Slide locks back prematurely/RIA 1911

jpsshack · July 14, 2011, 09:39 AM

every once in awhile the slide will lock back on my new RIA GI .45 before the mag is empty. This has happened with both lead and jacketed ball ammo. It's happened maybe 5 times in 250 rounds. I would appreciate feedback on this matter,
-jp

Don P · July 14, 2011, 10:53 AM

Are you possibly pushing up on the slide lock while shooting?

GURU1911 · July 14, 2011, 12:38 PM

I totally agree with don on the possibility your are accidentally engaging the slide stop with your hand. My guess it is your left thumb, if you are shooting in the weaver stance right handed.

Your right thumb rides on top of & down against the thumb safety when firing. That would position the top of your left thumb almost directly under the slide stop.

Suggestion: Have a shooting partner fire a mag full from your 1911 & see if the same thing occurs with him. If not, then the problem lies with you !!!!!!!! If the problem continues, write back to the "smithy" section & someone will tell you how to correct the problem with the slide stop.

Guru1911

Scorch · July 14, 2011, 12:41 PM

Possibly you are pushing up on the slide stop. Also possible that the detent dimple on the end of the stop is not deep enough for the plunger tip to retain the slide stop. A small dimple or a positive angle on the end of the slide stop is necessary for the slide stop to stay down when firing.

SHNOMIDO · July 14, 2011, 12:59 PM

try a drop of gun oil on anything rebellious.

Jim Watson · July 14, 2011, 01:42 PM

The other possibility is that a bullet nose is rubbing the slide stop lug and pushing it up just like the follower does when empty.

Take the barrel and slide off, put the slide stop back in the frame, and insert a loaded magazine. See if the bullet touches the slide stop or even gets very close so that it might bump it in recoil. Look for copper tracks on the slide stop lug.

jpsshack · July 14, 2011, 02:29 PM

Hi Folks,
thanks for all your replies. No, I'm nowhere near the slide stop, offhand or two-hand. I do see tell-tale copper on the slide stop lug–do I stone that or take a couple thousandths off the top of the stop? It's just barely catching, now every 10 rounds or so.
-jp

dahermit · July 14, 2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

The other possibility is that a bullet nose is rubbing the slide stop lug and pushing it up just like the follower does when empty.

Take the barrel and slide off, put the slide stop back in the frame, and insert a loaded magazine. See if the bullet touches the slide stop or even gets very close so that it might bump it in recoil. Look for copper tracks on the slide stop lug.

Excellent advice! This should be the first thing to look at when that problem occurs.

Don P · July 15, 2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

do see tell-tale copper on the slide stop lug–do I stone that or take a couple thousandths off the top of the stop? It's just barely catching, now every 10 rounds or so.

JUST REMEBER a pass of the stone/sandpaper/file reinstall and try. you can take more off BUT YOU AIN"T PUTTIN NUTIN BACK

jpsshack · July 15, 2011, 05:43 PM

OK–got it. thanks again, folks.

jpsshack · July 26, 2011, 10:17 PM

I have the issue dealt with. Thanks again for your help.

July 14, 2011, 09:39 AM	#1
jpsshack Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Northern New England Posts: 169	Slide locks back prematurely/RIA 1911 every once in awhile the slide will lock back on my new RIA GI .45 before the mag is empty. This has happened with both lead and jacketed ball ammo. It's happened maybe 5 times in 250 rounds. I would appreciate feedback on this matter, -jp

July 14, 2011, 10:53 AM	#2
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Are you possibly pushing up on the slide lock while shooting? __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

July 14, 2011, 12:38 PM	#3
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Atta-boy don !!!!! I totally agree with don on the possibility your are accidentally engaging the slide stop with your hand. My guess it is your left thumb, if you are shooting in the weaver stance right handed. Your right thumb rides on top of & down against the thumb safety when firing. That would position the top of your left thumb almost directly under the slide stop. Suggestion: Have a shooting partner fire a mag full from your 1911 & see if the same thing occurs with him. If not, then the problem lies with you !!!!!!!! If the problem continues, write back to the "smithy" section & someone will tell you how to correct the problem with the slide stop. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

July 14, 2011, 12:41 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Possibly you are pushing up on the slide stop. Also possible that the detent dimple on the end of the stop is not deep enough for the plunger tip to retain the slide stop. A small dimple or a positive angle on the end of the slide stop is necessary for the slide stop to stay down when firing. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 14, 2011, 02:29 PM	#7
jpsshack Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Northern New England Posts: 169	Hi Folks, thanks for all your replies. No, I'm nowhere near the slide stop, offhand or two-hand. I do see tell-tale copper on the slide stop lug–do I stone that or take a couple thousandths off the top of the stop? It's just barely catching, now every 10 rounds or so. -jp Last edited by jpsshack; July 14, 2011 at 02:37 PM.

July 14, 2011, 12:59 PM	#5
SHNOMIDO Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 423	try a drop of gun oil on anything rebellious.

July 14, 2011, 01:42 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The other possibility is that a bullet nose is rubbing the slide stop lug and pushing it up just like the follower does when empty. Take the barrel and slide off, put the slide stop back in the frame, and insert a loaded magazine. See if the bullet touches the slide stop or even gets very close so that it might bump it in recoil. Look for copper tracks on the slide stop lug.

July 15, 2011, 05:43 PM	#10
jpsshack Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Northern New England Posts: 169	OK–got it. thanks again, folks. Last edited by jpsshack; July 16, 2011 at 08:34 AM.

July 26, 2011, 10:17 PM	#11
jpsshack Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Northern New England Posts: 169	I have the issue dealt with. Thanks again for your help.