1911 hold open issue

[HEAVY METAL 1]

My pistol does not hold open on the last shot unless I shoot very slowly. It is not a magazine issue. It happens with a pristine, clean, brand new magazine and with older, but in excellent shape magazines as well. Happens whether or not the gun is clean or dirty. Any ideas? Worn hold open pin?

 

[jak67429]

sounds like either a slide hold open or the spring.

 

[ms6852]

Email the manufacturer, they may send you the parts needed to replace or have the repair it for you.

 

[Zygodactyl]

Check the slide stop. But I would try to adjust the magazine follower first.

 

[JTQ]

Here is a tidbit from Wilson Combat's FAQ page https://www.wilsoncombat.com/handgun-faqs/

Even though we use the strongest magazine springs in the industry, some pistols have such excessive tolerances in the magazine well–slidestop internal lobe area that some magazines will not reliably lock back on empty even when new. This is a known problem with some Springfield Armory pistols. You may need to have a gunsmith replace, polish or fit your slide stop for proper function. This may also be an indication that your springs need replacing.

 

[JTQ]

Any ideas? Worn hold open pin?

commonly known as the ...

Check the slide stop.

 

[CapnMac]

Remove the slide stop.

Test the plunger spring by pressing on it with a nylon punch. It ought to resist, but not be rock hard; and it cannot be like a marshmallow.

Check the rear of the side stop. If it has a dimple, this could be a problem if the plunger tube spring ends are conical versus rounded.

There is a possibility that the "shelf" that the magazine follower impinges upon is a few thousandths too short. That could be tested by getting a US$15-20 replacement slide stop and substituting it. (Note that is a solutions cheaper than sending the pistol back to the maker.)

There's also an issue which has to be broached for new 1911 operators--"Is the slide stop fully seated?" It's passing easy for the neophyte to not "snap" the stop all the way into the frame. The gun will still function from all the spring tension on the parts, but it wil not hold open.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

This is a rather recent issue so I am assuming it is wear and tear related. The gun was manufactured in the 1950's by the Argentines for their police so I cannot rely on them for a fix.

 

[Skylerbone]

My pistol does not hold open on the last shot unless I shoot very slowly.

I am positively bewildered by this statement.

I’d recommend free things first: Check you hand position, is your support hand touching or otherwise impeding the slide stop’s function?





Slip the recoil spring out, then retract the slide to the SS notch and toggle it a few times, to see if it engages smoothly. If not, determine if this is due to the SS or the detent. A few seconds with some 600 grit can polish the end of the detent to reduce drag. If a burr is found in the SS remove it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My pistol does not hold open on the last shot unless I shoot very slowly.

That caught my eye too. Nothing mechanical should be functionally affected by the speed at which you are shooting.

My first thought was also hand placement. A easy way to test that, assuming you are right handed, is to shoot it left handed and see it the slide still won't lock back when you come to the end of your magazine

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

ok, I wil try to shoot left handed. I thought that ( grip issues ) as the very first possibility myself too because I had been shooting revolver alot as of late and perhaps I was not making the necessary grip adjustment. So I paid close attention and I was not limp wristing, riding the slide release, mag release or anything improper.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

"unless I shoot very slowly." Frankly guys it bewilders me too!

I will also look at the notch for burrs as suggested. I will not have a chance to shoot the pistol again until Friday at the earliest.

 

[Skylerbone]

A few more things: are you using a shock buffer? That can arrest the last bit of slide travel and will shorten its overall travel by a few mm. Can you lock open on an empty magazine by simply cycling the slide? If so, what ammo are you shooting and does it match the recoil spring’s rating? Check the plunger tube. Scratch that, grab some of those little plastic dental picks and run one through there. Blow it out with compressed air, and use a single drop of 3-In-1 oil on either end of the spring.

Hope you find your culprit.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

One of my 1911's was doing that. I took a slide stop out of one my other ones. Put it in. And all was good. I still replaced the worn one. If you have another 1911 try that.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I had a cast steel slide stop wear out on my Numrich AO 1911A1 clone after seven monthly matches 20 or 30 shots for score most of the years for decades.
A proper steel slide stop for a Colt from Numrich Gun Parts fixed my not hold open problem.

 

[dman2112]

1. Replace the plunger spring.
2. CHeck the plunger pin. Over time the pin will wear and create a flat on the pin head. This will increase the surface area on the head of the pin and cause hangups. Just replace the pins.
3. Check the face of the slide stop where the plunger pin rides for any deep troughs or burrs. If so smooth a little and touch up bluing
4. Make sure your mag followers are properly contacting the slide stop ledge and pushing it up. Remove the slide and slowly insert the mag while pushing on the mag release while observing the follower contacting the slide stop. The follower should contact the slide stop without any strange interference. Then slowly let the mag go and see if the follower hangs up on the ledge of the slide stop or if it is worn, overshooting the ledge or riding up on the slide stop a little, causing it to bind. Good luck!

 

[Navy87Guy]

Will it lock back reliably if you insert an empty magazine an rack the slide back? If so, it’s probably operator error and your thumb is impeding the slide stop.

You can also let someone else shoot the gun and see if they have the same problem.

 

[BlankRow]

Will it lock back reliably if you insert an empty magazine an rack the slide back? If so, it’s probably operator error and your thumb is impeding the slide stop.

You can also let someone else shoot the gun and see if they have the same problem.

Well it could be a timing issue or the slide short stroking, but since it only happens during rapid fire, I'm inclined to think this is the issue too.