Sprfld 1911

[zhd]

Just got a used Springfield 1911 45 ACP. Any ideas why the slide is not locking out when my magazine is emptied? It would lock in the open positon when the first time I fired the gun (yes mag in gun). I broke the gun down and cleaned and oiled it. The next time at the range the slide would not lock out. I use the Power 10 Mags. Since then I have one mag that will lock out sometimes when empty and the 2nd mag will not lock out when empty. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just joined this forum today. Have checked in for advice over the years from time to time but decided today to jump in. Thanks guys.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Try a traditional 7 round style magazine with original design followers and a strong spring if you can find some, or borrow from someone. Are these new magazines or used as well? They may need new springs. Magazine springs are a disposable maintenance item, especially in the higher capacity mags which tend to have weaker springs to begin with.

 

[zhd]

Yes these are brand new 10 rd mags. The have the original design follower split tougne type. I will try the original 7 rd mag tonight. Any ideas on what direction to head in if that doesnt work? Thanks.

 

[Baba Louie]

Assuming slide stop is original and not a replacement, the (mag) springs are the thing about 98% of the time.

No buffer as well, right? Sometimes those make things all agly as well.

Spend a few hours on the "gunsmithing and repairs" forum here (a few notches down from Autoloaders) reading up on 1911 issues. Anything written by 1911Tuner (and others), great learning lessons to be soaked up and learnt.

 

[zhd]

Correct original stop and no buffer. These are brand new mags is what has be baffled, I guess it could be weak mag springs. I will check out the threads you point me to, thanks.

 

[Baba Louie]

Wolff makes some XP mag springs, might be worth a look. They also sell their own magazines.

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto Pistols/COLT/1911 GOV'T PISTOL/cID1/mID1/dID1#805

 

[ugaarguy]

Zhd, the McCormick Power Mag followers aren't the original GI style 1911 mag follower design. I think what TR was suggesting was that you try a GI style mag with GI style follower. Hope that helps a little.

 

[918v]

Get some factory Colt or Metalform mags with the steel followers. Make sure the slide stop engages the mag follower correctly. Make sure the slide stop clears the notch in the slide when the slide is retracted all the way back.

 

[1911Tuner]

Will it lock if you hand-cycle it?

If it wont...

Remove the slidestop and make sure that the portion of the lug that catches the follower shelf hasn't broken off. It doesn't take much.

 

[zhd]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I beleive 1911Tuner hit the nail on the head. On my slide stop you can see that the very edge looks to be nicked off. That would be the reason I guess it was catching only sometimes when I would hand cycle it. Any preferences on replacement slide stops?

Also I noticed when I broke the gun down, I took it completely apart, the ambedextrious thumb safety I took off. On the left side of the gun, its like a pin inside of a pin sized shaft that engages and disengages the safety and the slide stop. Mine was coming away from the gun. I know this part may be hard to understand, its hard to describe it without pictures. Anybody know what I'm talking about?

 

[Baba Louie]

Left side... Plunger tube assembly more than likely. It happens.
Springfield has excellent customer serrvice. Call them. Get ALL things fixed by them.

If you want a good lesson on 1911s buy Kuhnhausens books on the 1911. Here's one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/19...shop-manual-volume-1-book-by-jerry-kuhnhausen

 

[AirForceShooter]

Call Springer and ask for a new slide stop.
Springer has fantastic customer service.

If they ask you to send in the whole gun, DO IT.
You'll get it back completely rebuilt.

AFS

 

[1911Tuner]

Call Springfield, and you'll get another one just like the one that broke. On the plus side...it'll probably be free.

I've been completely satisfied with Brown Hardcore and EGW's slidestops. Both are castings, but I've never lost one or had one fail to function.

 

[Jim Watson]

On the left side of the gun, its like a pin inside of a pin sized shaft that engages and disengages the safety and the slide stop.

That is the plunger tube. Correct nomenclature helps clarify discussions. Kind of like Clip vs Magazine.

It is unfortunately common for them to come loose on guns not checked by government inspectors like the real 1911s were.
I am blessed with a local guy who knows his way around the gun. I'd rather pay him to FIX something like this than to pay FedUrps and wait for the company warranty clerk to get around to it. And maybe do it right... or not.

Also have him check the fit of a name brand aftermarket slide stop. They are not all drop-in fits.

 

[zhd]

Great info guys, thanks so much. I plan on contacting Springfield and seeing what direction they want me to go as far as the replacemnt slide stop and plunger tube.