fix it and he said a hammer.

You can file/polish the back side of the slide stop for a smooth angled face to make it slide the ball over a little easier... but if the detent spring is tight, a strong thumb (or hammer) may be the way to go.

 

[stans]

I have found it just takes a bit of practice to get the slide stop in without the plunger getting caught in the little slot in the back side of the slide stop.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I have a Colt that does the same thing, but the plunger tube is loose at the slide stop end, and works away from the frame. (Gotta fix it one these days). When I push the plunger tube flush with the frame, the slide stop pops right in.

 

[Dean Taylor]

If you are going to use an assist devise I recomment plastic like a credit card or spatula or making a brass tool from tubing at the hobby shop with a dowel handle. Plastic and brass do not mar the steel. Old tricks I learned oin the 50's and early 60's. Yes I also was doing this blindfolded betting money in those days but sometimes an assist devise is nice.

Dean
[email protected]

 

[TrapK80]

Thanks....

Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice and info. I will give them all a try and report back. Thanks again!!

 

[Dave Sample]

The spring is too stiff. Cut off a coil or two.