The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: gunman42782 on January 30, 2013, 12:55:39 PM
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Went to the range today, shooting my Colt and Kimber 1911s. (Also the Mini 30, but that is not germane to the plot.) While shooting my Colt, I had what I thought was a ammo issue. Slide wouldn't go all the way forward. Took out the mag and the round in question. Tried again to rack slide, same result. So, took out mag and round again, and tried to let slide forward and it would not go. Upon examination the little block in the back of the slide that holds the fireing pin in had dropped down, preventing the slide from going forward. So, I shoved it back in place shot a mag or two more through it, and it did it again. When I took out the mag and racked the slide back, the damn fireing pin and spring and the plate all fell out! So, put it back in, shot some more with no more issues, but I was about out of ammo by then. Never have had this happen in over 25 years of shooting 1911s. I am either going to buy another plate or try and dimple this one so it wont fall out. Just goes to show, anything can happen. Just glad it happened on the range and not when I needed it! By the way, the Kimber was just fine with no issues at all.
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I didn't know that was even possible. ???
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I don't think the plate is the prob. Check your firing pin and the spring
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I don't think the plate is the prob. Check your firing pin and the spring
I ordered a new plate, and while I was at it, a new firing pin and spring. The plate comes out way too easy. The one on my Kimber has to be driven out, this one just slides right on out. Anyway, hopefully a new one will fix the problem.
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I believe you have ordered the correct parts. However, I would also inspect the slide and firing pin plunger for burrs or damage where the firing pin and spring live. The firing pin stop is held in place by the firing pin and the spring tension on the pin.
Good thing you had two spares along to play with ;)
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The little plate that retains the firing pin, should never have to be "driven" out. Should it?
I don't see how the plate could fall out unless, the firing pin or spring was broken. Now I guess if the firing pin were too short, it could, during recoil, be driven forward far enough to release the plate. But that points to the spring that light enough to allow that to happen. Or maybe the spring has become fatigued and isn't doing it's job properly.
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The little plate that retains the firing pin, should never have to be "driven" out. Should it?
I don't see how the plate could fall out unless, the firing pin or spring was broken. Now I guess if the firing pin were too short, it could, during recoil, be driven forward far enough to release the plate. But that points to the spring that light enough to allow that to happen. Or maybe the spring has become fatigued and isn't doing it's job properly.
Alf is right.
You should not have to "drive" anything except pins and dovetailed sights.
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Also check that the fp does not stick in the hole in the breech face. I have seen it stick just long enough that the stop drops down! My gs drills and taps a hole on the side of the slide so that a small allen screw can be used to hold the stop in. Might be worth a look see.
FWIW
Richard
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Alf is right.
You should not have to "drive" anything except pins and dovetailed sights.
I think you're both right. Could be the stop is on the 'fat' side of specs and the slide on the 'thin' side of specs. Either way the stop should fit better.
I've never had one that didn't just slide out - but like gunmans previous experience, I've never had one slide out on it's own either.
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The little plate that retains the firing pin, should never have to be "driven" out. Should it?
I mean someone could make it a tight fit. But that would be very difficult to remove since you'd have to hold the firing pin in with a punch while you used another punch and hammer to "drive" the plate down. A job requiring either four hands or a vice and 3.
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My plate has not made a noticeable change in 10 years. I use a small pin to push the firing pin forward, and a small screwdriver to slide the stop down. It slides back up into place with firm finger pressure. The stop will stay in place through friction fit without the firing pin in place.
Saturday bath night* is just around the corner, so I will pay closer attention to this area and let you know if I come across anything I am missing or not remembering correctly.
* Saturday bath night is what I call my Saturday evening ritual of maintaining my carry guns and accessories. Every Saturday evening the three guns get stripped down and cleaned and lubed, the magazines get a complete cleaning, and ammunition gets cleaned up as well.
The J Frame is pretty simple, because this gun's life is mostly in the cubby hole of the pick up with limited pocket time; the 1911 has quite a pit of IWB holster time and the magazines get lots of pocket time; and the LCP and its magazines live in the pocket - If I have my pants on the gun is in them.
I could knit sweaters with the lint these things attract over time. Even in leather it is shocking what and where you collect. Also, many people do not understand the moisture our clothes collect and transfer to anything contained in them!
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I had it happen with my first 1911. It was an old military Colt and the firing pin got stuck in the breech-face pin hole like Ellis was talking about. A rat-tail file solved that issue.
I could see a 'possible' (but not probable) issue with the Colt Series 80 if the pin block system bound up while the pin was in the forward (primer strike) position of its movement, but too many things would have to happen at the same time for that.
As to the whole fit issue, I have never had to exert pressure to remove the firing pin stop on any of my 1911's.
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Fwiw jmb designed the 1911 so it could be completly field striped with parts of the gun/ 45 acp rounds/shells.
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check that the firing pin spring is not reversed... one end is closed, and is designed to be held by friction to the firing pin...it will trap the firing pin forward (as will a tight firing pin hole) ....an oversized firing pin stop is a good addition, as it additionally keeps the extractor from rotating
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Got my new pin, spring, and plate from Midway, and shot the Colt again today with no issues.
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Got my new pin, spring, and plate from Midway, and shot the Colt again today with no issues.
Outstanding!!! :D
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Great news! Now you have a good gun, and the satisfaction of maintaining it yourself ;D
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BTDT ;D