Any 1911 Experts?

[Grudgie]

My 1911 slide stop is bent slightly away from the reciever so the mag catch misses the follower and doesn't lock the slide open.

I believe this is a common 1911 wear and tear issue. Is this due to the slide stop wearing down or the slide stop hole in the slide itself? I guess my question is will replacing the slide stop fix the problem?

[DMCakhunter]

I have never seen that and I have put a lot of rounds thru a bunch of 1911's.
Have you shot some Hot or +p ammo? Or maybe you spring is weak or you need a stronger spring.

[JohnyMac]

Like DM wrote, I have never seen that other than some hot loads that were not matched up to the spring (poundage).
Grudgie, did you fire some smoken rounds through her? Some that someone may have rolled for you?
 

[Grudgie]

It is used so I can't speak for any previous owners. I've only ever shot Tula and Winchester white box through it. I'll try and get some pics of it in detail then I'll ask on the 1911 forums and report back here if the problem gets resolved.

Honestly if there was some way I could add a little bit of length to the mag catch area (super glue?) it wouldn't be a problem but I don't want to bubba fix it.

[JohnyMac]

Great idea Grudgie. I would love to hear what they have to write.

[thatGuy]

You had me at bubba... You know how to silver solder??

[DMCakhunter]

I would not cobble it up. A new slide stop ranges from $29-$55 at Brownells. You may be able to find a quality part cheaper elsewhere.

[Grudgie]

Thanks for the tip Thanguy. I don't own a torch so it would probably be best if I invest the money in a new slide stop if that will fix it. Preferably one with an extended thumb release.

The slide stop isn't literally bent, but the fitting in the hole is a little loose. It is a little more tighter when the 1911 is assembled.

[gapatriot]

Grudgie I thought you were an expert on everything

[Grudgie]

Still not as good as you.

Are you still sore over me telling you to get over yourself? I thought we had moved past that. What was it you said? Something along the lines of you weren't going to tell The forum how you reloaded berdan primed cases because we weren't worthy enough to know?

[Burt Gummer]

 

(Always wanted to use that)

[1000meterstare]

Not a fan of the 1911.  The .45 ACP cartridge is what has made it what it is today.  Get a Sig P220.  I torture tested mine in -20 Farenheit.  (I live in North Dakota).

[thatGuy]

That's a really bad photo... The slide looks like a dog chewed on it, tell me it doesn't really look like that.

If I was you Grudgie I would dissemble and clean the effected area and inspect, paying close attention to the notch in the slide. If its a matter of a worn catch then you've got an easy answer but if that notch is worn out you're gonna have to sell me that pistol for pennies on the dollar

[Fuzzy]

I agree.
Replace the slide stop and get a new spring plus and extra 1 or 2 pounds heaver. Start with the heaver spring after replacing the stop lever and reduce the poundage of the spring until it functions properly.

Some one on the 1911 forum will tell you what the spring length should be, if it is shorter get a new one.

Get back to us on it.

[Grudgie]

I read about a company that makes 1911 slide stops thicker than standard specs so I bought one of those. It dropped right in and fits more tighter, but there is still a slight ammount of wobble in and out. I do not know if a proper 1911 is supposed to have ZERO wobble, but it now locks back most of my magazines. The quality ones anyway.

Aslo, I replaced the slide spring with a standard 16 pound (as the good John M. Browning intended) and found that the old spring had been worn down to maby an 8-10 pound spring! That pounding might explain why the slide stop is so beat up.

[thatGuy]

a 1911 should rattle like a junk wagon..

[RS762]

I fixed my 1911 problems by getting a CZ-97b