New Agent field strip question

[Shoota]

I've been to the range a few times with my New Agent, and I'm having a hard time getting the take down pin out. I have no problem starting it off with a plastic tool, but pulling it out completely is another story. I've had to resort to putting a screwdriver (protected) underneath the slide stop, and prying it off. Is there a trick that I'm missing? Thanks for any ideas.

[Ric4509]

I've been to the range a few times with my New Agent, and I'm having a hard time getting the take down pin out. I have no problem starting it off with a plastic tool, but pulling it out completely is another story. I've had to resort to putting a screwdriver (protected) underneath the slide stop, and prying it off. Is there a trick that I'm missing? Thanks for any ideas.
Am I missing something? Take down PIN? Are you referring to the slide stop? I also have a New Agent. Are you saying you're having a difficult time removing the slide stop? Are you aligning it well with the notch in the slide?

[Rio Vista Slim]

Shoota,

The pistol review which Hunter conducted on the Colt New Agent includes a detailed description of how that gun is field stripped.

http://ezine.m1911.org/ColtNA_frame.htm

Just remember, the first notch, closest to the muzzle is the slide stop notch. You need to line the second notch (take-down notch) up with the slide stop, then press the slide stop out by applying pressure to the slide stop pin on the right side of the pistol.

[Shoota]

Hey Ric...yes, it is the slide stop...the part that goes through the gun is the pin. It seems that it is encountering too much resistance from the slide stop plunger, making it difficult to pop off. I am aligning it fine, and it pushes out easily until the pin is flush with the frame. but removal from there it seems to be very, very tight. Thanks for any ideas that you may have.

[dewalt2]

I hope you dropped the mag out, otherwise the slide stop won't come out.

[Shoota]

Shoota,

The pistol review which Hunter conducted on the Colt New Agent includes a detailed description of how that gun is field stripped.

http://ezine.m1911.org/ColtNA_frame.htm

Just remember, the first notch, closest to the muzzle is the slide stop notch. You need to line the second notch (take-down notch) up with the slide stop, then press the slide stop out by applying pressure to the slide stop pin on the right side of the pistol.

Thanks Rio....I had read the review a while back, and it was one of the things that got me to buy the NA in the first place (thanks Hunter!). It does not really address taking the slide stop out, though. I am lining it up properly. Maybe the plunger mechanism needs to break in a bit? Thank you.

[Shoota]

I hope you dropped the mag out, otherwise the slide stop won't come out.


Yes, I dropped the mag. I just tried again, and I could only push the pin out until flush...I would have had to pry it out again, so I just decided to push it back in, and that was stubborn too. I had to tap it with the back of a screw driver to get it back in.

When you guys pull it off, after you push the pin, can you just pull the slide stop out with your fingers easily?

[Landman]

I have a Commander that was like that. It would get stuck by the plunger like you've described. I would just barely push the slide stop out from the right side to get it started and then would give it a quick, forceful pull from the left side to get it past the plunger (I hope that makes sense). After awhile I guess the area where the plunger and slide stop contacted must have become worn because it doesn't do it anymore or at least is not as bad. Just be very careful and pull it straight out so as not to leave an idiot mark. I suppose you could lightly polish that contact area but I think the problem will eventually work itself out.

[FJC]

I just bought a New Agent and field stripped it for initial cleaning last night. I ran into the identical problem, but more so on the reassembly.

When I first stripped it, as I pushed on the slide stop it literally flew out of the pistol, as if under spring pressure. Must have been the pressure of the slide stop plunger.

Upon reassembly, I carefully inserted the slide stop, and it got stuck exactly as you described. The slide stop plunger was firmly in the notch of the slide stop, and nothing would budge.

To get things moving, I took a thin credit card, inserted it into that notch, and pushed the plunger in just enough to finally get the slide stop to snap into place.

Hopefully it'll wear in a bit over time, otherwise I might need to take a tiny file to the slide stop and just break the edges a bit where that plunger is getting stuck so that it can move into/out-of that notch easier.

[Shoota]

Landman an FJC...thanks

Well, I guess I am not the only one with this issue. It probably will break in with use, and perhaps a light filing is in order. The credit card idea is great too, and I think that I will try that for reassembly...at least I'll have a use for the credit card. I guess I'll have to keep prying the safety stop out too, until it wears. I've got to be careful here too. Even with protection, I left a pin point mark on the frame....my idiot mark. I'm just glad that it was not a scratch.....Thanks guys!

[FJC]

Try the credit card for disassembly, too - it'll probably work even better that way, since with the slide stop coming out you won't have to get the credit card out of the way (like you do when pushing the slide stop back into place).

[Shoota]

Thanks...I'm going to try the CC and see if it works on disassembly....I'll report back here later to let you know how I did.

Perhaps this will help some others with the same issue.

[Shoota]

Ok....I'm back...

I did ok...chewed up the credit card a bit. But what ended up working was tapping rather briskly with the plastic end of a scredriver. I took it out and put it back together about 15 times, and it seems a little looser now. One time when I did it, my tap was so perfect the slide stop shot all the way out, just as it does with my Kahr K9 (by the way, the instructions for the K9 tell you to do it this way). But at least it seems to work ok. I think that I'll be fine. Anyone that trys this should make sure to use a plastic screw driver handle, or other non-marring tool. Thanks all for your help.