1911 Expert Advice

tHE FACT THAT THE MAGS DON'T DROP FREE means that there is probably a trigger bow issue. Maybe that is also causing the sear engagement issue.....

I hope it's just that, it would probably be the easiest fix of everything mentioned here.

Of course, it could be that as well as something to do with engagement.

It's a good thing that the 1911 is an enthusiast's pistol - Once the time is taken to sort out the kinks with your snowflake, your enthusiasm should be off the charts!
 
tHE FACT THAT THE MAGS DON'T DROP FREE means that there is probably a trigger bow issue. Maybe that is also causing the sear engagement issue.

I will report back when it is resolved.

Heck it could not even be the trigger bow, since you are fixated on it being the problem. I still think maybe the mag catch is the problem with it not dropping free..

https://www.1911forum.com/threads/mags-dont-drop-free.85522/

Make sure the grip screw isn't protruding into the mag well...any scratches on the troublesome magazine?

A magazine sticking in not uncommon, particularly in a new pistol. More than likely the magazine that sticks is just ever so slightly larger than the other one. With time and wear this magazine will fall out just as easily as the other magazine.

If you would like to see how the fit is do the following.

1. Insert the magazine into the pistol slowly until you feel it touch the magazine release. Back it out slightly, then let it go. Does it fall free, or does it stick? Did it drag at all when you inserted it? If it falls free, then the issue is how it rubs against the mag release, and this will wear down fairly quickly.

2. Go to the maintenance section and look up how to remove the magazine release. It is really easy and all you need is a small flat tip screwdriver. Remove the mag release and repeat 1 above inserting the magazine all the way. If the magazine falls free then the issue really was the mag release and as note above will wear in fairly quickly. If the magazine still sticks, or drags on insertion, then the magazine might be a little wide. Though this also usually wears in fairly quickly, and cleaning the magazine and the mag well in the pistol might help. Also, After a few range sessions if you see marks where the magazine drags inside the pistol, a few light strokes on the magazine with some fine sandpaper may do the trick. Just be sure to disassemble and clean the magazine if you do this.

If on the other hand there is some difficulty inserting the magazine, or removing it, particularly with the mag release removed, the magazine is probably really wide for this pistol. This would be a case of tollerance stack where the magazine well is machined to the minimum tollerance and the magazine is made to the maximum tollerance. This is not too common, but it does happen. In this case replacing the magazine, or dedicating it to another 1911 (there is always another 1911) is probably a good idea.
 
Glad you solved it. Moving forward, remove that silly screw altogether. The screw is just another solution to a non existing problem. Stupid idea intended to adjust a poorly tuned gun.
 
Glad you solved it. Moving forward, remove that silly screw altogether. The screw is just another solution to a non existing problem. Stupid idea intended to adjust a poorly tuned gun.

The screw is fairly stiff. I will put a dab of blue LokTite on it.

The mags do not drop free. Not a big issue on a target gun, but I will take it apart and tune the bow (and polish if required).
 
I have run into that problem on a couple guns, people set them so close that you can run into problems, also On Hi Standard target guns , with adjustable triggers, people start turning screws and not knowing what the results can be.
On the mag, take a felt marker and paint the sides of the mag, insert and work the trigger a few times , and take the mag out and see if you see rub marks from the trigger bow ,or the mag release on the marker.. Give you a idea where the problem is.
Cleaner, paint thinner will clean off the marker stuff.
 
I have run into that problem on a couple guns, people set them so close that you can run into problems, also On Hi Standard target guns , with adjustable triggers, people start turning screws and not knowing what the results can be.
On the mag, take a felt marker and paint the sides of the mag, insert and work the trigger a few times , and take the mag out and see if you see rub marks from the trigger bow ,or the mag release on the marker.. Give you a idea where the problem is.
Cleaner, paint thinner will clean off the marker stuff.

I was just packing up the 1911 for range session tomorrow and discovered the mags now drop free. I don't know enough about the guts of a 1911 to see how the overtravel stressed it enough to jam the mag.

Anyway, the pistol now works just fine.

Thanks everyone for all the help.
 
Trigger bow goes right round the mag well, so in principle could have been rubbing front or back, not just left or right.
 
the trigger stop screw sets overtravel of the trigger ( target gun thing), should have no effect on mag drop, unless it was somehow putting pressure on trigger bow.
It could ,if you hold the trigger back while dropping the mag, or putting side pressure on the trigger.
 
I was just packing up the 1911 for range session tomorrow and discovered the mags now drop free. I don't know enough about the guts of a 1911 to see how the overtravel stressed it enough to jam the mag.

Anyway, the pistol now works just fine.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

You could theoretically stress the trigger bow enough with the set screw to distort it. Never come across it, but I can see how it could happen. Bought a GC once where they had replaced the regular set screw with one close to twice as long. Not sure why. - dan
 
i SHOT A SAMPLE OF ALL THE OLD 45acp i HAD LAYING AROUND. The gun felt very good in the hand. Trigger was about perfect.

I will try the DRG 200 lead SWC, the DRG lead 225 and the CamPro 230 plated RN.

I think I will use a faster powder, like VHT 320 for the next survey.
 
Back
Top Bottom