1911 problem

[chris in va]

Posting for a friend of mine.

He just bought a new Metro Arms Amigo 'commander' size 1911. Apparently these are notorious for having weak mainsprings. Before taking it to the range, I noticed it catches about 1/8" before going fully into battery. A push of the thumb does the trick and we just figured it needed breaking in so we put about 200 rounds through it. Just about every shot wouldn't go into battery no matter what rounds were fired. It would 'stick' right at the last 1/8". We thoroughly cleaned and lubed the gun.

We took it back to the shop and my friend decided to contact Metro tomorrow. Apparently they usually send a pack of extra power springs, but that sounds like a bandaid for a deeper issue.

Ideas? BTW this model has a bull barrel, no barrel bushing.

 

[1911 guy]

The mainspring of a 1911 is a very small but stout spring inside the mainspring housing that comprises the bottom rear portion of the grip frame. Standard weight is 23 pounds*. I can think of no scenario where this would cause a failure to go into battery. A recoil spring, however, could be causing issues. That is the spring found inside the dust cover, under the barrel. Standard weight is 16 pounds*.
* weights are for a Government Model. I have no idea what they are for a commander size.

I would have someone familiar with commander sized guns verify that the issue is a weak recoil spring, then order a replacement from Wolff. In fact, order several at once. They only last between 1 and 3 thousand rounds, anyway, depending on the gun and load.

 

[Walkalong]

Most feed issues are magazine related.

Buy one of these, or one of these, and see if that cures it.

Add one of these if you think the recoil spring is too light. I would not go over 18 pounds.

Reloads, or factory? If it's reloads, try some factory ammo first.

 

[velocette]

The "bump" at the last 1/8" of slide travel in a 1911 is the barrel link going slightly over center in lockup. This is correct and as designed. What you seem to have is a new tightly built 1911. You can install a stronger recoil spring, or install a very slightly shorter barrel link, or just shoot the snot out of the pistol until the slide / link wears a bit to ease the problem.

Roger

 

[Greg528iT]

Sounds like it's a bit tight.. I'd take a bit tight over loose. Clean and cycle the action quite a few times.. a good barrel (bull to slide) fit can be snug.. look for wear there.. see if it grooves in.

 

[1911Tuner]

The "bump" at the last 1/8" of slide travel in a 1911 is the barrel link going slightly over center in lockup. This is correct and as designed. You can....install a very slightly shorter barrel link

No, it's not correct, and the link doesn't do that unless it's too long, and it'd be best not to dink around with links. The link times the barrel drop. Mess it up just a little, and you've got major problems.

There are a few possibilities on this bug.

Excessive extractor deflection. Too much of the tensioning wall showing through the guide block that the extractor passes through.

Tip of the extractor claw contacting the case in the bottom of the extractor groove.

Tight or short chamber.

Short leade.

Lower barrel lug out of spec and placing the slidestop pin in a bind with the link as it goes around the knee of the lug. Look for signs of hard contact there.

Below is an example of excessive deflection. Here, there's about twice as much of the tensioning wall in the way as there should be.

 

[royal barnes]

The Tuner has spoken! Take it to the bank.

 

[chris in va]

He bought a 18 and 22# spring today...I will report back when it comes in.

BTW he's using Frog Lube but I may put a few drops of my trusty Mobil 1 in there regardless. The barrel and guide rod have heavy wear marks already which surprises me.

 

[HDCamel]

Where on the barrel is it worn? Is the wear on the locking lugs? Do they look peened or deformed?

If so, it may be a locking/unlocking problem rather than a spring problem.
If the pistol isn't unlocking properly it may result in short strokes which could explain the FTCs.

 

[xXxplosive]

The Tuner has Spoken.........Amen.

 

[Drail]

Listen very carefully to Tuner. Individuals like him are the very best thing on these forums.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Metro Arms Amigo is not a commander size Its officer size 3 1/2 in barrel and commander is 4 1/4 "
The CCO Amigo frame and commander slide and barrel I don't think been released yet.

So if you got commander springs their not going to work.

You have a warranty I suggest you use it

Go to americanclassic1911forum.com and will find list . He's been getting good reviews

The Gun Doctor, 60690 Stoney Point Rd., Veronia, OR 97064
Tel: 503-429-7342
email: [email protected]
Call or e mail 1st he very helpful over phone with minor problems like this.