Assembly Problem

[Boomer]

I am new to the 1911 forumn and a new owner of a PX9161L Compact. After having fired a 45 for the first time I decided that I should attempt the disassembly/cleaning. Following the instruction I easily got the gun apart. I am however stuck on getting it back together. My difficulty is at the last step, the insertion of the slide stop. I cannot get it to fully seat. So at this point I have three questions:
1) Does the slide stop go through the Barrel link (seems like this is an obvious yes...but I have to ask just in case???)
2) Should the takedown piece be left on during assembly?
3) I basically seem to have trouble getting the lip of the slide stop go go under the slide? Anybody have any tips about this stage of re-assemby.

Thanks for appling patience to a newbe

[John]

Go to the Technical Issues forum, in the first page of this site. There is an article on how to insert the slide stop. Check it out.

Rgds

[gottripletsNC]

my 2 cents worth. If it came out, it obviously will go back in, sounds as if you might not have the slide lined up just right. Might just need to move the slide back and forth just a very little while trying to seat the stop. Sometimes I have to do that to mine. Another thing I've noticed about mine is that the slide stop appears to be in the right spot but it is a hair to high. The way I remedied that problems was to push the slide in as far as possible with the part that locks in to be below the spring on the plunger tube, then slide the slide stop up towards the slide until you feel it drop into its slot, then it goes in without a hitch.

[Boomer]

:) Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure I found the article John was referencing, however I did read a suggestion to try to reassemble without the recoil spring. This helped me figure out the slide position which would allow reassmbly. Boy after determining that, did it just pop right back together. Thanks agian for the assistance.

[gottripletsNC]

didn't think about trying it without the spring, but that is a good idea for the next person that has the same problem. Just glad you figured out to get it back together. I'll have to remember that about the spring, next time someone asks me.

[USMC2111]

Thanks for this post, I just had the same problem yesterday. I got it back together but I really don't know how I did it. I found the technical page, it is a fantasitc resource. The particular issue dealing with the slide stop is great as it has very detailed pictures. Thanks again, this a fantastic site to help us newbies learn the ropes.

[Boomer]

Glad this post helped you. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong (slide position required for assembly), I can disassemble and assembly in no time. Hey where did you find the technical stuff? I'd like to look it over too.
Thanks for your service to the USA

[USMC2111]

go to: The M-1911 Pistols Forums Site and click on it, it should be at the top of the page you are viewing now. It is blue writing. Once you are there and have clicked on it it will take you to the page you need to be at to find the technical stuff. Scroll down the page and look under "Gunsmithing" There are only three sub catagories in this section and the last is titled Technical Issues from M1911.ORG and there you have it. There is even a video but I couldn't pull it up on my computer at work so I will try it now that i'm home. Hope this helped. And your welcome.

Semper Fi.

[Iceman]

Hehehe...hope you didn't scratch the frame like I did! The key is to depress the detent pin with your finger nail while try to push in and up with the slide stop and if everything is lined up, it should just slide in. Of course, the notch need to line up as well. Just my 2 cents worth. :)

[harytaint]

Heres what works for me. I practiced alot on my stainless 1911 before I got my teflon coated super tac from les baer so that I wouldnt scratch the finish.
I use a cleaning patch right in front of the plunger tube underneath but not covering the slide stop hole. But first turn the gun right side up so the link falls down and insert the slide stop part way in then turn the gun on its side so the slide stop is facing you. Now push the stop in until it pinches up against the cleaning cloth. Now you just have to over come the plunger tube spring but be sure to not over shoot and scratch the slide with your upward motion. The slide stop will now glide much easier on the cloth so I place my finger on the slide partially covering the slide stop hole and with my other hand push the slide stop up and in. it will pop right in place and then you just remove the cleaning cloth.
The cloth to me is the trick since not only can you over shoot and scratch your slide but you can also scratch your frame since it drags across it. This way you dont need a finger nail or device to depress the plunger tube, hence limiting the need for a 3rd arm. And yes this is done with out the recoil spring inplace.