1911 Slide Stop Issue?

[PointOfAim]

just purchased my first 1911 (SW1911 108285)... after a cleaning and reassembly, I find the slide stop very hard to release the slide... have to use two thumbs to get the slide to release when locked up... it is much easier with no magazine, more of what I would expect with the magazine in place... had to push so hard to release the slide I noticed a small scratch in the blueing which I suspect was from so much pressure that I was pushing the stop against the frame... could there have been something I didn't do right with the reassembly that could be causing this problem... any help appreciated... thanks, POA.

 

[Azrael256]

You really shouldn't be hitting the slide stop without a loaded mag in place anyway, but it's supposed to be very difficult to drop the slide with an empty mag in place. The follower is pushing up on the slide stop, so you're fighting friction against the slide's notch, the plunger pin, and the mag spring. Try it with a loaded magazine, and it should feel just like it does with no magazine.

But seriously, don't allow the slide to just slam shut without a loaded mag. Repeatedly doing so will damage trigger parts. Ease it shut if you're not chambering a round.

 

[PointOfAim]

Thanks Azrael256... I figured it was probably something I was doing wrong and not an incorrect function of the gun... as soon as the rains let up out here in "not-so-sunny" California I'll be getting out to the range to put a few hundred rounds through it... agian, thanks for the reply, POA.

 

[Azrael256]

I'm always happy to help. It's a rare occurrence, but I can be of use to somebody now and then.

And do let us know how it shoots. S&W is the only 1911 I know absolutely nothing about, so I'm curious to know how it performs.