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Springfield 1911 question ?

2986 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Metalhead
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.
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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:
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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:
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:
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