[Nighthawk]

I could not resist buying a springfield 1911a1 my dealer had on sale. It is the loaded model and a very nice gun. But I have one problem,if the slide is open and you insert a loaded mag and release the slide release to chamber a round it takes a six o clock nose dive into the bottom of the throat. It does so with so much force it will shove the bullet back into the casing and ruin it.I reload my ammo but in this case I have used numerous brands of factory ammo,and wasted close to a$100.00 bucks Im sure.When you shoot the gun it functions flawless.You just have to pull the slide all the way back and release it to chamber a round. I called Springfield and they told me to use the seven round mags instead of the eight round ones I bought from Springfield at a huge discount.I did so but it made no difference,I even used some Wilson mags I have and it still would not chamber a round by releasing the slide release button,you still had to pull the slide all the way back and release it to chamber a round.I even tried ball ammo with the same results. I called Springfield again and they tol me to shoot a couple hundred more rounds through it.Which I have not done yet.But since the gun shoots well and dot malfunction should I just be happy pulling the slide all the way back or what should I expect? Thanks for any information in advance.

 

[Holiday]

Rugster, I don't have an exact answer to your problem, but I have a couple of suggestions. I had a Marlin Camp .45 that used 1911 magazines that did something similar. I noticed that the bolt was sliding past the rim of the cartridge and impacting the round forward of the extractor grove on the angled forward surface of the groove and sometimes on the top of the round itself. This caused the round to nose down in the magazine. Could your magazine release be holding your mags too low? This would let the slide skip over the rim, but wouldn't explain why firing the pistol didn't cause a similar malfunction unless the force of recoil was pressing the magazine upward. Another thing, is it possible that your slide lock isn't holding the slide far enough to the rear? If this was the case, the slide might skip over the rim when released, yet when the gun is fired the recoil would slam the slide all the way to the rear and allow proper functioning. I would try replaceing the mag release fist and then maybe the slide stop if that didn't work. None of this may work, but maybe it will help. Good luck, and good shooting! :2guns:

 

[Geno]

Kinda odd problem. Try firing a couple rounds and then eject the chambered round and examine it. If the cartridge is not deformed then I would say you just need to break in the gun. If the gun is new they typically need several hundred rounds to loosen things up before they become reliable. You did not say what load you were typically firing but short bullets with flat points will hang up the way you describe. Try FMJRN and see what happens.

Another possibility is that the recoil spring is weak. Install a Wolfe 22lb spring and see if that helps.

 

[Dv8Mutt]

I too have recently purchased a Springfield "Loaded" Mine is stainless with the Novak sights. I have yet to get it to the firing range, and I did purchase mine used ( less than 20 rnds used ) and the first thing I noticed was that my slide action is pretty tight , so I cleaned the gun. It still seems to have abit of a 'hang' when the slide gets back to the slide release lever. But after reading this thread, I will assume this will go away after a few hundred rounds . My next question however is about the slide release lever. I noticed when attempting re-assembly that I have to manually push the spring back into its guide to get the lever back in place. Is this normal? it seems I will eventually scratch the daylights out of my handgun. Is there a 'trick' to reassembly? Below is a picture of what it is I am trying to describe. Any answers will be greatly appreciated

 

[Geno]

If the stud is coming out about 1/8th of and inch that is where it should be. When you put the slide stop in after lining up the link on the barrel rest the end of the slide stop just below the cut out. Then with a upward and inward motion push the slide stop in, it should snap into the frame without scratching.

 

[Dv8Mutt]

Thanks Geno , Will give that a shot next time.

I got a chance to get my SA 1911 to the range today Only took the target out to 20 feet and went through 100 or so rounds. Some of them were loaded by a shooter at work , with 185gr Hollow points. These seemed to be prone to jamming, as it would not send the slide back far enough. Some spent shells would get caught, and the slide never caught when the clip was spent ( Chip McCormacks ) I also had a box of PMC 230gr Full Metal Jacket. No Problems with these at all. I was on target more with the PMC's over the Custom, actually hitting the X more than once, although I did have fair grouping ( for not having shot in almost 10 years. ) with the Customs. Both appeared to miss low and right. I am definately thinking about new sights as this model came with the Novaks, stock.
I do have another question, how tight should the barrel be in the bushing? It appears to have some play. How much is normal?
Also, The man at the range mentioned they are starting up a 'Pin Tournament' ( bowling pins ) Is there a special type ammo I should use for this?

Thanks for all the help

 

[JAD1225]

Just a suggestion, but in my opinion, you should never drop the slide using the slide release. You will wear it out! I recieved this tip from a gentleman who is older than dirt, and has been in charge of the range and law enforcement training at Olin/Winchester for many years. This guy knows more about 1911's (his particular love) than anyone I have ever met, and I respect his opinion/advice immensely. Always pull the slide back by hand and release to chamber a round! The other gentleman who is having trouble putting the slide stop back in without scratchin the frame; just take a small object and push the spring loaded plunger back in a little and slip the slide stop into place. Yeah, its a pain, but beats scratching your frame which is all too easy to do. A small knive blade tip, small screwdriver, pin punch, etc. will do nicely.

 

[Metaldoc]

Originally posted by JAD1225@Mar 7 2004, 09:27 AM
Just a suggestion, but in my opinion, you should never drop the slide using the slide release. You will wear it out! I recieved this tip from a gentleman who is older than dirt, and has been in charge of the range and law enforcement training at Olin/Winchester for many years. This guy knows more about 1911's (his particular love) than anyone I have ever met, and I respect his opinion/advice immensely. Always pull the slide back by hand and release to chamber a round!

This is good advice.

Just acquired a SA Mil-Spec 1911. The factory manual addresses this issue by stating that the slide should be pulled back and released smartly to load a round. Using the slide stop is kind of like slamming a revolver cylinder back into place.... it looks "cool" in the movies, but to those that love and understand guns, it is abusive treatment.

The manual also contained in large red print, a warning about letting the slide slam home on an empty chamber or on a single round loaded directly into the chamber. It will damage the hammer and sear engagement and also damage the extractor. If you want a single round, put it in a mag, chamber it by pulling back the slide and releasing it and then remove the mag. I have seen that info before in this forum but it bears repeating.

The tip on putting the slide catch back into place is a good one as that is a troublesome quirk for those new to the 1911's.

Thanks to everyone for all the tips and contributions.

Metaldoc :usa:

 

[Metaldoc]

Dv8mutt,

Would you let us know how the pin tournament works ?

I shoot at bowling pins on my own range and they make great targets. I shoot at them with .22 rimfires to .308's to .45 ACP. It is amazing how much punishment these pins will take. I get them from the local alley.

But I would like to know how they set up a competition shoot with them. And let us know how you do !

Good luck !

Metaldoc :usa:

 

[Metaldoc]

The April, 2004 issue of The American Rifleman magazine (the NRA's) has a very favorable review of the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911-A1.

The one thing that I noticed was they said they fed all types of ammo through it without any problems. So far I have shot only 230gr. ball. But after this report I am going to try some others, at least some hollow points.

Metaldoc :usa:

 

[Metalhead]

Nighthawk,
Not to worry my friend, been there done that with my SA loaded. I bought mine used (like new ,person probably fired a couple of mag's) and it did like yours. I use Chip McCormick shooting stars 8rnd. and 16lb. wolff recoil spring. My problems went away after break in ......note: my sights loosened up but locktite took care of that