Failure to Lock Open

[F/V Icy Swan]

I have a Series 80 Colt Combat Commander. I have been shooting it regularly [several hundred rounds a month] and cleaning it regularly. Yesterday, after about 200 rounds, it just stopped locking open after the last round. I tried various magazines, but that is not the problem. I did a detailed frame and slide strip and clean. No dice. I buffed the slide stop. Nada.

Any ideas to fix the problem? This is my daily carry gun, and I would like to get it back on the road. Thanks.

[BHP Fan]

try various new slide stops.Start with one from Brownels.

[1911Tuner]

Will it lock when you hand-cycle it? If it won't, the slidestop lug is probably broken.

[Bridgeport Guy]

Your problem certainly sounds like a defective / worn slide stop.

However, there's something you could do first just to be sure it is your slide stop, before you go and buy another one.

Try switching out your existing slide stop with one from another 1911. Maybe you have another 1911 or maybe a buddy has one, or maybe your local range can help you.

Recently I had the same "no slide lock back after the last round" problem. I switched out the slide stop from one of my other 1911's and "presto".... .....problem solved. Then I went and bought the replacement.

It might even be a good idea to buy a "spare", to have in your spare parts bin.

Hopefully with the "switch-out", you'll fix the problem and have peace of mind knowing that it isn't anything more serious. :)

[F/V Icy Swan]

Tuner, the slide will not stay open when I operate it by hand. It does sound like the problem may be the slide stop. I will try one from another gun. If that works I will get several new ones. Any suggestions which ones to get? Thanks, and I will let you know if it works.

[F/V Icy Swan]

It was, in fact, the slide lock itself. It was worn/broke enough not to catch. I swapped slide locks and it worked. I wish everthing could have such a good ending. Thanks to one and all. Once again I relearn not to overlook the obvious.

[1911Tuner]

Not highly likely that a slidestop that new would have been worn bad enough to cause the problem. More likely the stop itself was out of spec to start with.

[Pappy]

Do we know if it was a MIM part??? Curious.

[1911Tuner]

Do we know if it was a MIM part???

If it was the OEM Colt slidestop...Nope. Colt's slidestops are machined barstock...or at least they were last week, when I looked over a new one.