Colt Government 380 Slide Stop

[DblGonzo]

I recently purchased a Colt Government 380. Too good of a deal to pass up. I replaced the springs and did a complete strip and cleaning. The only problem with the gun is the slide stop. It will move out slightly and jam the slide. It has only done it once while shooting but if you cycle the slide holding the gun left side down after about 1 or 2 cycles it jams.

I have found a couple of places that sell a replacement slide stop. But I would like to make sure before I drop $52 on it. The slide stop spring fits snug and has what seems to be good downward pressure on the slide stop. I am not sure about the shape of the spring, the part that goes to the slide stop is angled towards the frame and only makes contact on the very edge of the shelf on the slide stop. With the slide removed just a light tap on the slide stop pin and it pops out.

There is not a gunsmith nearby so I would like to try and fix it myself before I take a 3 hr round trip drive.

 

[john323]

Could be just a weak spring.Call Colt and see if they have a replacement spring before you spend alot of hard earned $$$.

 

[ants]

I know it's cheating, but...

Stretch the spring out a little. If you're thinking of replacing it anyway, it doesn't ruin anything to stretch it out first and see if that helps.

I assume it jams when the takedown notch is just in the right spot, and the slide stop slips outward slightly, right? The spring on mine holds the slide stop firmly without letting it move leftward. No movement at all. Unless there is visible damage on the pin or the barrel lug, one sorta suspects the spring is weak, not the slide stop.

 

[DblGonzo]

After a closer examination it appears that the previous owner assembled the gun with the slide stop spring not seated correctly and bent it. I compared it to some pictures and I have bent it back to shape. I will order a new one, but it seems to be working fine now.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[john323]

Glad to hear it.

 

[ants]

Well, DblG, that was unexpected. Glad you found it.

Revisit one more time after you install the new piece.
Let us know how it shoots.

Happy outcome!