1911 -slide won't move, springs won't come out!

[vikinggirl]

I posted an earlier thread about the 1911 compact I inherited from an uncle. Sorry I don't know how to link to that thread. I have cleaned and reassembled the gun, even used it at the range and it has seemed fine. Today I was showing it to a friend, dropped the mag (usually don't keep anything in the chamber) and attempted to pull the slide to check - the slide will only move a few millimeters forward or back! Attempted to disassemble the gun, was able to take the front bushing off, but only one spring will come out.

What have I done, and is it something that I can likely fix? Or do I need to see a gunsmith or someone more knowledgeable? I am *reasonably* certain the gun is unloaded, but cannot check obviously.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Trigun]

It might be the thumb safety was on?

Edmond

 

[Russ Jackson]

Slide your cleaning rod down and measure...Russ

 

[Sky]

I had something like that happen after a young Military recruit cleaned my 1911.

If you can remove the spring; if not remove end cap to release tension. Move slide back and forth (shake, rattle, and roll) until the slide goes back far enough to get the slide stop pin out for disassembly. Put the 1911 back together and be sure the pin goes through the eye of the barrel link loop. Sounds like you missed the eye of the barrel link to me...It is easy to do and if that is the problem no damage was done and hope that helps.

 

[vikinggirl]

Thank you Sky - that did it! I suspected that pin was the problem but was having a hard time getting it out. All better!

 

[Sky]

Ta Da!!!!!!

 

[Guillermo]

I love a happy ending

 

[Jim K]

Before installing the slide stop, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE THE LINK THROUGH THE HOLE. If the slide stop pin goes behind the link rather than through it, you may have to cut the slide stop to get the gun apart.

Jim

 

[vikinggirl]

Yikes Jim,

Thank you very much for that helpful caveat! I will try to be much more careful next time, and the time after that..... and the time.....

Guess you can never be too careful.

 

[gunnie]

as far as determining whether it was loaded...

if a similar situation occurs in the future, one CAN see light through the bbl by looking on the sides of the ejector at the rear of the slide when the weapon is unloaded. (little "L" shaped piece left of hammer at slide rear surface)

try it with a known empty chamber to become familiar with this.

you can also take it to a 'smith and get a notch machined at the top of the bbl hood (little rectangular section at top, rear) like springfield armory does to their offerings now in way of appeasing the "loaded chamber indicator" laws in the people's republik of kalyfornya.

gunnie

 

[Sky]

Youtube has a few good vids on tear down and putting the beast back together. Trust me you are not the first nor will you be the last...

There is a secret on getting the barrel link loop to line up with the frame hole that is both quick and easy. It involves flipping the gun back up-right after the lower frame is slid back on.

A rapid 180 degree turn along the linear axis pulls the eye straight down so a slight adjustment of the upper slide is all that is needed to line everything up.

Besides it looks cool like you know what you are doing.

1911 is upside down; slide is started and pushed on while rapidly rolling the gun back to the normal verticle firing position.

The centrifugal force centers the loop if it is done right. Next time you clean just play around and you may figure it out.

 

[EddieNFL]

Put the 1911 back together and be sure the pin goes through the eye of the barrel link loop...

...and perform a function test.

 

[Sky]

EddieNFL believe it or not I have seen one jam after the last round was fired and the pin was never in the barrel loop. Surprised the gun didn't do something like come apart or worse.

I am just a user not a 1911 engineer but I personally think they are heavy metal well made great shooting best in the history of the world etc etc etc pistols! Just a joke my Glock brothers and sisters!!

 

[vikinggirl]

EddieNFL - I never would have put the gun away if it hadn't been working properly (or so I thought) when I finished cleaning. I would have noticed the slide not moving...

Sky, Unfortunately I cannot blame a new military recruit, just myself! But I will look for those handy youtube videos about the 'flipping' maneuver. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Sky]

I have never seen the flip "thang" on youtube!!! Was on a weapons team way way way back and part of some important (?) military training was the disassembly placing parts on a mat in a designated position and then reassembling the weapon. There were actually timed trials ( the military mind is awesome, no?). If you find it on youtube please let me know it was kinda like a team military secret!! We may have to go find them!!