Slide Issue

[CmndrXSE]

Hello all! I am new to the forum, and already appreciative of all the great insight on here. Hate to jump in with "help me" questions right off the bat, but am hoping for a little advice. I finally got into the 1911 world with a new Lightweight Commander XSE and have been having some issues. The first problem was a FTF on the last round of the magazine when using hollowpoints. Some Wilson mags seems to have fixed that problem. I was also having problems with the slide failing to lock back after the last round, when using FMJ rounds and not experiencing the FTF. Again, the Wilson mags seem to have fixed that, as well. Now my problem is that if I load a new (full) magazine into the gun with the slide locked back, and "pop" the magazine to ensure it is in all the way, the jarring of the gun sometimes causes the slide to release and cycle a round into the chamber, without me hitting the slide release, or manually racking the slide or anything. Just the impact of my hand jars the slide loose and allows it to slide forward. Is this something that can be fixed with a replacement slide stop, or am I looking at a bigger fix? Thanks in advance for any insight!!!

[niemi24s]

Hi CmndrXSE: :wc: to the Forum!

Q#1: When the slide top is engaged, does it go all the up into the notch in the slide?

Q#2: Is the angle at the lower, aft corner of the slide stop 90°?

Q#3: Does the slide stop plunger exert about 3lbs of force against the slide stop?

Q#4: Does the exterior arm of the slide stop lie flat against the frame?

[NordicRX8]

:wc: to the forums! I too have a LW XSE Commander in my stable. Contrary to popular belief, Colt does make a lemon once in awhile and they do get past their QC dept. My Commander was one such gun. In Colt's defense, they did repair it to my satisfaction (replaced/repaired a loose plunger tube and replaced the thumb safety) and reimbursed me for my shipping costs.

It shouldn't take much effort to insert a magazine with the slide open, and failure to lock open sounds like a slide stop related issue. Take a close look at your slide stop and see if there is any trace of copper or rub marks on it. The slide stop may not have the proper angle on it or may be a tad "off". If you have access to a known good slide stop (another 1911 owner?) see if replacing your slide stop helps. Do a search on this forum to find the thread about slide stop dimensions... I recall seeing one not too long ago.
A call to Colt may be required and they might send a replacement SS.

Best of luck, hope you find a resolution quickly.

[CmndrXSE]

Thanks for the replies! It is kind of handy for the speedy reload, but still something I would like to figure out. The notch on the slide seems to be slightly rounded at its edges, but is otherwise a good fit with the SS. The arm fits flush with the outside of the frame. The slide stop appears to have the correct dimensions and angles, with no dimples or notches. It seems to only happen if I have a loaded mag in the gun, and won't jar loose if the mag is empty. Could the nose of the top round be just slightly resting up against the slide stop inside the frame, allowing for a good jarring to nudge it enough to push the stop enough out of the notch in the slide to allow the jarring to loosen it?

[niemi24s]

Could the nose of the top round be just slightly resting up against the slide stop inside the frame, allowing for a good jarring to nudge it enough to push the stop enough out of the notch in the slide to allow the jarring to loosen it?Compare your slide stop to its blueprint in our Tech Issues section. Just inboard of the part of the stop that goes up into the notch in the slide there should be a tab which extends up a little farther.

That little tab goes up the inside surface of the slide and is what prevents the stop from moving outward except when it's at the takedown notch.

If that stop tab is missing, the slide could possibly be released if the stop is bumped outward by a bullet.

A pic of the aft end of the stop might prove helpful.

Q#5: Does your stop have that tab inboard of the slide locking tab?

[CmndrXSE]

Aha, good question...when I return home from work I will examine and take some photos. Thanks again!

[niemi24s]

I'd like to think that little tab getting broken off would would be very, very unusual but somebody a few days ago reported the entire lug broke off - on a Colt, fer pity sake!

[doctruptwn]

I was just going to remind you of that one niemi.

[niemi24s]

I was just going to remind you of that one niemi.Was that your gun? If so, any idea where the piece that broke off went?

I remember, when reading the post, wondering how easy it might be for the chunk to end up in the barrel ahead of a chambered cartridge - and what would happen if it did.

[doctruptwn]

Nope it wasn't mine, Mine was the jammed sear spring/sear, but it was about the same time.

Well in theory if went down the barrel I guess it would depend on what happened next. If you pointed the weapon down nothing as it would fall out, Now if you fired it, That would be the question scared lands and grooves, Nothing, Wow, that might get real interesting.

[jeep45238]

That would have been my Colt officer's that did it. Billet slide stop did the job. It's now getting a reverse plug and a high ride beavertail fitted.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=62595

[niemi24s]

That would have been my Colt officer's that did it. If the stop was an original Colt item, did you ever think of calling Colt?

I'd like to think they'd be grateful for the report of parts failing like this and would send a new, free one your way. At least I'd really like to think that. Maybe they could care less, I dunno!

Regards

[jeep45238]

*shrugs*

I bought it used, failed to notice any issues with the stop when I detail stripped it. I'm not all that worried about it.