Premature Lockback

[Old Guy]

I went to the range today and twice the slide locked back before the last round (both times it locked back after firing round 6). I was using the two factory 8 round magazines. I don't know if it was the same magazine each time.

I was shooting both Winchester 230 gr FMJ (WWB), and Remington 230 gr JHP. The gun has a little over 500 rounds through it.

Is this anything to worry about, could it be magazine related, is it fixable?

[John]

Most probably a mag spring issue. Get some new magazine springs or some new magazines.

[N2OGV]

I had the same problem with my Kimber.
It appears that the internal portion of the slide lock is slightly oversized and protrudes inwards too far.
During recoil, the .45 round moves slightly forward in the magazine, and catches on the slide lock, locking the slide back.
Kimber sent me (free of charge of course) a slightly modified slide lock lever, which appears to have been machined down in the proper area.
This solved the problem.
If you do a search on this website for "premature slide lock", you should be able to find some threads with pictures, to fix it yourself.
Good Luck,
Seth

[ArmyPilot]

I don't know how experienced you are with 1911's but you may want to pay attention to your grip as well. I've known guys to hold their thumb(s) under the slide catch and accidentally force it up as they shoot. May sound silly but it does happen.

Brad

[Old Guy]

Thanks for the suggestions.

ArmyPilot; I've seen that happen to other people, but being a southpaw... :D

[dforth]

Since you're a lefty, I'd think that it was either a magazine/magazine spring issue or a magazine release button issue, maybe even a little of both. I can't think of anything to add to the advise that's already been given, so I'll just say good luck.

[jpwilly]

I had the same problem with my Kimber.
It appears that the internal portion of the slide lock is slightly oversized and protrudes inwards too far.
During recoil, the .45 round moves slightly forward in the magazine, and catches on the slide lock, locking the slide back.
Kimber sent me (free of charge of course) a slightly modified slide lock lever, which appears to have been machined down in the proper area.
This solved the problem.
If you do a search on this website for "premature slide lock", you should be able to find some threads with pictures, to fix it yourself.
Good Luck,
Seth

Yea...I'd check for something out of spec too! Let us know how you fix it.