1911 not locking back on empty mag, sometimes.

[TJW]

A lot of good suggestions already. One additional thing to check since you bought the gun used is to check the slide stop lug to see if it is damaged or has previously been altered. Sometimes 1911's need to have the slide stop fitted. Perhaps the last owner took off slightly too much metal off the slide stop lug, which may not cause the magazine follower to push up the slide stop far enough to lock the slide as designed.

[Lead Waster]

I'll try these loads in my RIA to see if it has the same issue. I'll also load up more powerful rounds, the load I am using seems to be quite popular (200 gn LSWC or RN, 4.7gn WST) but it is not the max load so I have room to move up a bit.

The Wilson ETM's have plastic followers.

So many variables, no wonder why 1911's have a mixed reputation! At least with some other guns (ie; Glock) one manufacturer makes the gun AND the magazines.

Is it really a cycling issue though? I mean the other rounds appear to feed fine, only the empty mag won't lock back ... I guess the slide needs to go even farther back to lock on an empty magazine, but not as far back to feed?

OK, so I have a few things to try out.

Previously I used maybe two of the mags and cycled 250 rounds of factory 230 through it wihtout trouble, but that could mean mags or my weak handloads.

[keith1911]

The other thing that could be happening is one of your thumbs is riding the slide lock causing it to not lock open.

[Pardini]

On a side note, don't let your USPSA go to slide lock.

[Prepped and ready]

I use McCormick, Tripp and Wilson. Never a problem in any of my 1911's. I dont load at all. So as was mentioned, I wonder if your getting enough to cycle but not lock on last round? I have a TRP and have maybe 5000 rounds through it. I just maintain it and it has never failed.

The easy test is to run some ball ammo through it and see if the problem still exist.

[aplus1234]

I had the same issue with my Wilson 1911 when it was new. This was Wilson's response

This issue is not uncommon on a brand new gun. The issue relates to the tightness of the detent on the slide stop. If you can insert an empty mag and pull the slide all the way the way back and it locks open, then this for certain a tight detent fit. The solution is to continue to shot the pistol, locking the slide back, inserting a fully loaded mag, and releasing the slide stop with your thumb to load the first round. Releasing the slide into battery on the first round ensures a good engagement of the first round. It also wears the surface of the slide stop that is against the detent.

[Lead Waster]

On a side note, don't let your USPSA go to slide lock.

LOL, yes of course not! But it will screw you up if it doesn't lock on empty and you didn't count properly!

[Lead Waster]

Darn, I can't recall if racking the slide back on the offending magazine stayed locked back. I'll check that, and as I said, I'll increase the load and try again.
Good tips!

I don't think I'm riding the slide release, I typically haven't in other guns, but I'll keep this in mind. I also made sure I wasn't limp wristing (I'm not for sure, I had a mega grip on it, fired and ... didn't lock back).

Slide stop/tight gun. I'll try that too in case ... locking back then using release instead of slingshotting the first round in.

[Bill Steele]

My recommendation would be to upgrade your magazines with Tripp Research Super 7 kits.

https://www.trippresearch.com/store/store_1911.html

[1911whore]

Does it happen with factory ammo or just reloads? First if it is ammo related either shoot hotter ammo or reduce recoil spring weight. Make sure you are not limpwristing, second look at follower contact to the slide stop. new mags might help and sometimes tweaking the follower angle will correct this. it is hard to tell what causes the issue without seeing it but those are a few ideas. Before buying mags, check them on empty while racking to the rear, then do it with snap caps. If the gun is still new and tight, hand cycle it well oiled a few hundred times and see if it still happens. and keep your thumb away from the slide stop/release while testing just to make sure you are not influencing it. I would say it isnt a slide stop detent issue because the TRP does not have a deep recess in the slide stop like some of the semi customs do. BUT without a pic of the slide stop I could not say for sure.
Easiest is to test the ammo, then swap the spring with a lighter spring...then go from there, cheapest thing first

[Mossy Man]

you thumbing the slide stop at all?

[Mute]

Wilson mag followers tend to wear after a while and stop locking back slides. This has been my experience with Wilson mags.

[mjmagee67]

Easy fix, relaods don't have enough poop to push the slide back all the way. The fix:

Up your loads, more powder captain
Or
Lighter recoil spring. The factory recoil spring is spec'ed to handle +P loads. If you're shooting USPSA Major loads you might want to try a 12 to 14 lbs spring.

I think I run a 12lbs in my Government Model with my 170 pf loads but I shoot 230gr RNs.

[Lead Waster]

Thanks everyone. I can't get to the range until Monday with new loads.


Hodgdon site shows for 200gn Winchester WST, start load 4.6, max load 5.1.

I'm loading at 4.7, so I can safely move up. Probably do 4.9 and 5.1 and load it in the known problematic magazine. Since it happens a lot with this magazine, and sometimes with all the others, it could be a combination of weak rounds exposing marginal magazine springs.

[Rhyyke]

Since it happens a lot with this magazine, and sometimes with all the others, it could be a combination of weak rounds exposing marginal magazine springs.

I would say 90% chance that is exactly what's going on.