Chris_C Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I have a new 1911 built in 40 S&W and am having problems getting the slide to lock back. Here are the symptoms: a) Using Wilson 47FX magazines the slide does not lock back, either in live fire or manually racking the slide. I have 8 of these brand new mags and it's the same for each. I have one Tripp 40 mag and it will lock back on this mag when manually racking the slide. I have not shot it in live fire yet. c) If I open the slide and insert an empty Wilson mag it does push up the slide stop as it should. d) Once I have a Wilson mag seated in the gun there seems to be a lot of resistance in moving the slide stop, or at least more than I would expect. I took the follower out of the mag and reseated it to check for metal to metal contact between the mag body and the slide stop. It's close, but I don't think this is the culprit. e) The plunger has worn a little track on the rear face of the slide stop. I am assuming this is normal, but it caught my eye. Any thoughts on what to check/change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 If the Tripp mag works in live fire, switch to them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
practical_man Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Based in your description, I would polish the plunger face and the aft end of the slide stop. If that doesn't work, check to see if it works without the plunger installed. If so, reduce tension on plunger-slide stop interface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juan Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I know its new but could the smith have filed the slide stop so it wont lock back ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhittin Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 With only the barrel installed (no slide) and the stop pin inserted, does the slide stop move freely into the slide lock position without the plunger? If no, stop pin is catching or binding. If with light pressure it moves into lock position with the plunger & spring installed that should be fine. I suspect the slide stop is just short enough it doesn't work with certain mags. Remove the slide (you can leave the barrel on) and you should be able to see if the mag followers are engaging the slide stop or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Take the spring out of the Tripp mag and try it in one of the WIlsons. IF that works, order some Wolf Extra power mag springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricardo28 Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 On 1911forum, I have read a few posts about wilson mags/ followers doing this. I would not worry about the plunger as it will wear the finish on the slide stop in that area. Id bet on the Wilson follower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaze1a Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 You should be able to see the stop lever and follower interaction with the slide locked back and also with the slide off and stop installed. Lock the slide back manually or remove the slide/install the stop lever and then slowly insert your mag and observe how the stop lever and follower/mag mesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Wilsons are GREAT mags. They have always fed well for me. The have always dropped free well for me. They have never locked the slide back well for me. You know what my next suggestion is gonna be..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_C Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 So, taking several of your suggestions I think it's the relationship between the slide stop and the Wilson follower. If the stars are aligned the Wilson follower will push up the stop that's in the gun, but it's also very easy for the follow to move to the side a touch and move past the nose of the slide stop. I have no idea which stop is in there, but I'd prefer to solve this by changing to a different slide stop with a wider nose. Any suggestions there? I see EGW sells their HD slide stop in two versions, one for 45 and one marked 9/40/38 Super. I have 8 of the Wilson's but only one Tripp, hence the desire to stick with the Wilson's. Also, the Tripp won't seat without pushing the slide stop, no matter how hard I push. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaze1a Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Some 9/38 stop levers protrudes deeper into the grip frame than a 45 stop. Does the stop lever contact the notch in the Wilson followers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Also, the Tripp won't seat without pushing the slide stop, no matter how hard I push. What do you mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_C Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 That's what I get for typing while my son is wanting to play. What I meant to say is the Tripp mag won't insert without pressing the mag catch. It hits the catch and stops, whereas the Wilson mag pushes past it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 ah...mag catch needs a little polishing then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now