Academic question: M-1911 ?

[TallPine]

I only have revolvers right now, so please bear with me.

I have shot a Model 1911 in the past but now I just don't remember ...

Does the 1911 45acp have an automatic slide hold open when empty?

In other words, does a 1911 "slidelock" or just go "click" when you run out of ammo?



thanks, tp

 

[gringolet]

it locks

it locks back.

 

[shermacman]

It is supposed to, anyway...Mine doesn't after I warm it up with a few dozen rounds. The slide blows back and closes right back down on an empty magazine. Pop a new magazine in, rack the slide, and it goes bang again, just like it should. It just won't hold open when it gets hungry. After it cools down or when it is cold the slide lock works perfectly. Colt Commander in stainless.

 

[osteodoc08]

Mine doesn't lock back from time to time. Rather annoying when I'm doing rapid fire, but is a good training tool to assess and correct while under pressure.

 

[TallPine]

Okay, thanks!

I just wanted to know how it was designed to operate normally. I shot several mag-fulls out of one a few years back but it has just been to long to remember.

I'm working on a "novel" that may or may not ever see the light of day, and I have in mind a scene where the heroine picks up a dropped M1911 and shoots it empty to defend herself (this would be in a scuffle, after she has been captured by the BGs and she has been relieved of her own Glock).

 

[MICHAEL T]

If she had been carrying the 1911A1 she wouldn't have been captured

 

[dpesec]

Perhaps

If there were only 8 BG's.

 

[Sunray]

If it doesn't lock open when empty it needs fixing.

 

[BluesBear]

What Sunray said +1

 

[Kaylee]

If it doesn't lock open when empty it needs fixing.

I once ran across a mention of people disabling the slide release locking tab once upon a time.. I want to say it was an 80's thing, but I don't know for sure. Apparently the idea was to prevent accidentally hitting the release and locking the slide open in recoil, and was billed as a "serious gunner's" thing to do.

I don't know why or how it came into or fell out of favor, but it strikes me as a rather redundant thing to do, unless one is shooting with a high grip, left handed, and has big meaty hands...

 

[Lone_Gunman]

It is easy to fix the problem of the slide not locking back. Replace the slide stop.

Sometimes it can be caused when the follower on a magazine is worn out, esp if it is a nylon or plastic follower.