Need some more 1911 help.
 

I can't post this on our local AZ gun BBS because I got this gun from a guy there and don't want him to think I'm accusing him of hiding an issue (yet). It's a very sweet loaded Springfield Champion. It was part of a trade and came with three Chip McCormick 8 round mags. I can't believe I didn't notice this while were doing the deal in a strip mall parking lot. But none of his or my mags make the slide stay open without my pushing up on the slide catch. I just put 100 rounds through her today and the slide usually, but not always, stayed open after the last round was gone. But it won't stay open with I rack it back with an empty mag. What the hell causes this? The slide catch is not worn or rounded off and it takes plenty of force to release it, so I'm sure that area is fine. Will try to post some photos later when I clean her up.

trading spoons in a strip mall parking lot? was it at midnight?

Parking lots are where I do a lot of my gun deals. Totally legal and customary in AZ. I traded an AR-15 and no one batted an eye at the other guy looking it over and aiming it in broad daylight.

Anyway, I think I found there problem. Here's the slide catch.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290298739.jpg

Looks like there's a dimple on the inside of it, which is hanging up the spring action. I compared it to the slide catch on my other Springfield 1911, which did not have this dimple. I don't how it got there, as this gun is definitely not used enough to have developed this dimple from wear and it seems like there's no point in machining it there.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290298830.jpg

It could be mags, but not likely. Check the slide lock... ok see you've done that. Compare w/ some other, see if the dimple is on the other or not.

Call springfield, they have a lifetime warranty and will fix it.

Can't see the picture that well on my phone, but that dimple may catch the plunger enough to prevent it rising on mag spring pressure. If that's the case, a new one will fix it. Or put some solder in it and smooth it with a file.

Send the picture to SA and see if they'll send you a new one.

Yes, plunger is the word I was looking for. I wanted a checkered slide stop anyway, so I ordered one. But I'll call Springfield up and ask about another replacement. I just can't see how this dimple was made. The gun looks new. It must take a ton of shooting to produce that dimple.

Or a bad casting with an air pocket in the right spot. Or does it look like the PO drilled it in there?

Could be a casting air pocket. Why would anyone drill there? I'm wondering how I didn't notice this when we were doing the show and tell in the parking lot. The plunger spring seems super tight. My other Springfield's slide stop worked in the Champion perfectly.

Rick. bring it next time you are in Vegas ... I will fix it for you.

I'll be there for SHOT in January and might come next week for Turkey Day. But I think I have this problem licked. Just gotta wait for the part to arrive.

Let me know if you come for Turkey day, some 'festivities' are in the making --> Vegasshooters 7th annual Turkey shoot November 27th 2010

You don't want to miss this one.

that dimple is put there so the slide stop doesn't come out of its hole. It could be your plunger spring is a bit too hearty. While the slide stop is out, can you depress the corresponding plunger? Maybe there's some grit in there preventing the plunger from moving back and forth freely? Maybe blast it w/ some penetrating oil to clear it out?

1911
 

Your magazine springs are shot and are not strong enough to push the slide stop upwards. Order a set of Wolff springs from Brownells and you won't have any other issues.

No, my mags are fine and work with my other 1911's just fine. In fact, I'm pretty sure the three Chip McCormick mags I got with the gun are almost new. The problem is that dimple in the slide stop.

May just be an odd way to disable it. Most IDPA and IPSC shooters disable them on high-cap and sometimes single-stack guns.

Speaking of IDPA, while I have always loved 1911's, they are the most troublesome guns at IDPA events I go to. Very rarely does a Glock or XD hiccup, but many of the guys 1911's (whether plain Jane or the 2-3k variety) have issues which often blows a match for them with at least one effed up stage. I guess there is a reason the top guys at the nationals in CDP usually choose plastic guns.

I've only done one IDPA shoot, but one of the guys there had a very bad night because his 1911 race gun hiccuped several times. This Springer is by far the most money I've ever had into a handgun and that troubles me, since my SIG's all cost less than half as much and always perform flawlessly.

But Tim, the fact remains, that the 1911 is the only real gun! :D

Best,
Tom

IMHO race-guns can be very finnickey. The trick is to keep them loose enough to function reliably. It took me a little while to figure out how loose is loose enough. I can still outshoot many of the younger guys with the $2500 guns with my 20 year old comped, fixed-sight rattle-gun. It's usually not the gun's fault. :)

I so have no desire for a race gun. As much as I love 1911's, I still can't wrap my head around having $1100-$1200 into a single handgun, well, a shooter anyway. My cheapo (by comparison) SIG's will shoot rings around most 1911's.

They are works of art IMO and obviously are better suited for bullseye work compared to the heavy/long trigger pulls of the typical plastic defensive gun, but I am baffled why some of the guys who spend a decent chunk of change competing in IDPA continue to use something that gives them problems at big matches they have driven long distances to attend.

My wifes boss competes in CDP class with a fancy Kimber and will not switch to a Glock even though his son owns a couple in .45. He again had a problem during one stage of the IDPA nationals this year which cost him several positions. The three or four times I have shot at matches with him this summer he also had problems for at least one stage at every match. My son and I both have tried to get him to switch to the Glock, but he is stubborn about it. :)

(His son placed 7th at the IDPA nationals this year in the master class with this being only his second year competing in IDPA :eek: He may likely become a very well known shooter).

There can be only three reasons why your gun malfuctions the way it does. The dimple on the slide stop does not appear in the pictures to be deep enough to be the cause.

1) Slide stop does not extend far enough into the magazine well to engage the magazine follower. Solution: repair (build up slide stop magazine follower engagement surface with welding) or replace slide stop.

2) Magazine follower does not extend far enough to engage the slide stop protrusion enough to ensure operation. Solution: repair (bending) or replace magazine follower.

3) Slide hold open cut or notch on slide is malformed or has a burr. This will often happen due to sloppy disasemmbly and will hamper proper operation in life firering. Solution: using a very fine file or stone remove all burrs from slide stop notch.

While I agree with all 3 of the above, certainly if the detent gets hung up in that pit, there may not be enough spring pressure to overcome it.

Possible, but if it happens only in dry fire not live fire (as per OP), there cannot be a deep enough pit to affect it in my experience.

My money's on the pit, now that I've checked mine. :)
follower spring is at it's weakest and especially in dry fire, as there's not the 'normal amount of activity (slide crashing around, cartridge being ejected, etc.)
I'm sticking to it and will accept my fate if wrong.

NP. You may be correct.

We each travel this life alone with occasional communications from outside sources. So far, we all achieve our journey's end point of death regardless of our opinions or actions.

So we cannot be too different after all.:D

Rick
I found this thread in on of the 1911 forums that I frequent. You may find it relevant.

Slide Stops.....cast, mim, barstock and forged. Pics!!! - 1911Forum

Best,
Tom

The Les Baer checkered slide stop arrived in the mail today and cured the problem very well.

Jordi, I'm not sure which email address is good. I have two for you. Are you going to this? I had thought it was Thurs. But I might be able to make it on Sat. if you give me a ride from Vegas. I'd have to leave the car with the wife.