Rock Island slide lockback problem.

[hutch51]

Slide lock problem with a Rock Island (RIA) showed up last week.
The slide sometimes would not lock back on an empty Wilson Combat
Model 17 (now 290) magazine. It worked fine on a Wilson Combat Model
47.

The fix on my other Rock Island 1911 with a similiar problem had
been to get a Colt slide lock and install it. Problem gone with
both Wilson magazines and several other manufacturer magazines.
Still needs another hundred rounds or so before pronouncing it fit
for duty.

Ordered another slide stop from Wilson Combat for the current problem
child. It dropped right in but haven't tried it yet.

My Stupid Curiousity kicked in about that point. Checked the slide
stop position relative to the magazine follower after pulling the
slide etc off in my Colt 1911. Then reinstalled the RIA slide stop
in the RIA and noticed the magazine follower tab on the stop relative
to the follower was a little short. Swapped in the Wilson lock to
the RIA and a visual check showed the follower tab had greater
contact with the follower.

I don't have instruments to measure the dimensions properly so took
pictures. I used the same Wilson Model 17 magazine for all the
pictures. The Wilson slide stop SKU is 102B. Description: Slide
stop, 1911, .45ACP, blue.

I'm still an amateur at this stuff but this was interesting.

The Colt slide lock engagement.


The Rock Island with the original RI slide lock engagement.


The Rock Island with the replacement Wilson slide lock.

Based on results with my other Rock Island and these images the problem is probably fixed. A couple hundred rounds will tell the story.

Hope this works. First post.

 

[JTQ]

Nice work, I think you have solved your problem.

... an empty Wilson Combat Model 17 (now 290) magazine.

I've got to ask, how long ago was it Wilson Combat sold a Model 17 magazine?

They now sell a model 920 ( https://wilsoncombat.com/magazine-1911-45-acp-full-size-7-round-920-series-black-oxide-finish.html ), so I assume the "290" is a typo, but I don't recall a Model 17, though my Wilson knowledge only goes back about 15 years.

 

[hawg]

Are you sure you don't mean a Wilson 47 mag?

 

[JTQ]

Are you sure you don't mean a Wilson 47 mag?

I don't think so, because he specifically mentions 47 mags elsewhere, and the pictured follower isn't a 47 follower.

 

[hutch51]

I believe the mag I used was a Model 17, but could be wrong on the number. It has the folded metal follower. Had them for years, don't remember when I bought them. The 290 is the same but has added two drilled/tapped holes in the baseplate.

The Model 47 has the polymer (plastic) follower. They Just Work.

 

[hutch51]

Yup - 920 magazine. I fat-fingered it....

 

[Steve in Allentown]

Slide lock problem with a Rock Island (RIA) showed up last week.

In the off chance the problem presents itself again, wrap a piece of 320 grit sandpaper around a wooden dowel or other appropriate item and sand around the inside edge of the left side of the magazine tube. See the attached picture. I've run into mags that had a very small burr where the vertical and horizontal edges of the mag meet (at "C" in the pic). I couldn't feel the burr that was on the mag below but it was there and it was big enough to make the follower hesitate in its upward movement after the last round was fired.

​

 

[JTQ]

Several years back, Wilson sold a flush fit 7 round "Service Mag". It was a CheckMate mag, it was #608 in the Wilson line-up.

I don't know who's making the 920's, or 930's in Wilson's line-up.

 

[Riomouse911]

It looks like you solved the issue with the new slide stop. Once you get some shots through it with the 17 and 47 mags, let us know if it worked.

Stay safe.

 

[hutch51]

Slide lock problem with a Rock Island (RIA) showed up last week.
The slide sometimes would not lock back on an empty Wilson Combat
Model 17 (now 290) magazine. It worked fine on a Wilson Combat Model
47.

The fix on my other Rock Island 1911 with a similiar problem had
been to get a Colt slide lock and install it. Problem gone with
both Wilson magazines and several other manufacturer magazines.
Still needs another hundred rounds or so before pronouncing it fit
for duty.

Ordered another slide stop from Wilson Combat for the current problem
child. It dropped right in but haven't tried it yet.

My Stupid Curiousity kicked in about that point. Checked the slide
stop position relative to the magazine follower after pulling the
slide etc off in my Colt 1911. Then reinstalled the RIA slide stop
in the RIA and noticed the magazine follower tab on the stop relative
to the follower was a little short. Swapped in the Wilson lock to
the RIA and a visual check showed the follower tab had greater
contact with the follower.

I don't have instruments to measure the dimensions properly so took
pictures. I used the same Wilson Model 17 magazine for all the
pictures. The Wilson slide stop SKU is 102B. Description: Slide
stop, 1911, .45ACP, blue.

I'm still an amateur at this stuff but this was interesting.
View attachment 1178113
The Colt slide lock engagement.

View attachment 1178114
The Rock Island with the original RI slide lock engagement.

View attachment 1178115
The Rock Island with the replacement Wilson slide lock.

Based on results with my other Rock Island and these images the problem is probably fixed. A couple hundred rounds will tell the story.

Hope this works. First post.

Fixed.
100 rounds Remington ball 45ACP, two Colt magazines, two Ruger magazines, two Wilson Combat Model 17 (now 920) magazines. These all have folded followers. I did not use the Wilson 47 magazine.
Ran two rounds per magazine for 42 magazine swaps, no lockback problems. The missing fourteen rounds filled a Wilson and Ruger magazine for the final shoots.
Calling it good, back in the rotation.