1911 slide stop fallout

[majortoo]

I have a Magnum Research 1911 full size .45 with about 200 rounds down the tube. I am right handed. After the last round from the third magazine today, the slide stop decided to part company with the rest of the weapon, and the entire slide, spring, barrel, etc. damn near fell off! I have also experienced an occasional problem with premature engagement of the slide stop. Typically, this would occur after the third or fourth round of a full magazine. Magazines are all high quality (Wilson, Tripp, and MR). I am thinking of getting a new slide stop from Colt, Wilson or other after market types. If that does not cure the problem, I will probably sell it.
I really like the rest of the weapon, in terms of accuracy, fit and finish. I would appreciate any comments from the learned and august readers of this auspicious forum. (The rest of you are encouraged to chime in as well!
Thanks!

 

[Greg528iT]

is the detente plunger fully deployed? is the spring still in there pushing it into place?

 

[mljdeckard]

The first thing is to figure out HOW it came out with nothing breaking. In order for it to come out, it needs some kind of lateral nudge at the time the takedown notch is lined up with it as the slide moves. I have seen some ...higher-end 1911s sold with a slide stop that fits flush on the right side of the gun, rather than having a round bump, to prevent inadvertent pushing while firing, although I have never heard of this happening in real life. Are you pushing on it while firing? Are you left-handed? Like Greg suggested, is the detent working correctly?

If not, the first thing I would do is go to Brownell's or Midway and order another slide stop. This is a lot easier than assuming there is something wrong with the frame or link. Try the new stop first, and if it fixes it, then it was probably made a little too loose. If not, you are looking at having the frame, barrel, and link meddled with. (Call the manufacturer.)

 

[Onmilo]

I would replace the slide stop plunger, spring and safety plunger.
They may have already parted ways with the gun or the spring may be rusted or collapsed into the plunger tube.

Check slide stop tabs and see if the internal tab broke off

Check barrel link, make sure it did not crack or break into pieces

The first 1911A1 I was issued in service would drop the slide stop off the gun if you shook the pistol hard enough.

All those faults were present on that gun, replaced all the parts and pistol worked fine.

Amazingly, that 1911A1 of mine was in the servicable-ready to issue bay.

Small Arms Repairmen/Armorers are a bunch of real funny guys, especially when they are issuing weapons to another S.A.R.! HTH

 

[1911Tuner]

Check to see if you can push the stop out when it's not aligned with the takedown notch.

 

[moxie]

Likely a plunger problem.

 

[[email protected]]

I had a similar problem with a para 1911. The mag follower would push the slide stop out enough that the slide stop would not catch after firing the last round. I tried some regular mags with metal followers (the para's mags comes with plastic followers) and the slide stop would stay in place. I could also push the slide stop in a little from the right side of the gun. I replaced the slide stop and now it works fine with any mag.

 

[majortoo]

Thanks to all for comments. I really appreciate the generous comments from everyone. The scope of your technical knowledge is humbling.
Regarding specific comments:
The plunger seems to be working well.
The slide stop cannot be pushed out when not aligned with the notch.
A closer examination of the stop indicates excessive wear on the lower interior surface, just below the lug. I did not notice this previously, but it might have been machined during the manufacturing process to remove MIM material. Regardless, the recommendations regarding a replacement part appear to be the best way to go. This is certainly cheaper than sending it back to the shop for work, even under warranty.
I will keep you posted as to how it works after installation of the new slide stop.

 

[mljdeckard]

Good. I would look at midwayusa.com and brownells.com to see different options. (Order the free Brownell's 1911 catalog while you are there.)

 

[majortoo]

Thanks for the tips on catalogs. They can be downloaded also. Ordered the 10-8 slide stop, as it got good reviews from several sources and supposedly requires no special fitting. I really have no desire to attack a new part with cold chisels, hacksaws, files and a large hammer...I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

 

[majortoo]

Hi Sports Fans.
Well, the highly regarded 10/8 slide stop did not fix the problem. The weapon would not go into battery with the new slide stop, unless you pushed the slide the last eighth of an inch yourself. I was reluctant to fire the weapon under those conditions. (Just paint me "cautious"...) (For those of you who would call me a wimp, please remember that all these things are designed to go "bang" when you squeeze the trigger!) I cycled the action manually several hundred times, and still got the same result. Anyone want a really good deal on a very slightly used 10-8 slide stop? So, the next step is a standard Colt slide stop. We shall see if that solves the problem. I did confirm that the MR 1911 still performs premature slide stop engagement, even with original equipment. At the latest trip to the range, the only premature slide stop engagement occurred with one of the original magazines. The Wilson and Tripp magazines performed perfectly....this time. So, this may be one of those issues involved in the break in period.

 

[moxie]

At this point I think I'd throw in the towel and return the gun to Magnum research:
http://www.magnumresearch.com/serviceRepair.asp

I don't know to what degree the MR 1911s follow original Colt 1911 specs. If there is some variance there, it could account for the 10-8 part not functioning properly.

You said the plunger seems to be working well. I can't picture how the slide stop can fall out if indeed the plunger is working well. It usually takes some small effort to get the slide stop out and, as we all know, back in, when all is up to snuff. So you might want to re-address that with your stock slide stop installed.

Otherwise, back to the mother ship. Pay the money and get it fixed, or just sell it for parts. You can't sell it as a gun in that condition.