1911 Slide/Last Shot Issue

[S&W629Lover]

My .45 S&W 1911 just started doing something different tonight at the range: the slide doesn't stay "open" after the last shot cycles through my magazines. It slides shut as if there's another round left, but all rounds have already cycled through. It does this on all 6 of my mags.

Any ideas as to what's happening?

Not sure if this topic goes under Gunsmithing or not, so I put it here.

[gaberaynes]

Try replacing slide stop maybe?? Usually it’s mag followers but since you stated you used different mags, I would start checking for worn parts slide stop first.

[BarrettM99]

Take the slide off and reinstall slide stop. Insert an empty mag and see if the follower contacts the slide stop.

[S&W629Lover]

Thanks gentleman, I'll check it out tomorrow

[splithoof]

Before doing anything else, ensure that your left thumb (if you are a right-handed shooter) is not touching the slide stop; this frequently happens when some shooters use a "high thumbs" position which upon recoil the left thumb very slightly rests on the stop, sending the slide home on an empty chamber.
If the problem was occurring with all the magazines you tried, it is likely NOT a mag issue.

[boopiejones]

Take the slide off and reinstall slide stop. Insert an empty mag and see if the follower contacts the slide stop.

this.

I had this same issue the other day at the range. turns out the shaft on the slide stop was dirty, not allowing the slide stop to cycle quickly enough to engage the slide when firing the last round. cleaned it up, added a little lube, and it's good to go.

[MosinVirus]

Any update to this?

[JTROKS]

I was cleaning my NHC Talon 45 and Springfield Loaded Target 9mm yesterday. Before reassembly, I grab the calipers and pin hole gauges to find out tolerances of parts. I was amazed to see the slide stop’s tabs that engages the mag’s followers to be the same shape and length. Maybe just a shortcut by Springfield Armory, but I have no problems with any of my guns locking the slide after the last round. I was gonna ask if there’s a possibility you installed a different slide stop.

Anyway, did you switch to a different brand of ammo? Maybe the ammo is a bit low on pressure.