1911 frame cracking?

[itr1275]

I had a discussion with a friend about 1911's. He told me that there have been cases of 1911's frames cracking. This was has been attributed to dropping the slide without having a round chambered.

The only instances I could find:
- The 10 mm Colt Delta Elite models produced in the 1980's. Appearently the recoil spring was too strong (23 lbs) for the frame. This was fixed by removing some metal around the slide stop hole.
- I also found was on lightweight frames. This appeared to be from long term use, i.e. 15-20K rds. This caused cracking around the slide stop hole as well. This is attributed to hot loads and a weak recoil spring.
- I found a post on another forum, that posed a question about barely visible hairline stress cracks. He was concerned that this could lead to failure of the frame and it may be a safety issue. Another member reassured him that they were not a problem, but no cause was discussed.

This is the limited information I found from my 1/2 hour of research. I'm sure there are plenty of cracked frames from a variety of guns for various resons that I didn't find as well.

I have my doubts but I have to ask, does dropping the slide w/o a round chamber have potential to damage the gun?

TIA

[ohsmily]

The only documented case I saw was an alloy framed government size Kimber 1911. It was used and carried by an LEO and the frame cracked with repeated firing of hot loads.

[What Just Happened?]

A lot of people don't like to drop the slide on an empty chamber because of damage to the trigger mechanism. Either messing up a nice trigger job or causing hammer follow.

[smle-man]

I saw a bunch of 1911A1 frames that were cracked when I was in the Army; they cracked through the slide rail at the cut out for the slide stop. Of course they had an unknown # of rounds through them between WW2 and 1980 when I saw them.

[Mikeb]

I've got a Springfield .45 with cracks on the dust cover starting right at the the end of the rails. This pistol once launched a Ed Brown barrel down range at a USPSA match... I got a DNF. The lug sheared off. It was a "drop in" there may have been a problem with the length of the link. Brown replaced it though it may have been my fault.
I've been meaning to weld it, but welding 4140 is tricky. Requires preheat and postheat. One of these days...
take care
Mike

[itr1275]

A lot of people don't like to drop the slide on an empty chamber because of damage to the trigger mechanism. Either messing up a nice trigger job or causing hammer follow.

--> Does dropping the slide on an empty chamber damage the trigger?

Is this practice ok with 1911?

[ohsmily]

--> Does dropping the slide on an empty chamber damage the trigger?

Is this practice ok with 1911?

1911s are the only gun that I don't drop the slide on an empty chamber on.

[dgey]

why chance it... frame cracking for new firearms isn't an issue... Kimber alloy frames have been tested to 30,000 rounds with no problems or show of stress. Most firearms made today have great warranties regarding this type of problem.

[redcliff]

I have a Colt Combat Commander from the 70's with a cracked dustcover in line with the end of the frame rails. The pistol had about 15,000 rounds through it at the time.

I've seen this same crack in 1911 Gunsmithing books and they say ignore it.