Odd Problem With NRM Commander

[zenner22]

I field stripped my new NRM stainless Commander after putting a hundred or so flawless rounds through it. Couple things I found interesting. There is a gouge on the shaft of the recoil spring plug. It's deep enough that it looked like it was all the way through but I couldn't see daylight when holding it up to the light. It didn't interfere with function of the pistol.

The other thing was that on reassembly I managed to get the slide stuck on the gun. I was putting the slide stop in, moving the slide backward for the notch. The slide got stuck on the frame before I could line up the notch. It was stuck pretty good too, I thought I was going to have a real problem. I had to smack the rear of the slide with the heel of my hand pretty hard to get the thing to go forward again. I took it apart, looked at it, couldn't see anything out of order. So I put the slide back on. And I got it stuck again. Unbelievable. A smart smack on the rear of the slide got the thing working again. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to reassemble. Third time it worked fine, I got the gun put together. I've field stripped many 1911s before and never had this problem. Any ideas what could have caused this? I'm hoping it doesn't happen every time I take it apart. Perhaps it's something that will "break in" after more shooting?

On a good note, called Colt told them about the recoil spring plug. They took down the serial number of the gun and said they'd put one in the mail for me. Very polite, nice service.

[1911Tuner]

Howdy zenner, and welcome aboard.

That gouge is supposed to be there as per the original design specs. Colt and others have neglected to use it for some time...but Colt finally got back to the basics, and started implementing it again.

Why is it there? To prevent launching the plug into the wild, blue yonder...or into your eye...should your thumb slip off during field strip and reassembly.
You turn the plug and thread it onto the end of the recoil spring, which should be open on the front. Tug to make sure it's correctly captive...and finish assembling the gun.

It's like the dogleg bend in the plunger assembly spring that some folks like to squawk about. That kink keeps the plunger assembly in the tube whenever the thumb safety is removed. Neat, eh what?

Cheers!

[zenner22]

Howdy zenner, and welcome aboard.

That gouge is supposed to be there as per the original design specs. Colt and others have neglected to use it for some time...but Colt finally got back to the basics, and started implementing it again.

!

You're kidding! I have never seen a recoil spring plug with that on it before. Neither of my ORMs have it, neither does my Gold Cup Trophy. It just looks completely random, doesn't look like it's intentional.

Very interesting. Learn something new every day. Thanks for clearing that up, I'd really have been scratching my head when the new plug arrived with the same gouge!

[John]

Now you believe me when I say that John Moses knew what he was doing?

[sff70]

Of my 5 Colts, 2 have this: an old series 70 Gold Cup, and a Gunsite Pistol.

I love this feature!

[dakota1911]

I agree that JMB knew what he was doing. Thanks 1911Tuner.

[RickB]

The reassembly problem was probably a result of the link being tipped toward the rear, rather than toward the front, as the slide is installed on the frame. With the slide upside down on the bench, tip the link forward, feed the frame onto the slide, then tip the whole assembly right side up, do any necessary fine adjustments to the slide/frame relationship, and install the slide stop. This is another part of the process made more difficult with the presence of a full-length guide rod; the spring is pushing rearward on the guide rod, holding the link up, when it should be tipped forward for easy assembly.

[zenner22]

The reassembly problem was probably a result of the link being tipped toward the rear, rather than toward the front, as the slide is installed on the frame.

That is possible. I usually do it that way but the Commander was the fourth 1911 I'd cleaned that day so maybe I missed it. I'll blame it on the Breakfree fumes!