Brand new XSE government and problems already...please help

[JJH]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the 1911 as of last Sunday and finally got to go to the range tonight. Before going to the range, while I was fondling and learning to dissasemble my new pride and joy, I noticed that the slide would get stuck all the way back. For example, when you would pull the slide back, it would get stuck just past the slide stop notch. This didn't happen at all while I was shooting, so I was willing to live with it. Then tonight when I was cleaning the gun after about 100 rounds at the range, the front sight just slid right out with the slightest of pressure. I inadvertantly hit the front sight. Is this something I should send the gun back to Colt for? It just really sucks that the gun is brand new and I can't even enjoy it this weekend for a couple more hundred rounds.

On the bright side, this thing is awesome! It is so accurate. I honestly thought the kick would be more than it was. Other than the few minor problems, I think i'm in love. :)

[John]

There is no pin holding that sight into place? Interesting!

I would have a local gunsmith drill a hole on the sight and slide and pass a pin through it.

What I do not understand is that the slide locked at the open position. Had you lubed the gun before shooting it?

[stans]

With slide fully to the rear, the disconnector pops up and will slightly impeade the smooth movement of the slide back into battery. The way to see if this is what you are feeling is to remove the magazine, then make sure the chamber is empty. Move the slide fully forward (never let the slide slam home on an empty chamber, causes the sear to bounce and damages its engagement surfaces). With slide closed on an empty chamber, mag out, pull the trigger and keep the trigger all the way to the rear, now retract the slide and see if it moves freely forward and aft. Now release the trigger and move the slide, if you now feel a hitch as the slide starts to move forward, that is the disconnector. If this is indeed the case, it is normal.

[jrg065]

If you are not happy I would call Colt and speak to Carol or Kathy about the problem.

[JJH]

If you are not happy I would call Colt and speak to Carol or Kathy about the problem.
I called this morning and spoke to Carol. Customer service was not much help other than telling me to send it in and they will reinburse me for my expenses. So I will be mailing my 3 day old gun tomorrow to get fixed. :( I'm a bit dissapointed, considering I paid an extra $150 to get a Colt over the S&W just because it was a Colt and the original, and the fact that Colts were supposed to be really good. Oh well, I guess there is always a bad apple and mine was one of them. Hopefully Colt will do a good job at fixing my 1911.

[Hersh]

JJH,

Sorry to hear about your problems. It does stink given a brand new pistol, still I'd say give Colt a chance to make it right. Last winter I had some persistent hiccups with a new Commander, but now it runs like a champ !

Hersh

[emiddio]

i have a dove tailed front sight that came loose on 1 colt after a few years; after consulting a few opinions and the folks at Brownells -- i just used a little noname brand loctite -- and have had no problems since.

[191145]

Just take it to your local gunsmith and get the sight tightened up. It's going to cost a fortune to send it to Colt.

[horse 91-A1]

My Colt M1991 has been flawless in several thousand rounds, my brand new Glock 20 (10mm about 200 rounds) has several different serious problems and is going back to the factory as soon as I can find the registration card. :)

I hope Glock's customer service is as good as Colt's.

To soothe my sorrow I'll probably buy a Marlin 1895 (replacing the stolen one) in .45-70 to go along with my 1874 Sharps. :D

Adios,
Bob