slide won't lock on empty mag

[michiganfan]

The slide on my Witness 10mm has stopped locking back when the mag empties. Can all you experts tell me the possible causes for such a problem? As always your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[9x19]

May be due to weak magazine spring or a worn mag follower.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Weak magazine spring or bent/damaged magazine are possibles.


Edit: 9x19 types faster than I do.

 

[michiganfan]

both mags are new and were working fine yesterday. tried to lock it up with both mags today and it wouldn't work with either mag

 

[Airwolf]

Did you dissemble them, clean and lube before the first outing? If not I'd start with that as step 1 of troubleshooting.

 

[railroader]

Take your slide off and put your slide stop back in the frame. Now insert an empty mag and you should be able to see if the follower lifts the slide stop lever up properly. You can also try pushing the follower down with your finger and release slowly to make sure the follower comes all the way back up to push the stop up. Mark

 

[jonptoms]

Try this...
Put 1 round in mag.
Fire the gun with your left hand, elbow and wrist locked, body turned sideways. Turn and repeat with right hand.
Now turn gun sideways (gangsta style) and repeat.

If it locked back it's your grip not the gun. 99% of the time it's the shooter's grip.

Especially if it locks back when you rack it by hand - check that - shoot it empty and then when it doesn't lock back, without moving your right hand, rack the slide back all the way with your left. If it locks back, your follower is not bypassing your slide stop, so it is either your grip or the spring is too strong (but springs tend to get weaker with use not stronger...)

This happens to folks all the time.

 

[caz223]

My CZ75 of similar design had that problem until I replaced the mag springs with +10% springs from wolff.

 

[michiganfan]

update slide problem solved. Mags were crimped to tight and would not let the follower go up high enough. EAA said to put the mags in a vice front to back and give it a gentle but fim turn on the vise. Opened up the top of the mag a little and I was in business.