question about inserting magazines in Colt 1911 XSE?
- Thread starter drf
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1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Tough Mag Lock-in
Howdy drf,
Nope...It's not normal. Sounds like maybe a mag that's a little out of spec,
or a sharp edge on the mag catch shelf. Does it happen with all your magazines or just one? Look on the front of the magazine where the little rectangular window is. Is there a burr or a deep scratch that lines up with that window? Also...Sometimes the window..which is what the catch locks into...is located a little too far down on the magazine, and it forces you to
push the magazine farther up into the well in order to seat it. If that's it,
the magazine can be salvaged.
Standin' by...
Tuner
Howdy drf,
Nope...It's not normal. Sounds like maybe a mag that's a little out of spec,
or a sharp edge on the mag catch shelf. Does it happen with all your magazines or just one? Look on the front of the magazine where the little rectangular window is. Is there a burr or a deep scratch that lines up with that window? Also...Sometimes the window..which is what the catch locks into...is located a little too far down on the magazine, and it forces you to
push the magazine farther up into the well in order to seat it. If that's it,
the magazine can be salvaged.
Standin' by...
Tuner
1911 Tuner, this happens on all of my magazines.
There are no marks on the magazines... This is a new in box Colt XSE Government model..
I can push the magazine in 3/4 of the way and then it stops!
I have to push in the mag release button to insert the magazine fully...
I used a flash light to look down into the the bottom of the grip well and I can see were the magazine catch is protruding out causing the magazine not to fully seat...
Do you have any suggestions??Thank You! drf
There are no marks on the magazines... This is a new in box Colt XSE Government model..
I can push the magazine in 3/4 of the way and then it stops!
I have to push in the mag release button to insert the magazine fully...
I used a flash light to look down into the the bottom of the grip well and I can see were the magazine catch is protruding out causing the magazine not to fully seat...
Do you have any suggestions??Thank You! drf
They typically go in so far and then require a little extra bump to go in the rest of the way. If you look at a well used magazine, they have a bright mark between the top of the magazine and the magazine release slot. Yours sounds normal. Did you try pushing it past the resistance?
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Stuck
drf said:
I can push the magazine in 3/4 of the way and then it stops!
I have to push in the mag release button to insert the magazine fully...
If I try and push it past the resistance I will break something.
_______________________
Howdy drf,
Not likely that you'll break anything. Bump the bottom of the magazine
a little to see if it'll go past the point of resistance. It should. Sometimes the catch shelf is a little long or has a sharp edge on it...Could be the
hole location is a little too far forward.
Push the mag in until it hits resistance. Push the catch buttom part-way in
and slip the mag just a little past it, but not all the way in. Release the button and push the mag in until it locks. Take it back out and see if there's a deep scratch.
If there is:
Get the mag catch out and look at the catch shelf. It'll be flat on the top and angled on the bottom. LIGHTLY scrape the edge with the tip of a penknife to break and sharp edges. Follow the radius. Use a piece of 600-grit paper on your fingertip to polish it a little, and also polish the angle on the bottom side. Don't get carried away. All you want to do is smooth it a bit.
If it doesn't help, report back and we'll try somethin' else.
Luck!
drf said:
I can push the magazine in 3/4 of the way and then it stops!
I have to push in the mag release button to insert the magazine fully...
If I try and push it past the resistance I will break something.
_______________________
Howdy drf,
Not likely that you'll break anything. Bump the bottom of the magazine
a little to see if it'll go past the point of resistance. It should. Sometimes the catch shelf is a little long or has a sharp edge on it...Could be the
hole location is a little too far forward.
Push the mag in until it hits resistance. Push the catch buttom part-way in
and slip the mag just a little past it, but not all the way in. Release the button and push the mag in until it locks. Take it back out and see if there's a deep scratch.
If there is:
Get the mag catch out and look at the catch shelf. It'll be flat on the top and angled on the bottom. LIGHTLY scrape the edge with the tip of a penknife to break and sharp edges. Follow the radius. Use a piece of 600-grit paper on your fingertip to polish it a little, and also polish the angle on the bottom side. Don't get carried away. All you want to do is smooth it a bit.
If it doesn't help, report back and we'll try somethin' else.
Luck!
1911 Tuner, I did what you suggested and there is no deep scratches in the magazine. I did manage to get the magazine fully inserted without using the mag release and it is getting easier every time, however when I insert a fully loaded 8 rds in the mag and then try and release the mag it is hard to push in the release button. (I can do it, its just hard)
Do you believe I should still do as you suggested or just try and wear it in a little and it may get better with time?
Your information is very appreciated....drf
Do you believe I should still do as you suggested or just try and wear it in a little and it may get better with time?
Your information is very appreciated....drf
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Easier
Do you believe I should still do as you suggested or just try and wear it in a little and it may get better with time?
Yep...It will. Take the catch out and put a drop of oil
on the lock and spring. That'll help too.
It's usually somethin' simple...
Do you believe I should still do as you suggested or just try and wear it in a little and it may get better with time?
Yep...It will. Take the catch out and put a drop of oil
on the lock and spring. That'll help too.
It's usually somethin' simple...
I file a SMALL bevel on the magazine body where it contacts the magazine release. It makes it easier for the magazine to cam the latch inward when the magazine is inserted. A little goes a long way and it usually helps.
When you latch a fully loaded 8-round magazine the spring is compressed and the top round is pressing on, and is pushed down by the slide. This creates a minor bind between the latch and the magazine because of the spring's pressure. A 7-round magazine may not give you as much trouble.
I have a feeling John Browning made his magazines that way (7 rounds) for a reason ...
When you latch a fully loaded 8-round magazine the spring is compressed and the top round is pressing on, and is pushed down by the slide. This creates a minor bind between the latch and the magazine because of the spring's pressure. A 7-round magazine may not give you as much trouble.
I have a feeling John Browning made his magazines that way (7 rounds) for a reason ...
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Seven come Eleven
Fuff said:
I have a feeling John Browning made his magazines that way (7 rounds) for a reason ...
________________
What???
NO! Surely not!
Carryyyyy me back...to old Nogales...
Where the Ah-Gav-Ay cactus grows wiiiiiild.
Fuff said:
I have a feeling John Browning made his magazines that way (7 rounds) for a reason ...
________________
What???
NO! Surely not! Carryyyyy me back...to old Nogales...
Where the Ah-Gav-Ay cactus grows wiiiiiild.
In order to remove the catch, I have to use a very small flathead screwdriver. I'm afraid I will damage the screw.
Do you have any suggestions on what type of screwdriver to use?
What is the difference anyway between a regular screwdriver and other tools advertised for guns only? Thanks!drf
Do you have any suggestions on what type of screwdriver to use?
What is the difference anyway between a regular screwdriver and other tools advertised for guns only? Thanks!drf
CAUTION: That is not a screw. It is a lock that looks like a screwhead. You have to depress the mag button ~ halfway and turn the screw 1/4 turn. That will allow the lock to turn into the mag release button and allow the button to come out.
It sounds like your gun is working properly. I wouldn't mess with it. YMMV
It sounds like your gun is working properly. I wouldn't mess with it. YMMV
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Screwed
BigG nailed it...That ain't a screw.
To remove the catch, push it in like he said while exerting very light pressure in a counter-clockwise direction. When it hits the spot, it'll turn easily. When it stops turnin', push the button in farther and it'll slide right out the right side of the frame.
Sometimes the sweet spot is a little tough to find. Slowly work the button in and out while ya keep pressure on the screw head. To reinstall, just find the spot again, and turn lightly in a clockwise direction. The catch will seat with a "snap."
All ya wanna do is feel for a rough or sharp edge and dress if a little. It's also possible that the catch spring is a little stiff, and it's just hard to seat the mag. Go ahead and force it past the tight place a few times and it'll loosen up.
Luck!
Tuner
BigG nailed it...That ain't a screw.
To remove the catch, push it in like he said while exerting very light pressure in a counter-clockwise direction. When it hits the spot, it'll turn easily. When it stops turnin', push the button in farther and it'll slide right out the right side of the frame.
Sometimes the sweet spot is a little tough to find. Slowly work the button in and out while ya keep pressure on the screw head. To reinstall, just find the spot again, and turn lightly in a clockwise direction. The catch will seat with a "snap."
All ya wanna do is feel for a rough or sharp edge and dress if a little. It's also possible that the catch spring is a little stiff, and it's just hard to seat the mag. Go ahead and force it past the tight place a few times and it'll loosen up.
Luck!
Tuner
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