1911 slide not returning

[Dream Catcher]

it's stripping a round from the mag and feeding but not fully returned/in battery. (forgot the exact term). it leaves 5-10cm gap. this happens every 10-15 rounds.
what exactly could be the culprit? this does not happened before until i changed several things
changes
1. very tight bushing and recoil spring plug (not spring)
2. hammer and sear
3. from extended to standard slide stop
4. trigger job and barrel throating

could the ff: be the direct culprit..
1. recoil spring (stock)
2. extractor (stock but tweaked a bit)
3. a bit loose standard slide stop.

 

[LNK]

Need more info...

Are you shooting factory ammo or reloads? Lead or jacketed?Is the gun really dry? How does the gun cycle empty, try releasing the slide by slowly guiding into battery by hand and feeling for hanging up. Obviously make sure it is empty. You will probably find out what it is by trying this.

Good luck,
LNK

 

[Dream Catcher]

lead reload. slowly to battery seems smooth and no hanging up but while racking i feel this spring touching something this happens with the chrome spring plug (by the way,what's with the small hole near the front) but no such feeling with the spring plug stock.

 

[Creature]

Try a couple of mags of some factory ammo...start with ball.

 

[1911Tuner]

Very tight bushing and recoil spring plug

We have a (possible) clue.

Slide off, install the barrel and bushing. Place the barrel in the engaged position with the bushing in place and press the barrel into the slide. Release it. Does it spring back up? If it does, the bushing to barrel fit is a bit too tight. That can cause go to/return to battery problems that show up when a cartridge is introduced.

 

[brickeyee]

it leaves 5-10cm gap.

Sure hope you mean millimeters, otherwise you are looking at 2-4 inches.

 

[Jim K]

I think Tuner has the answer.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

By any chance is this barrel one that doesn't have a step at the muzzle end, as so-called "match barrels" do?

 

[Dream Catcher]

i guess it should be mm than cm.
no step up at the muzzle

Tuner not so sure if i got your instruction to the letter...here goes..
slide off and the only thing different from the normal slide install config is there's no spring/spring plug/guide rod.
bushing and barrel in the normal battery position then i push the barrel to the slide and it didn't spring back.

 

[Old Fuff]

To work, your barrel must be able to tip up and down to unlock and then lock into the slide. There is no problem with this if you have an original USGI barrel bushing, but if you go to a tighter one without making modifications to the barrel (if they haven't been made already) you will get a condition like you describe because the barrel binds at the front bushing as the slide tries to go into battery.

If you still have the barrel bushing that came with the pistol, reinstall it and see if the won't-go-into-battery condition goes away.

 

[1911Tuner]

Another possibility that I've seen come up with tight barrel/bushing fit is...as the slide returns to battery, the bushing grabs the flared portion of the barrel near the muzzle and drags the barrel forward a little too early. As the barrel moves forward, it also moves up. If it moves into the slide too early relative to the slide's position, the lug corners hit, and the slide comes to a stop.

This condition will usually give indication by displaying a little hitch before going to battery even with the gun empty if you let the slide ride to battery slowly.

Check the cases that were feeding when the gun stopped to see if there's a small gouge, about a 10th inch below the mouth and about an eighth inch long. If they're there, you're having a 3-Point Jam. If the slide goes to battery smoothly when the gun is empty, it's coming from the bullet nose hitting the barrel ramp and pushing the barrel forward. If the slide grabs when the gun is empty, it's coming from the bushing dragging the barrel forward.

 

[Dream Catcher]

didn't notice anything in the cases.
i haven't got time to visit the range but earlier i tried loading 16 ammo and all in battery but im pointing downwards as im not in the range to point it horizontally.
now im curious if downward direction have relevance.

 

[1911Tuner]

Seems to have an effect, but hand cycling the ammunition doesn't provide a reliable indicator because the dynamics change when it's in normal operation.

Have a close look at the front corners of the barrel lugs. Do they look okay...or do they have any indication of impact? It'll be light and right on the corner if it's there.

 

[Dream Catcher]

all i notice is wearing of the blued finish. there's no sharp or rough edges.nothing but smooth rounded surfaces.

 

[1911Tuner]

I dunno. This one would be a tough call without actually seeing the gun.

 

[Dream Catcher]

it's that loose slide stop. but not loose perse but the pin not protruding that much and don't stop/lock the slide stop firmly.
thanks for the replies.