Failure to lock slide back...

[moyler]

I assumed the most likely culprits were the magazines? As soon as I took the shok-buff out of an Officer size Wilson the slide fails to lock back 100% of the time. I just got the pistol back from Wilson and they had replaced the guide rod, reverse plug, recoil spring and extractor. I sent it to Wilson for this reason and because it was spitting casings at my forehead. The extractor fixed the ejection pattern fine, but the thing will still not lock back. Using 4 different Wilson mags and 1 Colt mag, all results the same. 150 rounds today, 21 full mags, 21 failures to lock the slide back after last round fired. Not a huge problem but it is/was my CCW. Any suggestions before I call Wilson back?
Thanks!~

[pa_guns]

Hi

Put an empty mag in the pistol. Slowly pull back the slide. Watch what goes on with the slide stop. The follower in the mag *should* push the slide stop up into the lock position.

Other possibilities:

1) The mag follower misses the slide stop entirely.

2) The follower hits the stop but does not push it up.

3) The stop comes up, but does not hold the slide.

Except for the last one, it can be the mag, or it can be something else. Four times out of five, it's the mag.

Can you lock the slide back manually? If so that generally rules out number 3. If you can't, can you at least move the stop? If it won't move at all take a look at the plunger that holds it in place. If it goes up ok, but will not hold the slide back - send it off to Wilson.

Take a look at what's happening and let us know ...

Bob

[1911Tuner]

It's still a magazine issue. The shock buff had the effect of preventing the rebound effect of steel on steel, and delayed the slide's return after impact just enough to let the mag follower get the stop into lock position.

Without the buff, the slide was moving faster, and the mag spring wasn't able to catch the notch with the stop.

Stronger mag springs will most likely correct the problem, though if the slide is also oversprung, you may have to drop the recoil spring a pound or two.

[berkbw]

Or, for some reason, the SS is difficult to push up? Yep mag spring prob. With the buffer the slide hung out in the sweet spot a tad longer. Or try a good lube on the slide stop pin.
b-