Troubleshoot This

[1911Tuner]

The Procedure

The Cap'n said:

All we did was drill the small hole through the firing pin stop above the firing pin hole and into the slide, then jerk the stop out and go to the larger bit for the large end of the plunger into the slide and spring. We then assembled it and filed the end flat, and it was a done deal. I would rather fit an aftermarket one in tight.
_______________________

Seems like an awful lotta trouble for somethin' that can be addressed with
a good spring or 10 minutes to fit an oversized stop. Tme is money!

Of course, the gravity problem on the stop can also be handled with a prick punch via the "Field Expedient Repair" method...Worked for years before there were any hard-fit stops available...

On another note...The stop ain't gotta be tight. A little friction fit will do,
as long as it won't drop under its own weight. If I can't push it in with my thumb, it's too dang tight.

Cheers!

Tuner

 

[Bill Z]

Jammer Six quote:

What does this sentence mean?

You'll have to forgive me, but I can't figure out what you mean.


The innards of the plunger tube contain the spring and two small plungers, Dave is referring to the rear plunger. I know some 'smiths that also us a set screw and swear by it, but it's just easier to fit a new 6.00 stop that prevents not only the stop from backing out/down, but also keeps the ejector from clocking. 20 years ago these oversize parts were harder to find and other cheaper methods were used.

Heck, I even know a world famous pistolsmith that puts a set screw into the end/side of the extractor to prevent clocking, what a pain in the ass that has to be. It's another problem that the FP stop will fix for 6.00, but won't be as 'cool' I guess.

 

[1911Tuner]

Stop The Clock!

Bill said:

It's another problem that the FP stop will fix for 6.00, but won't be as 'cool' I guess.


Yeah...Sayin' that your pistol has a custom-made, extractor
anti-clocking device just has more snob appeal than sayin'
it's got a press-fit firing pin stop, and damn the cost!

Gotta be cool!

Cheers!

Tuner

 

[Bill Z]

Hey now, wait a minute, I still call it that! I just do it on the cheap and tell everyone the real majic's on the inside.

 

[Jammer Six]

What is "clocking"?

And why is it that every time you guys answer one of my questions, I have two more?

What do you use the large end of the plunger FOR?

 

[1911Tuner]

Stop The Clock-2

Jammer asked:

What is "clocking"?

The term that describes the extractor's (usually) counter-clockwise
rotation in its bore. It generally happens when a round cams under the hook. The open end of the hook angles downward, and can often lets the case drop too low to effect a strong ejector smack, leading to erratic
ejection, but is most pronounced on the last round with a flatmagazine follower. When it falls completely out of the hook, it either pushes down on the follower, and doesn't let the slide lock...crushing the case between slide and barrel...or it lets the slide lock, and leaves the case lying loose in the port. This can occur even with good extractor tension. I've seen the glitch actually stuff the empty case back into the magazine, and the slide feeds the empty case back into the chamber and return to full battery. That sometimes leads a troubleshooter to think that it was a full failure to extract until examination of the case reveals mouth damage that proves that it was rechambered from the magazine.

Sometimes, it's hard to catch. The extractor will clock during the feed...screw up the extraction/ejection cycle, and clock back into position.

Most of the time, good extractor tension will prevent the occurrence, but not always. Finding a wider FP stop, or fitting an oversized stop will stop
it cold, but only if the extractor channel isn't mislocated. If the channel is bored too far to the right, the side of the stop can't get against the wall
of the extractor and clocking will occur no matter how tight the stop is fitted. In these cases, all that can be done is to build up the extractor
slot with good epoxy or JB Weld and refit it to the stop...or replace the slide. I've seen a few that were built up with solder.

Whew!

Tuner

 

[Jammer Six]

The term that describes the extractor's (usually) counter-clockwise
rotation in its bore. It generally happens when a round cams under the hook.

Sounds like a GHOULISH nightmare!

This is one of those where I'd break the weapon down, find nothing wrong, clean everything, put it back together, fire one round, malfunction, and break it down again... :banghead:

Dave, are you doing another class online?

 

[1911Tuner]

Real Magic

Bill said:

Hey now, wait a minute, I still call it that! I just do it on the cheap and tell everyone the real majic's on the inside.

Well...just tell'em that it's a TACTICAL extractor anti-clocking
device, and charge'em an extra 25 bucks for it.

 

[Old Fuff]

I came in late as usual ...

But I am shocked ... shocked I tell you, because I was led to believe that these new Colt's with the firing pin safety gizmo had specially fitted (and numbered) firing pin stops.

Just can't trust anybody anymore ...

And yes Tuner. I use oversized stops too, and on occasion I've made my own. This is a simple solution that also prevents the extractor from cocking. The other part of the solution is to use a heavy-duty spring.

Ah .... The trouble some folks go to ...

 

[Dave Sample]

We did some things to 1911's in the days of yesteryear that were labor intensive and would not make much sense now, but they did back then. The plunger used in the firing pin stop modification was the front plunger that rode up against the slide stop and has a small tip and a larger diameter end so we could do this. Oversize parts were not available 20-25 years ago and that small plunger installation was easier than making one oversized firing pin stop. Bill would also install an E-Ring on the outside end of the slide stop so that it could not come out in a fire fight and cause a malfunction that could be fatal. Building guns for the bank guards in Hong Kong and Mercs all over the world was a different business than the toy guns we do today. These were serious fighting handguns and had to pull the long haul. That is why Bill called them "Jawbones" used to smite the enemy where ever needed. I carried one when I was a deputy sheriff and never felt insecure even though he told me it wasn't a "Keeper". There is a picture of Barney and a room full of dead commies hanging on the wall of his shop so that we would not forget what we were doing and who we were doing it for. He carried one under each armpit so he could just grab another gun instead of trying to reload one in a firefight. He is still alive and I built him a gun about three years ago just for old times sake. It was a honey and Dean got to shoot it when we test fired it. A "One Holer".

 

[1911Tuner]

25 Years Ago

Dave said:

We did some things to 1911's in the days of yesteryear that were labor intensive and would not make much sense now.

Yep...Well, we just used a prick punch and a hammer and kicked up a burr
on the edges of the stops...stoned'em to fit, and let'er rip. Took about 5 minutes, and stops were...what...35 cents a copy?

 

[Dave Sample]

Barney's Blaster in Living Color!