Problem with a Springfield 1911A1

[tlarson]

I was at the range today shooting my 45 Cal 1911 when it just seized up. The slide will only move about 1/16", and of course there is a live round on the chamber!
Any ideas on how to get the slide to release before I call Springfield?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[DVSmith]

OK, forgive me for asking, but I have helped experienced shooters who just didn't notice they flicked on the safety while shooting and suddenly can't cycle the firearm.

The fact that you have a live round in the chamber makes me a bit concerned about messing with it. Do you have a safe place to point the firearm in the even it fires? If not, best to take it to the range or a gunsmith and ask for help.

[DVSmith]

Oh, and welcome to CalGuns!! Nice to have you here.

[keenkeen]

OK, forgive me for asking, but I have helped experienced shooters who just didn't notice they flicked on the safety while shooting and suddenly can't cycle the firearm.

The fact that you have a live round in the chamber makes me a bit concerned about messing with it. Do you have a safe place to point the firearm in the even it fires? If not, best to take it to the range or a gunsmith and ask for help.

I've seen this...its simple but worth checking.

[tlarson]

Thanks DV, I cocked the hammer and fired it multiple times at the range and it would not discharge, it could have an already fired round in the chamber but I do not know so I am treating it as loaded

[gono]

Full length guide rod? You don't remember if the rnd fired or not?

[BoJackUSMC]

Can you post some pictures so we can actually see the issue.
Be safe and welcome to the calgun.

[mossy]

pics would help.

[tlarson]

I'll post in pick in a little bit but you cannot tell anything is wrong, the slide is fully closed and locked up

[MA2]

Please use a mirror to look/take pic down the barrel, you never know.

Oh, and welcome to CG.

[AeroEngi]

Just guessing here but maybe there's a burr or machine mark in the chamber that's not letting the extractor pull the round out?

[tlarson]

Yes I verified (with a mirror) that a live round is in the chamber, so either the firing pin is damaged, a faulty primer or dead round. None of which would explain the locked up slide.

[FXR]

Is this a brand new gun or has it functioned properly in the past? Any chance you missed the barrel link on reassembly? Does the barrel start to unlock when the slide moves that 1/16"? Maybe use a dowel to measure how far the round is seated, make sure it's not a squib. Just to clarify, you fired X rounds successfully, including the one prior to the stuck one, and then had NO sound/firing, right?

If you have a drill, you could drill out the slide stop from the left side, so you can punch it through the frame and pull off the slide. It should be easy to do and a new slide stop is not too expensive.

Stay safe.