Springfield slide release problems?

[Justin]

I've got a Springfield 1911 with an odd problem: The slide won't stay locked open.

For whatever reason, when the pistol is unloaded (chamber empty, magazine out, slide locked back) the slide will stay open for a short time, before suddenly slamming shut.

I've tried dropping another slide release in (a stainless one) and that fixed the problem.

I know that Kimber has had some problems with parts such as safties being made of metal that is too soft, but has anyone heard anything similar from Springfield?

 

[RWK]

I have not heard of this problem, or of MIM parts in Springfield 1911A1s. However, given their lifetime warrantee, I’ll bet a new slide stop will be provided if you call customer service (800-680-6866).

 

[Justin]

Did just that. Will see if the new slide release takes care of the problem.

 

[cratz2]

Hrmm... we'll I have somewhat of a circle of Springfield junkies around here and I've not seen anything other than occasional failures... Oftentimes, assuming the slide stop is properly functional, either the magazine follower or a weak magazine spring are too blame.

What kind of magazines are you using? The supplied Metalforms? You have anything like either a Wilson or a PowerMag? And are we talking at the end of each magazine it would fail or was it less than 75% of the time?

Either way, if a slide stop replacement corrected it, it makes it look bad for the slide stop itself. As mentioned though, the lifetime warranty should come in handy here. They might not just send out a replacement stop though... The may want you to send in the gun. If they do, complain of the shipping charges you will incur and they'll probably help offset the costs by providing two new mags. The only part they ever shipped out to me was a 9mm magazine.

 

[Justin]

cratz- The magazines don't have anything to do with the problem. Here's the sequence for what happens:

Range called cold
Remove magazine
Check Chamber
Pull slide back and lock it open.
Set pistol down


SLAM! Slide jacks forward all on its own.

 

[Texasbagman]

I would guess that the engagement surface on your slide stop is not cut properly. It is probably at an angle to the notch in the slide, allowing it to slip out of the notch slowly.

 

[1911Tuner]

Lock Woes

The bagman deep in the heart of Texas probably just nailed it.

The engagement surfaces should be square to each other. If either
is worn at an angle, the slide can slip off the stop.

Make sure that the lock is fully engaged in the notch. Once in a while, you'll
run into a partial engagement, and if the rear corner of the stop is slighty
bebeled or rounded...wham. Most often noticed during a fast magazine change.

Luck to ya!

Tuner

 

[Justin]

If it turns out that the notch is cut improperly what are my options?

 

[gbelleh]

I have a SA Micro Compact that had a somewhat similar problem...the slide would often lock open before the magazine was empty (it also needed the sights adjusted). I sent it back to SA (they paid shipping both ways and got it back to me in about 4 weeks).

They cut the notch in the slide release deeper and put a higher rear sight in. Now it works perfectly and the sights are right on.

I would send it in and have them fix it. I was very pleased with their customer service. They also sent me a free extra recoil spring.