Another 1911 Question

Glenzo

Glenzo

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I just bought a couple of STI 8 round mags for my Norinco 1911. When I lock the slide back and put the unloaded STI mag in, the slide lock will not move and release the slide forward.

The Norinco mags work fine and I am thinking maybe these STI mags will not function properly in a Norinco?
 
I think what he is saying is that after he has finished shooting he has to release the STI mag to release the slide rather than being able to release the slide with the slide release.

There couldt be a difference in profile between the follower of the STI magazines and the follower of the Norinco magazines. Norinco could have made the bearing surface of the slide release a hair smaller so it would not engage the front left edge of the follower. Your STI magazines should have a generous recess cutout on the left side of the magazine, forward of the lip, which allows the slide release to contact and push down the follower. If this is missing the magazines are defective, but I suspect it is more likely that the Norinco mag release is undersized. An extended mag release is a nice feature, and this upgrade will resolve your problem.
 
Boomer said:
I think what he is saying is that after he has finished shooting he has to release the STI mag to release the slide rather than being able to release the slide with the slide release.

There couldt be a difference in profile between the follower of the STI magazines and the follower of the Norinco magazines. Norinco could have made the bearing surface of the slide release a hair smaller so it would not engage the front left edge of the follower. Your STI magazines should have a generous recess cutout on the left side of the magazine, forward of the lip, which allows the slide release to contact and push down the follower. If this is missing the magazines are defective, but I suspect it is more likely that the Norinco mag release is undersized. An extended mag release is a nice feature, and this upgrade will resolve your problem.
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Thanks, this is exactly what I was getting at. I kind of worded the question poorly.
 
If I'm understanding this correctly, it sounds like it's doing what it is designed to do, namely; lock the slide open on an empty chamber after the last round is fired. The magazine follower pushes the slide stop up as the last empty case is ejected. If you don't want it to do that you can tune the followers or tune the slide stop.
 
relliott said:
If I'm understanding this correctly, it sounds like it's doing what it is designed to do, namely; lock the slide open on an empty chamber after the last round is fired. The magazine follower pushes the slide stop up as the last empty case is ejected. If you don't want it to do that you can tune the followers or tune the slide stop.
Click to expand...

Yes the STI mags do lock the slide open on an empty chamber after the last round is fired. The problem is you now cannot release the slide forward. The slide stop will not move. You have to drop the mag to release the slide forward. The Norinco mags allow you to release the slide forward on an empty chamber after the last round is fired.
 
Glenzo said:
Yes the STI mags do lock the slide open on an empty chamber after the last round is fired. The problem is you now cannot release the slide forward. The slide stop will not move. You have to drop the mag to release the slide forward. The Norinco mags allow you to release the slide forward on an empty chamber after the last round is fired.
Click to expand...

Well it's probably a spring pressure thing. But why not just remove the mag?
FWIW: because I compete I deactivate this function in all of my guns. The rule of thumb is; if it can lock open it will do so at the worst possible time. I learned the hard way having it lock open inadvertently and NOT on the last round in several matches, and finally got wise.
 
This will start a debate, but personally I won't release the slide on an empty chamber, it's hard on the hammer hooks and sear. If I'm buying a 1911 that's been worked I'll do it once to be sure the hammer doesn't follow, and I'll do it if I've had the gun apart (re-springing etc.) but between major teardowns, never. If there's a loaded mag present, go for it, but not on an empty chamber.
 
Paulinski said:
Never slam a 1911 on a empty chamber.
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+1

This will undoubtely spark a debate.

But every time in a gun store I see some "noob" drop the slide of a 1911 on an empty chamber as he tries to impress everyone with his knowledge & skill with 1911's, personally, I cringe...
 
Glenzo said:
Yes the STI mags do lock the slide open on an empty chamber after the last round is fired. The problem is you now cannot release the slide forward. The slide stop will not move. You have to drop the mag to release the slide forward. The Norinco mags allow you to release the slide forward on an empty chamber after the last round is fired.
Click to expand...

The fault, I think, is with the follower. I think you'll find that the follower is catching on the top edge of the magazine tube.

The easy cure?
Return the faulty magazines for credit and buy instead some new round-top follower magazines.

And never slam any pistol's slide on a empty chamber.
 
kokanee king said:
Pardon my ignorance here but how come? Ive done it a couple times with my Norinco 45. Never thought it was an issue, but now that you bring it up. Im thinkin whoops on me.
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Yeah, well don't do it anymore..... and certainly don't do it when you get your Colt .38 Super back ...... ;)
 
I found this after googling the slam slide issue:

ht tp://www.coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm

NAA......you have my word. I will NEVER slam it home with my shiny "new" 38 Super, unless im doing a function check on it with a dummy round. :)
 
I overheard some 1911 fans talk about this at the range. They advised to "walk" the slide home by holding it back slightly with your hand so it closes up but not with a bang. This lets you check the dry fire feel without damage. One of them also said he does it that way for holster drawing and first "shot" practice.
 
Is it possible the STI mags are designed to avoid slamming the slide forward on an empty chamber? For example, on the first mag, last round, the slide stays open and cannot be released. You drop the mag, insert new mag, and drop the slide. Kind of idiot proofing the 1911.
 
2fat2fly said:
Is it possible the STI mags are designed to avoid slamming the slide forward on an empty chamber? For example, on the first mag, last round, the slide stays open and cannot be released. You drop the mag, insert new mag, and drop the slide. Kind of idiot proofing the 1911.
Click to expand...
It's more likely a case of spring pressure on the follower combined with a tight fit in the mag tube and/or possibly the follower catching on the tube somehow...popping up perhaps. I can't know without seeing it. Either way though, it's immaterial. There's really no reason to be closing the slide on an empty mag, and certainly no reason to be slamming it closed with an empty mag in the gun. Just take the mag out, visually confirm the gun is empty and ease the slide forward, drop the hammer and you're done. If you want to reload from slide-lock, just dump the empty mag, insert a fresh one, wipe the slide stop down with your weak side thumb, and you're in business.
 
The mag does not have to be removed from the gun to proof it empty, (the chamber and follower are perfectly visible) and the slide does not need to be allowed to slam home simply because it is released with the slide release. The support hand should control the forward motion of the slide once it is released. If the slide release does not release the slide there is a problem. The fault might be with the slide release or with the follower, but if it were mine I would want my pistol to function as it was designed to.
 
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