I'm a newby when it comes to the 1911. My question is whether or not there is a way to provide an easy pull to the slide on my 1911 Colt Series 70. When purchased, it had been completely re-blued inside and out, by the Colt Custom Shop. It being my first 1911, I assumed the hard pull was due to the new installed/blued parts or the minor arthritis in my hands. However, when I recently visited my favorite gun shop, I handled a used Kimber Poly Ten, which to my surprise, had the easiest slide pull I have even tried. Also, I found that if I cock the hammer, on my Series 70, before pulling the slide, it helps some. But, I would like to find out if there is something that could be done (replace springs, hammer, etc.) that would make it more like the Kimber slide, and offer an easy slide pull all of the time. Please help! I welcome any suggestions. Thanks from the Bluegrassstate.

Most resistance is with the recoil spring. The used gun may have had more rounds fired (thus weakening the spring). You should have a 18.5# spring is you are shooting 230gr "hard ball" ammo.

The lube on the slide rails could have something to do with the resistance also. Some people do not recommend using oil only on the slide rails.

The collet barrel bushing may also have a hand in applying resistance.

Get with a local gun smith. Change the collet bushing out. Use a different lubricant.

Good Shooting

The big thing I've found is to cock the hammer before trying to rack the slide. I have found little difference in how much effort it takes to run the slide with recoil springs from 11 to 18 pound, but there is a huge difference in how much effort is needed between having the hammer down or cocked.

Another alternative, if you're looking to modify the handgun is a 'slide cocker.' Brownell's sells 2 of them. Items numbers are 129-400-001 and 375-101-100.

Good luck in your search, and happy (hopefully painless) shooting.

-Nikolai

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Really, I thought 16# was recommended for hardball.

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the most relief I felt on mine to pull the slide was when i went to a 19# mainspring, slides real easy now with the hammer up, I left the stock recoil spring in...
not to mention i polished the slide rails...