Magazine catch problem

[MuyModesto]

At the range the other day with my Springfield 1911A1 Mil-Spec and a (plus or minus) 35 year old "Devel" brand 8 round magazine the gun worked perfectly until it was time to eject the empty mag. I had to depress the mag release and then use a tool to apply a little prying force to get the mag to drop. My first thought was that I had more than gotten my $20 worth out of that old mag. All the other mags I had brought that day worked flawlessly at the range. This is one of the Devels with a metal weight on the base of the magazine.

Back at the house I checked that mag in other 1911s. It ejected normally from all the other pistols. This makes me suspect there's a problem with the mag catch in my Springfield.

Can anybody share what size of screwdriver is right for removing the mag catch?

Once I get the mag catch out of the gun, what should I look for, other than a buildup of crud?

[Rick McC.]

The mag catch is fine.

Those Devel followers rock forward beyond the front of the mag as the last round is fed into the chamber during live fire.

[Ric4509]

If you have a spare 1911 sear spring use the longest leg with a bent tip which should be to your left to remove mag catch.

[MuyModesto]

No such luck. Decades ago I was taught to use the sear spring. I'm trying to avoid disassembly, in hope of keeping things simple during my senior years.

[MuyModesto]

I bought a 3/32" screwdriver, which seems just right for removing the mag catch. I found only minimal fouling, and cleaned it up. I removed the spring and follower, then inserted the mag tube into the pistol. It still won't eject.

Ric4509 thanks for your input. I rummaged through my notes and saw that a couple years ago I made a note to use "Checkmate" brand springs & followers in the "Devel" brand magazines. I did insert a new "Checkmate" brand spring and follower into this magazine, but that did not solve the problem.

I'm now satisfied that I got my money's worth out of this mag over all those years. Next stop for that mag: The trash can.

[BHP9]

It's sounding more like the body of the mag (maybe the lips too) have bulged.

You may be able to salvage the mag by sandwiching it between 2 steel plates and squeezing them in a vice - GENTLY.

[jjfitch]

After 20 years of use the feed lips are probably expanded outward. I "MIC" my magazines every year to be sure the lips haven't spread. Some do some don't! Most 9mm mags begin to spread much sooner! A little squeeze in a padded vice "recalibrates" each!

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