Springfield 1911 Ultimate Carry

[BuddhaBar]

Just picked up a Springfield 1911 Ultimate Carry. It's brand new, never been fired. Just wondering if anyone's ever had this issue...

The slide to frame fit is soooo tight, it's almost impossible to rack the slide. It's not the weight of the recoil spring, but rather it feels like it hangs up when the slide is in forward position. Once "breaking" that set position, it racks like a normal pistol. It's just that initial break that is ridiculous. The first time I did it, I had to hold the slide in my left hand, and basically throw an open handed punch with my right hand at the grip 5-6 times before it broke loose.

Springfield is telling me it's normal for a custom gun.....

Thoughts? I don't want to put any rounds through and end up not being able to return the pistol.

TIA

[himurax13]

Wait, are you talking about the resistance from the hammer until it is cocked?

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

[SoCalDep]

Totally normal and awesome. It’s called a hard-fit barrel and they do the same thing on the Professional which won the FBI SWAT/HRT contract back in the day. It will loosen up in 500-1,000 rounds.

[BuddhaBar]

Wait, are you talking about the resistance from the hammer until it is cocked?

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Nothing to do with the hammer. It's the initial lockup between the slide against frame/barrel.

[BuddhaBar]

Thanks. Going to do a little bit of Google'in now that I know there's a term for it. Thank you, thank you.

More advice or comments welcome. I've had many custom 1911's and this is a first for me. I know some of you guru's out there are all knowing.

[boopiejones]

When I first got my les Baer I had the same issue. I’ve since shot about 1,000 rounds through it. It’s still super tight, but nothing like it was when brand new.

[Rogerbutthead]

When it is that tight, do you field strip it to clean it?

Must be a royal pain to put back together - ? Just guessing.

I can't see me paying more than 2K for a pistol as my shooting skills just do not warrant such a nice piece wasted on my incompetence/incontinence.

[CifaldiPrecision]

[Chapped Hide]

Just picked up a Springfield 1911 Ultimate Carry. It's brand new, never been fired. Just wondering if anyone's ever had this issue...

The slide to frame fit is soooo tight, it's almost impossible to rack the slide. It's not the weight of the recoil spring, but rather it feels like it hangs up when the slide is in forward position. Once "breaking" that set position, it racks like a normal pistol. It's just that initial break that is ridiculous. The first time I did it, I had to hold the slide in my left hand, and basically throw an open handed punch with my right hand at the grip 5-6 times before it broke loose.

Springfield is telling me it's normal for a custom gun.....

Thoughts? I don't want to put any rounds through and end up not being able to return the pistol.

TIA

My advice is shoot it because you cannot return it and if there is an issue, SA will fix it.

[200Apples]

Normal.

Shoot it!

[Jimi Jah]

Lube it with Slip 2000 EWL 30 wt. and break it in. My 9mm target is still breaking in after 400 rounds. The mil-spec model broke in after 100 rounds.

The SS models do take extra rounds to break in. You see it on the ends of the rails.

[Mesa Defense]

[Illumi Naughty]

It's awesome to watch the LGS clerks try to check/clear a brand new Springfield FBI Pro, makes even the burliest of guys look frail and weak.

[BuddhaBar]

It's awesome to watch the LGS clerks try to check/clear a brand new Springfield FBI Pro, makes even the burliest of guys look frail and weak.

LMAO. I felt frail and weak trying it....

[Peahi2]

I've had two new purchased hard fit 1911s in the last few months (one is a Springfield custom). Everyone is right, just start shooting lol. My Springfield custom was so tight, it was crazy break the initial lock. Both guns run smooth now after shooting a bit...real smooth, so much so that I can't stop shooting them and the other guns don't come out any more!

I'm surprised no one has posted up the alchemy custom 1911 videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH0lIrLwy0k

You will also next want to know how to disassemble...that's the next video from them you will watch.

Just bang out 500 rounds and enjoy the gun.

You don't want to send your gun back and be the "guy who sends back the expensive medium rare steak to to chef in an expensive restaurant." LOL. I think there was a guy at 1911 addicts who was "that guy". He sent his gun back to Springfield custom and asked them to loosen the barrel bushing.