Slide not locking open on last shot

[ganderman]

Hey guys, I have a Series 80 in .38 Super. After about 100 rounds or so, my slide is not locking open after the last shot fired. I'm shooting PMC factory +p ammo using new factory Colt Mags. I'm taking my mags to work with me tomorrow to throw in the solvent tank. Should I lube them with something afterwards? Could something else be wrong?

Thanks,

ganderman

[Hunter]

Check out the magazine follower. There is a tab just below the follower that will engage the slide release. That is what will push the slide release into position to hold the slide back on the last round. Check out your mags and the slide release to be sure it is in the frame as it should be.As long as the tab just below the follower is intact and the slide release is in place the slide should lock back on the last round.

[1911Tuner]

Remove the slidestop and check the lug that the magazine shelf that Hunter mentioned bears upward on to move it up into lock position. Sometimes they break off, it's hard to tell without looking on the underside.

Since the problem started suddenly after functioning reliably for a while, this is likely your bug. The litmus test is to hand-cycle the slide with the mag empty. If everything is in place, the slide should lock at low-speed. if it locks during hand-cycling, but not during live-fire, either the mag follower shelf has bent downward too far to actuate the stop or the mag spring is too weak to lift the stop in time to catch the slide.

[ganderman]

Thanks guys, I'll check those options out!!

ganderman

[Sandman1967]

I have one mag that the follower bends down after about 500 rounds. I just bend it back up and I am good to go for another 500 or so rounds.

[stans]

I have one mag that the follower bends down after about 500 rounds. I just bend it back up and I am good to go for another 500 or so rounds.
Sounds like the metal is soft and repeated bending will result in breakage. Suggest replacing the follower.

[LordVader74]

I have a question along these lines but I'm going to include a post I originally made in the "Magazines" section regarding Wilson's 7 rd. to 8 rd. conversions...and then I'll include John's reply to help clarify what's going on.

My original post in the Magazines section:

I've got a question about these conversions. Yesterday I installed the conversion kits on the two metalform magazines that came with my Springfield TRP. I haven't been able to shoot it yet but one of the magazines will not engage the slide stop with just hand cycling. I have a brand new 47D that works fine and the other converted mag seems to work fine...so I don't think my pistol is one that just doesn't like Wilsons. When I looked down the ejection port to see if it's just missing the ledge or whatever it's called on the magazine, it looked like the spring just didn't have enough "oomph" to push the stop up. It seemed to be catching the stop...just not able to push it up. Also, with that conversion mag I can't load 8 rounds. I can aaaaallllmmooooossssttt get that eigth round in there but it just won't go. Do you guys think this is a problem with that particular kit I got or possibly something wrong with the mag body?

John's reply:

First, make sure that everything is installed correctly in the magazine. Take it apart and reinstall everything paying attention. Then try the magazine at the range, the 1911 was never intended to be hand-cycled for testing, the pistol needs the ooomph to work properly. Also, make sure that there is nothing in your slide stop which causes it to bind when moving upwards. Obviously, since it locks with the other magazines, you think it's a problem of that particular mag, but you never know. Oh and compare the spring pressure on the two converted magazines. If the faulty one needs much less pressure than the other, to press the follower down, maybe you got a lemon.

John's reply got me to thinking and after checking that everything was installed in the mag properly, it still wouldn't engage the slide stop. So I pulled the gun apart and reinstalled the slide stop on the frame. It was here I discovered that my slide stop is really difficult to engage. It has a very very gritty feel to it. I know it's supposed to have resistance...but this is sort of excessive (but I by no means am an expert). Any suggestions on how to "loosen this up" (for lack of a better term)?

[John]

It has a very very gritty feel to it. I know it's supposed to have resistance...but this is sort of excessive (but I by no means am an expert). Any suggestions on how to "loosen this up" (for lack of a better term)?

Well, actually there should be no resistance, other than the one induced by the plunger. I would suggest that you try to find out where the grittiness comes from. Most probably, the slot of the slide stop is not wide enough to allow it to move freely. Try rubbing its sides with some emery cloth so that it can freely move up.

[Sandman1967]

Sounds like the metal is soft and repeated bending will result in breakage. Suggest replacing the follower.

Very true! With my luck, the piece would break off and cause some damage to the gun!

Thanks stans! :)