Metro Arms 1911: Will it ever work?

[Dr_B]

I have one of the Metro Arms 1911's made in the Philippines. When I first got the thing, it wouldn't feed properly. It was sent back for repairs, which included a new barrel, polished feed ramp, and a new mag release. When I got the pistol back, it worked fine for the first 100 rounds. Just after that point, the ACT magazine that came with it fell apart while the gun was being fired. It dropped 7 rounds, the spring, base plate, and follower on my feet. The base plate was plastic and just couldn't take the stress. All this, and the slide kept locking back. So I bought a metal Chip McCormick 8-round magazine. I took it out to the range today and the slide still kept locking back.

At this point, I am thinking of just selling the thing and getting whatever I can for it. Maybe someone knows what to tweak to make it work properly. But is there anything I can adjust, file down, tighten, etc to solve the slide lock problem?

 

[sabre2]

Try a new slide stop.

 

[J2FLAN]

Are you real sure your thumb is not "pushing" the slide stop up on recoil, try shooting strong hand only. It is hard to do with a 1911 but can happen.
From what I have read in the fourms, those guns are kin to the ROCK ISLAND, and not a bad 1911 for the $

 

[Dr_B]

J2FLAN,

I'm not sure. That may be happening. I've not paid attention to whether it happens when I shoot with both hands vs. only one hand. But now that I think about it, this also happens with my Sig P238, which also has a 1911 style slide stop. With that gun, I am almost certain the thumb on my right hand is hitting the slide stop. I have large hands and cannot get my fingers out of the way of things on that little gun.

 

[Dr_B]

Update:
Went to the range today. My grip was the problem. I'm used to shooting my Sig with both thumbs pointed down range just below the slide. But with the 1911, one thumb needs to stay on top of the safety lever. If that is done, then there is nothing hitting the slide stop when the gun recoils. The gun works perfectly as long as I grip it properly.

 

[Hacker15E]

But with the 1911, one thumb needs to stay on top of the safety lever

?

I have never had my thumb "on top of the safety lever" in years of shooting 1911s...and never had a problem.

 

[Dr_B]

When I grip the gun, I bring down the safety with my right thumb and leave it there. My left thumb is on the frame just in front of the slide stop. With both thumbs pointing down range, one on top of the safety, there is a little hollow area where the slide stop is unobstructed.

Maybe it was designed to be held that way, maybe it wasn't. However, what I am sure of is my hands are too big to grip it with both thumbs under the safety and still avoid hitting the slide stop.

Yours are both under the safety and you don't hit the slide stop?

 

[Olympus]

I have a Metro Arms 1911 and I had the same problems. Throw the ACT mags in the trash every time you see them. Stick with some more reputable mags.

My Metro had feed problems as well. I sent it back to Reynerson's (warranty center in Louisiana). They have a lot of experience working on the American Classic 1911s. They had to do a lot of work to get mine working, but when I got the gun back it worked perfectly. Not sure what warranty center you used, but I would recommend Reynerson's.

You can also take your problem to the Bersa Chat Forum. There is a Metro Arms rep that frequents there a lot. He posts a lot about Metro Arms doing whatever it takes to make a customer happy, but I have no idea if it's true or just lip service. I do know that they don't take kindly to people with negative things to say about the American Classic 1911s, so guard your words. I hope you can get it working for you. There are a lot of people that have also experienced your problem.

 

[Sky]

Sorry to hear you had or are having problems. I purchased several mags when I first got mine and honestly have not had any problems. Started to polish my feed ramps once ( just because ) but mine looked and felt fine.

Someone else once posted that there seems to be two different AClls, Maybe it is a day of the week thing when it was manufactured?

I was at the range one day shooting with a friend and his slide kept locking back with his RIA 1911. His thumb was hitting the slide lock and he was not even aware he was doing it; easy to do depending on your grip and size of your hands.

 

[Dr_B]

Mine went back for repairs to some place in Arizona. The LGS owner got it from some source in Louisiana. He bought two. Both have passed through my hands and both needed something fixed on them.

Anyway, to make this story short, mine received a new barrel, new mag catch, polished ramp, and some other smaller adjustments I cannot recall. Oh, and the new magazine I bought recently.

Aside from my grip problems, the gun seems to work fine now. I just need to keep my fingers off the slide stop!

 

[chains1240]

Glad to hear things are working out for you. I recently bought a AC Commander. I absolutely love the gun. Just need to find more magazines since it only came with one.

 

[Fishslayer]

Just after that point, the ACT magazine that came with it fell apart while the gun was being fired. It dropped 7 rounds, the spring, base plate, and follower on my feet.

Been there, done that with my RIA. Don't mention it on 1911 forums tho...

 

[MICHAEL T]

Aside from my grip problems, the gun seems to work fine now. I just need to keep my fingers off the slide stop!

Tell you AC your sorry. That it was you not the pistol. .

At present time at Bersachat I am recommending Reynerson's as the Warranty center for the AC . They have been doing a excellent job and fast turn around. I was on the phone with the earlier today. Trying to convince them to be come a little more involved on the internet.and Bersachat. If your AC or Bersa is a problem we will help you all we can to resolve it. http://bersachat.comThe importer has people that are members for this reason.
By way over next couple days we are upgrading Bersacat. so might find us off line sometimes for a bit.

 

[empty hull]

I have two AC 1911's now. Reynerson's are great people and Nick is tops with any 1911. I shot a squib and Eagle sent me a new barrel and bushing for free. Michaels advice is well taken. Tim