Quick 1911 question

[P.B.Walsh]

I was in a local gun store looking at Glock 17 gen 4s and some 1911s. Both are really nice handguns that I'd be happy with (already own a G26gen4). Still deciding though this is not a comparison thread.

Anyways, while manipulating three different full size Kimber models (custom shop, custom carry II?, and a desert warrior) I noticed a SUPER STIFF slide release accompaining each one. Is this a common thing across all 1911s? I was having a near impossible time releasing the slide with my thumb.

On the other hand, the Glock release was smooth and easy, with no stiffness/tightness.

I wil say though that the Kimbers was gorgeous, very pointable, and not much heavier (feeling wise) than the unloaded G17. Also, the trigger was ten times better. They were the best triggers I have ever felt on a handgun, or most rifles for that matter.

So are all slide releases THAT stiff or do these examples just needing a break in period to loosen up?

Note: I do not plan on buying until 2018, and if I pick a 1911, it'll be a series 70 (if that matters pertaining to release).

Thank you,
- P.B.Walsh

 

[tark]

Sounds like the empty mag was still in the gun. That condition will make the slide release very hard to move.

It is not normal in the 1911s I have handled.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Yes the magazine was empty as it was over a gun counter in a retail store. Like I said, all three were like that.

Granted, I know 1911s are much tighter than Glocks, but they slide home regardless if ammunition in in the magazine or not. So that's why the question was raised in my head.

Come to think about it, I should've popped the mag out THEN hit the release.

I really want to like a 1911!

 

[JTQ]

As Tark said, that's how the 1911 is designed to work. With an empty mag in the gun, the mag follower will push up on the slide stop, and hold the slide back.

Come to think about it, I should've popped the mag out THEN hit the release.

At that point the gun shop salesman would politely ask for the gun back and ask you not to do that anymore. That is very bad etiquette with a 1911, dropping the slide on an empty chamber.

 

[Reloadron]

This is one of those things where "feels normal to me" may not feel normal to you.

Per Tark when the empty magazine is still in the gun the slide release tends to be a little stiffer but I never thought of it being very stiff. That would be true of several Colt Series 70 guns I have including a few Gold Cup versions.

Overall the 1911 seems to be one of those love it or hate it guns. Those of us who love them seem to really enjoy them, I know I have for years and I have a habit of accumulating those older Colt Series 70 guns.

Ron

 

[MIL-DOT]

....Note: I do not plan on buying until 2018,
Thank you,

You do realize that we may all be shooting ray-guns by then, right?

 

[FL-NC]

I have seen new Kimbers that did seem very tight. I don't want to hijack your thread into a "who makes a better 1911 duel", but I wouldn't buy a Kimber nowadays. The quality/consistency IMO has dropped from the "old Oregon days", yet the price has skyrocketed on them. If I was going to buy a new 1911 today, I would opt for a Remington, Ruger, or Springfield. BTW- here's a summary of my 1911's, just to prove I'm not a "gun snob":
Kimber custom (1998(?)- when they made 2 models)
Kimber raptor pro (got in trade for for ruger M77)
Springfield NM from custom shop (early 1990s)
Springfield mil spec w/ novak sights
Robar custom Colt series 80 commander
GI Colt 1911
GI Rem-Rand 1911A1
Colt Delta Elite 10mm
Colt gold cup national match series 70
Colt 38 super (1963)
For the record, I prefer Glock

 

[rcmodel]

The point is though, nobody can tell anything about a 1911 slide release while it has an empty mag in the gun.

They are designed to be near impossible to drop the slide on an empty mag in combat.

Doing so could get you kilt!!

rc

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Good points, I didn't think twice about dropping a slide on empty, the saleman did it, and I do it all the time with my G26.

I'll keep it in mind though next time, I might try and rent both for a few magazines to give both a fair go.

Thank y'all!

 

[MikeInOr]

I have large hands and the slide release on 1911's are quite a reach for me unless they have extended slide releases. I always rack the slide to release it on my 1911's.

1911's are good guns and nice to shoot. A tuned 1911 with a crisp trigger is just a beautiful weapong to shoot!

 

[JTQ]

I have large hands and the slide release on 1911's are quite a reach for me unless they have extended slide releases.

Most right handed 1911 shooters use their left thumb to hit the slide stop and release the slide when they regain their two handed grip.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Interesting, I didn't consider a slightly different manual of arms coming from a Glock manipulative bias.

 

[JTQ]

Every gun has it's strengths and weakness. As an example, here's Larry Vickers on slide stop vs slingshot with the Beretta, a gun much better suited to the slide stop release rather than sling shot or overhand power stroke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LmjakoWKwU

 

[JTQ]

I didn't consider a slightly different manual of arms coming from a Glock manipulative bias.

The biggest difference is most 1911 shooters ride the thumb safety with their thumb. Just working it will be odd for the typical first time user, but a lot of folks have trouble with this.

Doug Koenig NSSF video on handgun grip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDzC6djUQxM

 

[JTQ]

Another video that may be helpful to the new 1911 owner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-1IZk1A28

 

[CapnMac]

. That is very bad etiquette with a 1911, dropping the slide on an empty chamber.

First I've heard of that in 43 years of 1911 use.
After cleanings, how do you check for hammer follow-through?
Dry-firing is a different frying pan dogfight altogether.
The slide closes on the barrel breech whether there is a round (or a snap cap) loaded or not.

And yes, there is nothing quite like how much effort it takes to overcome the magazine follower when a 1911 is locked open on an empty mag. The mechanical advantage of the follower is that much greater than the moment arm the release normally generates

 

[rcmodel]

If you had built or been around National Match 1911's back in the day?

You would have been slapped upside the head with a rusty bastard file the first time you dropped the slide on an empty NM tuned gun.

The finely tuned sear and hammer hooks take a beating doing that on match tuned guns.

It probably never hurt a GI issue 1911.
But it was still always considered BAD in the AMU circles I ran with back then.

I will Only do it too this day to check hammer follow while Gunsmithing one.

Otherwise, it is bad form to do it.

Rc

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Hop onto the Ruger forum before buying a Ruger 1911 and see if you really want that one. Great customer service from Ruger but they do go back, at least they are priced reasonable.

 

[9mmepiphany]

.

That is very bad etiquette with a 1911, dropping the slide on an empty chamber.

First I've heard of that in 43 years of 1911 use.
After cleanings, how do you check for hammer follow-through?

What you do after cleaning has nothing to do with etiquette.

Etiquette is, by definition, the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etiquette) So it is about how one behaves in public...it is really just "bad form" to do it in a gun store or in many formal shooting settings.

I certainly wouldn't do it with someone else's 1911...I wouldn't even ask

 

[Skribs]

When I first bought my XDm, I noticed the slide stop was incredibly difficult to release. However, when I went and shot it for the first time, I got a lot easer to use.

There are a lot of parts on semi-automatic handguns that, depending on what you're doing, may be easier or harder to use. My XDm, for example, it's hard to release the magazine with a full magazine in, because of the way the mag release on it works. If there's a single bullet missing, it's significantly easier, and the emptier it is the easier it gets. It's not a big issue, because how often do you have to reload when it's full?

(Similarly, I've noticed that putting in a full magazine on a closed slide requires a lot of force on the last few mm, whereas if I have 1 less it's just a matter of pushing it in far enough to click).

I realize this isn't exactly 1911 related, but it kind of gives you an idea of how things function. These are minor annoyances, things I would try to alleve if I were designing the gun, but nothing that keeps me from buying it.

You'll also notice that if you pull the slide back just a little, the slide stop will be easier to push down (especially if you drop the empty magazine).

 

[Zerodefect]

It's BAD mojo to drop the slide on an empty 1911. Don't do that.

I drop the slide after a trigger job to check for hammer follow, as a safety check. And then never do it ever again. It's not needed to be checked after cleaning. Just a regular function check is fine.

My Kimber is very stiff with an empty mag in. To close an empty 1911 with the mag in. I rack the slide back some more, depress the slide lock lever, then gently follow the slide home.

Kimbers may not like the slide lock lever with some ammo. Especially rough new Kimbers.

 

[tarosean]

You do realize that we may all be shooting ray-guns by then, right?

or squirt guns...

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thank you all for the information!

The reason for waiting two years is that me and my fiancè kinda have a deal. She tries to smoke less (and hopefully eventually quit), and I don't but a firearm for two years. She is not opposed to them as we are getting her a CCW this year (SW Bodyguard she likes).

Actually looking at 80% frames and full Caspian builds, which I think I'll go with a matched Caspian frame and slide. So I'll go rent a 1911 to see if I really want one some time. If I do, well I have two years to spread out the cost of parts!

 

[JTQ]

Actually looking at 80% frames and full Caspian builds, which I think I'll go with a matched Caspian frame and slide.

Just be aware, building a 1911 is not like snapping together a Glock or AR. Unless you are a gunsmith with all the tools, it is almost always less expensive to buy a gun already put together.

 

[agtman]

* * * The reason for waiting two years is that me and my fiancè kinda have a deal. She tries to smoke less (and hopefully eventually quit), and I don't but a firearm for two years. She is not opposed to them as we are getting her a CCW this year (SW Bodyguard she likes).

Glad to hear she's gun-friendly, but I'm not getting this deal on the cancer-sticks.

The only "smoke" I'll tolerate in my domicile is the smell of gun-smoke if I have to deal with an intruder, repel a home invasion, etc.

You apparently haven't had that "sit-down & talk" session with the honey. The cost of her cig-addiction problem shouldn't limit your ability to acquire a suitable pistol for self- or home-defense.

Free advice, just sayin' ...