Flaw in Colt Officers/Compact Pistol?

[azbob]

I have heard a few comments as well as questions regarding the recoil spring plug on the Colt Officers/Compact Pistols. Specifically, concern that the small "tit" on the plug could fail. The little piece of metal holds the plug in the slide and keeps the spring(s) from departing down range. (The factory set up utilized two springs, one inside the other, each spring coiled in the opposite direction.) Having recently acquired a very fine Colt Compact Pistol, I was concerned myself, but few people report actually seeing such a failure.
Long story . . . well, longer. The recoil spring plug on my Compact did fail, after only 200-300 rounds of factory ball ammo (Winchester "white box" from Wally Mart.) It did not break off entirely, but a wedge shaped piece broke off from the muzzle end of the "tit" and the plug proceed muzzle ward and ended in a canted position, requiring some light mallet taps to get it out.
Colt is absolutely no help. Second owners are not covered by their warranty (per their Customer Service Representative by telephone) AND no replacement is available from Colt or from either vendor they suggested to me.
Being a pessimist, I had already ordered the "reverse" recoil spring plug for the Compact from Clark. I installed it today . . . actually "dropped in" without problem.
Function test and 100 more rounds of ball demonstrated a functional fix.
I think I will also use a Wolff replacement spring (single) in place of the factory two spring set up.
Whadyaatink??

 

[MICHAEL T]

I think you have it figured out. my 2 officers never gave me any problems. I don't carry or shoot them much any more as I went to a Defender. Its a few oz less and I like better for carry.

 

[WC145]

What do I think? I think that's how it's been for years - some folks have problems with the factory plug, some don't. Those that do, or haven't yet but are proactive, replace it with the Clark plug and never worry about it again. As far as I know, Colt has never admitted an issue with it and probably never will.

 

[Drail]

I have seen plenty of the stock plugs fail. It was a poor design. Look at how much material secures the plug on a 5 in. and then look at the Officers ACP plug. If the owner shoots a lot of full power hardball or hotter it's not a question of "if" it's going to fail, just "when". This is why so many companies offer reverse collar plugs for these guns. I believe that Colt even changed the design for their Defender pistols. Keep full power springs in those guns and change them when they get weak. They eat recoil springs like candy.

 

[deputy tom]

Yes Bob those original plugs do fail, Your fix with the Clark's reverse plug will work. I recently sold my Officer's model and since put up some accessories up for sale on another forum. Included are the Clark's reverse plug and a HD bushing. The buyer of said Colt wanted the original parts as he is a collector.To each his own. tom.