Posted: 9/15/2007 6:25:58 PM EDT
| Well i just bought a NIB Custom ll. YAY!!! But when I have a empty mag in and go to push down the slide stop it is a MONSTER! It is sticking way too bad. Is there anyone who has experienced this? Or maybe knows someone who has or a way to fix this? Is this maybe a call to Kimber on Monday? |
That is because the follower of the EMPTY magazine is pushing up on the slide stop. You are pushing down on a slide stop that is holding the slide back under spring tension AND you are pushing down on the magazine follower that has a spring pushing UP against the follower which is pushing UP on the slide stop. Normally, you would not drop the slide on an EMPTY magazine. If with no magazine or with a loaded magazine there is a problem pushing down on the slide stop, then there would be a problem. I recommend against placing a loaded magazine and "testing" the slide stop anywhere other than a range. The safety will be off and the hammer back. If you do test the magazine release, use dummy rounds for safety. |
I hope you don't wait to go to the range to load your carry guns. 
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I was not talking about "loading", I was talking about testing the slide stop. As an armorer, I always test (and recommend testing) actions using dummy rounds. It seems there is an increased chance of a ND when "fixing" broke guns. I don't want to see a thread later "I killed my TV" or "ARFCOM Docs, do you think this gun shot wound is bad enough to go to the emergency room?". It's that pesky "safe gun handling" thing I taught as a professional firearms instructor!!!! |
There's no need to test anything. If he would use the controls of the weapon properly, it would function to his satisfaction. All of my 1911's exhibit the same "problem" when trying to drop the slide on an empty mag. In the interest of safety, though, drop the slide with no mag inserted...no range required. |
My original post was not for you. Believe it or not, it was for red_stick_voodoo, who MAY WANT TO "TEST" HIS SLIDE RELEASE WITH A MAGAZINE OTHER THAN AN EMPTY ONE, to ease HIS mind (not yours) there is or is not a problem with HIS gun. WITH my recommendation he do it in a safe manner, using dummy rounds. Believe it or not, I have actually seen people who shot reloads where the bullet for some reason, like not seated deep enough or using match semi-wadcutter loads, actually interfered with the slide stop. In that case, since it would be loaded ammo, for safety it might be better to "TEST" the action of a loaded magazine at a range. I have been through a number of armorer classes and build a 1911 or two... But what do I know! |
Perhaps you need a refresher then because the slide stop won't make the gun go off no matter how hard you try. Either it will load a round from a mag or it won't. It's no more unsafe for him to "test" his gun by dropping the slide on a loaded mag than it would be to load the gun normally from a loaded mag prior to carrying it concealed. Like I said, in the interest of safety, he can drop the slide with no mag inserted or, for that matter, he could also drop the slide on a mag with an empty case in it. In other words, he can find the answer to his question without waiting for his next range visit or for an order of dummy rounds to come in the mail. We should respect our guns not fear them. |
No, it won't. However 1911's have been known to have hammer falls when the slide is dropped. This is a problem with the 70 series type actions, and on match pistols can happen when dropping the slide on an empty chamber. I guess it would be IMPOSSIBLE to be distracted by studying the action of the pistol and fail to remember to keep the finger away from the trigger. I concede, it is painfully obvious you are smarter and better trained than me, and all this safety stuff I learned and taught is a waste. I'll be watching for your post telling about an AD you had, as you could NEVER have a ND... it would have to be some mechanical failure. I promise I will not post in YOUR thread when that happens. You have done an outstanding job of hijacking red_stick_voodoo's thread. I am sure he will be glad you put me in my place!!!!!!!! Just to make me feel better, please share your training and practical experience. |
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You know, you could just aim at a bucket of sand, or cement, or, a stack of books when releasing the slide on a full mag. Just in case that million in one failure happens, and you have an AD. Aim at something inexpensive Just In Case. I can't think of a valid reason to use the slide release. Just pull back on the slide to release it. |
The reason it is hard to release with an empty mag in place has been stated. You are fighting against the mag spring and the recoil spring. Further there is no need to drop the slide on an empty mag with the exception of function testing the hammer/sear engagement for hammer follow.
Any time you are TESTING anything to do with the loading and unloading of a firearm the use of dummy ammunition is recommended. Using live ammo to test this function is asking for a ND. |
I agree wholeheartedly when truly testing any function of a weapon. However, nothing needs to be tested in this case. He is simply using bad form. If he were to load the weapon as if he were about to carry it, it would function fine and his question would be answered. There is nothing to study or adjust. If we feel it is necessary for him to use dummy rounds in this particular scenario, then we should advise him against loading his weapon in the house because it is the same function. However, if he plans to load and unload the weapon multiple times to satisfy his curiosity, then I, too, would recommend an alternative method such as dummy rounds, or no mag in the weapon. |
Unfortunately for you, I don't use my experience or credentials as a platform to make a point. I prefer to present information that is germain to the issue and let others decide if it is useful to them or not. |
I love it when people come together in free, honest and respectful discussion.  (ETA: Spelling) |
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| I think BraddD's original point was missed by a few. Only to be again enforced by me and SBG. There's no reason to use the slide stop on an empty mag, and of course it's going to be hard to do. Whether or not you do it with a full mag is someone's perrogative, but it will surely change the pressure needed to disengage the slide. |
Who's SBG? 
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Some Big Guy? |
Wow I started some shit!  ... Well I figured the prob out.. thanks to all of you's guy's points! My first 1911 little different from the sig's and glocks i'm used to. And I agree I NEVER test with live ammo!!!!!! and definitely do not fear my guns!!!!  But thank all of you again! Just gonna take some getting used to the good ole USA made again, and might I add it's good to be back!!
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Sorry!!!!!!! |