problem with 1911

[thegoodfight]

I've got a new 1911, a les baer to be exact...

I was messing around with it today, admiring it's beauty etc. I locked the slide back with a mag in, then released the magazine and let it fall into my hand...the slide went flying forward! I didn't touch anything...I tried it again several times and it didn't happen. Any idea what could have caused this or what it is?

 

[CountGlockula]

You didn't put it back together correctly.

 

[thegoodfight]

You didn't put it back together correctly.

I've never taken it apart since buying it new...

 

[gb6491]

If everything is fitted correctly (and the surfaces are matting correctly on the slide/slide stop and slide stop/frame) it sounds like the slide stop didn't fully engage the slide. This could of happened due to lack of lubrication and subsequent inadequate movement of the slide stop, the slide not traveling back far enough, not enough pressure or travel from the magazine follower, problem with the magazine, dirty notch in the slide, too much pressure from the plunger spring, operator error, etc, etc. You might give those areas a look. I would not be overly concerned about a one time occurrence.
Regards,
Greg

 

[1911 guy]

Ditto ^^

Especially being a one time occurence, I wouldn't sweat it. Maybe the planets were lined up just right.

 

[Dobe]

Same,
Sounds like a poor engagement. Don't worry about it, unless it happens again.

 

[mr.trooper]

Or you may have just bumped the slide release inadvertently. Its an easy thing to do on quite a few types of pistol

 

[Lookn4Brass]

Check something: see if there is a small indention on the part of the slide release where the little spring-loaded plunger touches it(right in front of the top of the left grip. You may not be able to see it if you don't field strip the gun and look at that end of it.) If there is not any kind of indention that has been carefully ground and then polished into that spot on the slide release, get it done soon - either back at Les Baer's place or by a local competent gunsmith who is really good with 1911 guns. If I was at your house right now, I'd do it for you, but that's probably not going to happen! Anyway, please check this. It's important. It will keep some problems like this from happening, and will also keep the slide from locking open after firing a "hot" load too. Good luck, and be sure to shoot that thing alot!