Should a 1911A1 lock open on empty?

schick

schick

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I noticed today while testing my Norinco 1911A1 clone, that after firing the last round, the slide travels home. Shouldn't the slide lock open on an empty mag?

I'm trying to recall if it ever did, but honestly never really paid attention to that until today. I wonder if my refinishing job (Armacoat) has caused this.
 
Yes, it should lock back after the last round. That is a common problem with Norinco 1911's. My son's does the same thing. It was an ARMCO prepped Norinco as well. Although he sent it back, it still does it. Send it back, and keep sending it back, until they get it right.
 
It can only be 2 things.The mag follower or the slide stop. Or both. Check how the magazine acts with the slide stop.
 
Another possibility may be the ammo, unless you are using factory loads. Some light loads will cycle the action, but are not quite heavy enough to push the slide back to lock. Limp wristing can cause this as well. With gun and mag empty, pull the slide back and see if it locks back.
 
If the problem persists with aftermarket mags and several shooters and after changing ammo, then you can blame the gun.

If you insert an empty mag into the pistol and pull the slide back does the slide lock open?
 
So I thought I would try with all my mags (empty). Sadly, I only own 4 mags.

While testing at the range I was simply reloading the same mag over and over. Now I find that while sitting here and reading this post, the slide locks open on only one of the 4 Norinco mags. Hmmmmm??? Interesting. I can't really tell the difference between the 4 mags. They all look identical.

Is it a mag issue? I can't test with aftermarket mags, as I am cheap and don't own any. (know where I can get good cheap ones?)

I also don't know how a 1911 operates in enough detail to understand what actually causes a magazine to lock a slide open.
 
There's a lower tab on the floor of the mags that lifts the slide lock once the last round is chambered. If it's not up high enough then it won't lift it enough. Or it could be your slide lock finger that sticks into the mag well isn't the right shape. Or maybe your magazine springs aren't strong enough to lift the lock. You can test this by taking off the slide and barrel and then put the slide lock back in. Now insert the mags and see how much the good mag lifts the slide lock. Compare that to the others. With the slide and barrel off the gun you'll see how the magazine lifts the slide lock.
 
there are 4 reasons it does lock back under normal use...
1) the slide stop has a problem (the tooth is bad /broken or cannot lift up, stuck in the barrel...( weird mags)
2) the slide itself has a problem
3) the magazine does not lift the slide stop (bad follower, weak mag spring)
4) the slide does not come all the way back (weak ammo, strong spring)

Start doing some tests
with the slide in battery (NO AMMO)
insert an empty mag...

Did I say empty mag no ammo :)


does the slide come back with reasonable pressure
does it lock back?

does the slide lock engage well in the slide stop or just barely
you should actually be able to watch and see the slide stop pop up as it comes back....

Try different mags...

If it's not engaging can you manually engage the slide stop without too much pressure ..
Is the slide stop rotating freely?
you might add a drop of oil on the barrel link does the barrel link itself rotate freely

Oil is not your enemy in working things out.. It can be a bad thing in use or in dusty/dirty environments..

Is the slide stop pin in plunger tube OK?


If you don't know what the parts are
#3 is the barrel link..

colt-gov.gif
 
Thanks guys. As it seems to work for one mag and not others, I am starting to se a relation there. On one mag that didn't lock the slide open, I press teh mag up very hard and it did then work. I wonder then if it is the lower tab on the followers.

As for the link, As I have just rebuilt the Norinco after an Armacoat fininshing, all parts are well lubed. I will apply a few more drops just in case.

1851:

No buffer.

BCRider:

I'll try your tests without the spring.

bear.23:

I already established if the slide locks back properly or not. Only with 1 of 4 mags. I'll recheck the link to be sure everything moves in smoothly. As for the plunger tube and pin, it seems fine, although I removed it to lube it, I couldn't recall which direction it went back in. Does it matter which end faces the muzzle? Perhaps that is my issue.
 
I should do a better job of describing the last few lines I posted. I can't tell the difference between the slide stop plunger and the safety catch plunger.
 
I had them in correctly.

Everything is smooth and lubed,

I did find that holding mags in really tight makes a difference. Maybe I just need to find some 3rd party mags and test my Norc further.
 
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