Slide not locking back with one of my mags

[jimmer_5]

So I just got my Kimber Tactical Pro II in 9mm, and I haven't had a chance to fire it yet, but I've just started having problems when one of the two mags it came with is inserted. The mags are 9 round Springfield 9mm units.

Intermittently (about every other time) the slide won't lock back with the empty mag inserted. Also, when this happens, the mag won't drop free. It doesn't appear to be damaged, but the problem continues.

When I use the other magazine, I never have a problem and the slide locks back every time.

My question is, is this just a simple mag problem or is it an issue with the gun? It appears to be a simple mag problem, but I'm admittedly no expert. I haven't fired the gun yet - I have just field stripped it 3-5 times to learn the new method.


I want to know because I am still in the inside of the 3 day inspection period. I will be test firing it later today to prove it out functionally.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks - Jim

[thejeepster]

More than likely the magazine. Too weak or worn out springs in the magazine usually is the problems. Kimber 8 round mags are variations of the "devel" type of follower with springs that have to be weaker to handle 8 rounds inside a 7 round tube. I'd beg, borrow or obtain some known good magazines and try the pistol with them.

[jimmer_5]

I forgot to mention earlier that these are 9 round 9mm Springfield magazines. Not sure if it makes much of a differnece, but there you have it.

[toolman]

Also, when this happens, the mag won't drop free.

Does the mag hang up in the pistol and need to be pulled out by force? Next time the mag hangs up in the pistol, manually lock the slide back with the mag still in the pistol. Look down inside and see if the mag follower has slipped past the tab on the slide stop. Take a picture looking down at the mag follower and slide stop tab and post it for us to see.

[jimmer_5]

Toolman - I jsut took a look at it like you said to - it looks like the mag follower is slipping past the slide stop with the bad mag inserted. That would explain both problems since the slide stop isn't moving up and is actually wedged up next to the follower.

I guess I'll be ordering a few new mags. Any advice on a good online source fro Springfield mags?

[toolman]

People here on this forum seem to like Checkmate 7 round hybrid feed lip mags. I haven't tried them myself (I need some but can't spare the cash) but they get rave reviews. In fact there's group buy being organized.

[log man]

Toolman - looks like the mag follower is slipping past the slide stop with the bad mag inserted. That would explain both problems since the slide stop isn't moving up and is actually wedged up next to the follower.

This isn't really that unusual and can easily be fixed by removing the follower and bending the tab that contacts the slide stop out a little, as far as will still fit in the tube without dragging. A little trial and error and you're good.

LOG

[toolman]

This isn't really that unusual and can easily be fixed by removing the follower and bending the tab that contacts the slide stop out a little, as far as will still fit in the tube without dragging. A little trial and error and you're good.

LOG

I tried that once with one of my old mags. Didn't work in my case but it's allways worth trying.

[jimmer_5]

Ok, so I got out to the range tonight and shot the pistol. I only got to shoot 100 rounds, but the gun functioned flawlessly with both magazines. I actually ended up shooting about 8 of the 11 groups with the "bad" mag, and the slide never once failed to lock back.

For some reason, the mag functions flawlessly when the gun in actually being fired. It still won't lock the slide back when the mag is inserted empty and the slide is racked.

I looked a little closer today and discovered that the follower is somehow going around the slide stop and getting wedged up next to it. This explains both the failure to lock back and the failure of the mag to drop free when the release button is pushed. It's only with the one mag that I have this problem.

I guess I'll end up keeping the mag for target practice. Thanks for all your responses folks!!

Oh, and by the way, my best group was 3 inches at 21 feet. I really believe that it could have been smaller, but I'm not much of a shot with a pistol to begin with and it's a new gun so I'm still getting used to it.