Spring field 1911 loaded problem, the slide is binding.

[BOPLEO]

I have a stainless 1911 that has a problem. The pistol functions fine, shoots fine, and is very tight but when I take the gun apart the slide has trouble coming off from the frame. I am pulling the slide off from the front and it will come off, but it appears to be binding in some way, also the bushing is very tight, and it has a 2-piece full-length guide rod.
Any ideas what or if this is a problem?

[Sir William]

Typical Springfield problem. The first thing to do is look for a bright and shiny rub spot on the 2-pc guide rod, the slide, the frame, the siderails and the right side in particular. Tolerances are the usual culprit. The top of the extractor are often too long and cause disassembly problems, though it should cause feeding issues as well. I have seen SAs with clocked ejectors as well. The claw should show wear if it is the fault. Inspect the frame for galling too. A good idea for any steel framed 1911 is to mix up a slurry of 1 part Remigton Bore Kleener, 1 part valve lapping compound and mix them together and apply the paste to the slide and frame rails. Work the slide to the frame only for roughly 1,000 cycles. Clean with CRC Brakleen and reassemle/relube.

[EIGHTYDUECE]

Try holding the pistol upside down while removing the slide. Sometimes the barrel link will bind alittle.
Only thing I can think of.

[model 25]

I use a modest amount of gun grease on the slide rails of my stainless guns. Stainless in the past had a history of galling so a little lube won't hurt. Too much will contaminate the primers on your ammo though.

25

[Harry Bonar]

Dear Shooter:
Throw the "guide rod" away, far away.
Harry B.

[Unclenick]

Ditto Harry's comment. The instructors at Gunsite told me they note the performance of different guns brought to their classes and have yet to identify anything other than looks to recommend the extended recoil spring guide concept. It doesn't appear improve functional reliability any, as was originally claimed, and can cause problems of its own. It might add a little nose weight in a wad gun, but otherwise seems to be a useless complication. That was the concensus there, anyway.

Nick

[lubaloy]

This is common with Springfields. It is due to a slight taper between frame and slide.
If the slide operates freely between the firing position and the full open position, it is of no concern at all. Just a bit of a pain when assembling/diassembling.
It can be corrected by judicious lapping, but certainly not as described by
Sir William.:rolleyes: He also is confused about the extractor and ejector.
I would only use JB Bore Paste mixed with some oil, and only lap in the tight area. 20 or 30 strokes will be sufficient. Bear in mind that the fit in the 'in battery' position will loosen a bit as well.
As to the guide rods/grease info............use them if you like them. Both are unnecessary but neither will cause problems.
I hope this helps!:)