NEED HELP WITH A 1911 ASSEMBLY PROBLEM

[johnny blaze]

I recently purchased a Michigan Armament 1911. It has standard 1911 parts mostly.
I took it apart to clean it and now I cannot get the parts back together.
I put the slide and everything back together, but I cannot get the slide lock mechinism back in.
I know that the insides are centered correctly, becuase I can turn the mechinism and the pin will go in all the way.
When I put the mechinism back up and try to slide it into the slot where it belongs, it will not go in all the way. It is still sticking out about 1/8 inch from where it belongs.
It snaps in that far, but will not go into the hole that is cut out on the frame correctly.
Is there a trick to getting this in the hole. I have been working with it and have tried about 10 times to snap it all the way in, but it will not go. I have tried pushing it in several ways.:banghead:
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ditchtiger]

try pushing up and in at the same time on the rear of the slide lock

 

[johnny blaze]

Ditchtiger,
Just tried it 3 more times, and it finally popped in all the way. I was pushing fairly hard before, but it would not go.
I sure hope that when I decide to do some mods, it is not as rough a time as I have had tonight.
I have alot to learn on these 1911's as far as working on them.
Thank you for the information.

 

[jrfoxx]

For some odd reason, that is the same part I tend to have trouble with in my 1911's also.Usually requires a little wiggling, mild cursing, and patience every time, but always goes in in the end.At least I feel better now knowing I'm not the only one who has trouble getting a round peg to fit into a round hole (one would think it would be easy as pie...)

 

[tegemu]

A slight tap with the plastic handle of a screwdriver or plastic mallet, in an up and in direction, will pop it right in.

 

[1911 guy]

Credit card.

In addition to the rubber mallet, try depressing the spring in the plunger tube with a credit card or other small plastic item.

This works with all my pistols (so far): Move the slide stop almost into position, just SLIGHTLY below the cutout in the slide. Push up and in at the same time. Seems to get the plunger spring out of the way. Just be sure to get very close to final position before starting to push it it. Avoid the "idiot mark" if at all possible.