Getting a 1911 Slide Stop Back In????

[Nate74]

I pickuped up my new 1911, a SA Mil-Spec, this past week. I took the slide off as per the instructions and oiled it up thinking I'd get to do some shooting this weekend.

But I'm having a devil of a time getting teh slide stop back in. It seems the little spring loaded pin that it contacts at thet top of the handle (don't know what that little pin is call) is in the way and keeping it from going in all the way.

I have the slide in the right place, lined up with the little notch, but that darn pin just sticks out a bit too far to allow the stop to go back in...

Is this common or have I over looked something?

Thanks.

[Fot]

The spring pin shouldn't hold it up.. are you pushing in with the slide in the correct spot?

[Nate74]

The spring pin shouldn't hold it up.. are you pushing in with the slide in the correct spot?

Yeah I think so. There's a little notch (not the notch in the slide that actually holds the slide back) that the manual says is what's to be used.

I'm tempted to take a small flat head screw driver and push the pin back in...

[Fot]

Thats the correct spot.. You can try using a small screw driver.. or maybe a dab of grease on it..

[Nate74]

OK, so a small screw driver does indeed push it in enough to get the stop back in. Sort of a pita though.

Will this loosen up over time?

[Fot]

I would give a little while to loosen up.. worse case you could trim a link off the spring..

[ojisan]

Sometimes the detent plunger can have square edges at its face, especially when new.
Removing it from the gun and slightly rounding the edges with a jeweler's file makes for easier stop installation.
I have seen a couple new parts that were a little too long and needed to be shortened a bit.
A little dab of lube never hurts, either.

[Nate74]

Maybe a couple hundred rounds will help... or at least that will be my excuse

[ThatFishGuy]

I noticed that with mine i have to kind of push up and in like a sweeping motion for the slide release. Since the inside face is somewhat angled this lets the detent push in smoothly. If using this method though you have to make sure the slide release is not in contact with the frame before the hole is aligned, otherwise you will give your gun a nice "idiot mark". I used to do the same thing you did with a screwdriver or the like, and soon found out about the way i just described. After a few tries it gets much easier. I hardly have to think about it now.

[Nate74]

So if I want to shorten the pin a bit, how do I get it out?

The SA manual doesn't go that far in the Disassembly Section...

[Cokebottle]

So if I want to shorten the pin a bit, how do I get it out?

The SA manual doesn't go that far in the Disassembly Section...

Remove the safety and two pins and a spring will slide (or fly, be careful) out the back end of the tube.
The rear half of that assembly is the detent for the safety.

On some guns, the pins are a snug fit and they will stay put when you remove the safety, on others, the spring will launch the safety pin.

[Nate74]

Remove the safety and two pins and a spring will slide (or fly, be careful) out the back end of the tube.
The rear half of that assembly is the detent for the safety.

On some guns, the pins are a snug fit and they will stay put when you remove the safety, on others, the spring will launch the safety pin.

Ooof! I may look for some online instructions. Thats further than I've gone on it yet as far as disassembly. Thanks!

[Cokebottle]

Ooof! I may look for some online instructions. Thats further than I've gone on it yet as far as disassembly. Thanks!

PRetty simple... especially on the GI/Milspec models without the ambi safety.

It literally pulls right out when held in the right position.
I believe it can be removed with the slide in place, but I haven't tried it.
Move the safety to the "halfway" position and it should pull free (with a little wiggle).
This will also release your grip safety.

[liketoshoot]

I noticed that with mine i have to kind of push up and in like a sweeping motion for the slide release. Since the inside face is somewhat angled this lets the detent push in smoothly. If using this method though you have to make sure the slide release is not in contact with the frame before the hole is aligned, otherwise you will give your gun a nice "idiot mark". I used to do the same thing you did with a screwdriver or the like, and soon found out about the way i just described. After a few tries it gets much easier. I hardly have to think about it now.

OK THIS^ in bold, also to prevent the idot mark put a piece of paint tape (the blue stuff) on the frame under the slide stop location

[BunnySlayer]

Personally I would not shorten the plunger or modify the gun. At least until the break in period of about 300-500 rounds is done. New guns tend to be a bit stiff. Make sure you are lining up the link pin and slide and such correctly as you are replacing the slide stop. I allways make sure to break a 1911 in before worrying about modifications.