Citadel...Do you get what you pay for?

[TnTzDad]

After reading a lot of reviews on Citadel 1911's and Armscor I decided to pick one up at Turners. It was an added bonus that it was $150 off. I shot it the same weekend I bought it and it was horribly off target. I sent it to Armscor in Nevada and they returned it four weeks later with a target showing it was perfectly sighted in. No details of what was done to it but I can see the sight adjustment marks.

I finally had a chance to take it to the range, with a friend, and was freakin embarrassed! The slide locked back every other shot! It didn't before and I put 50 rounds through it before I sent it in. I shot less than 30 this time because I got tired of resetting the slide. The piece was nicely oiled and the ammo was Fiocchi FMJ, not crap.

So what gives with Citadel...am I getting what I paid for, bottom dollar? I've owned four other 1911 brands and never had an issue.

[CitaDeL]

I think Im worth it.

[deebix]

I'd like to think I have the same model as yours from turners, got it for 499 a year ago. I have over 500 rounds through mine and it appears to be functioning ok. My guess is maybe you got some type of crappy mag?

[TnTzDad]

I'd like to think I have the same model as yours from turners, got it for 499 a year ago. I have over 500 rounds through mine and it appears to be functioning ok. My guess is maybe you got some type of crappy mag?

I got the 5" with skeletonized hammer and trigger. It came with two magazines and I bought a third RIA magazine. It locked back with all three magazines.

[TnTzDad]

I think Im worth it.

Who am I to contest that?

[Win231]

Yes, you do get what you paid for - especially with the 1911 design.

[Yellow Wing]

I've had mine 4 years come December. Never had an issue with it.
I have to go with deebix on this. At face value it sounds like bad magazines.

[boopiejones]

...I've owned four other 1911 brands and never had an issue.

“Owned” implies that you do not currently own any other 1911s other than the citadel. Assuming that is the case, do you think it’s possible that your grip has changed over time and you are pushing up on the slide stop causing it to lock back the slide mid-magazine?

To take that out of the equation, try shooting with a very low grip or have a friend shoot it.

If you do own other 1911s, maybe try swapping out the slide stop for another one and/or using mags from one of the other guns.

[inyocountymark]

I have a citadel for edc, a fine weapon and excellent shooter, I use a Wilson magazine, I have yet to use the magazines that came with it, I bought it NIB

[deebix]

After handling again some tonight, perhaps you are hitting the slide stop, I can totally see how that might happen considering the stops are (mistaken?) a little bit thicker on the citadels. I put a wilson combat compensator (cry me a river) on mine and really love the weight/balance of the thing now, even with underwood ammo.

[I Swan]

I've owned 3x Philippine manufactured 1911's one worked flawlessly other two sucked to varying degrees. I think I'm done with them and will stick to Norinco 1911's and Colt 1991's for my basic 1911 needs.

[Sailormilan2]

If you got one in 45 acp, it sounds like it has the wrong slide stop installed. If one for a 9mm/38 Super got installed accidentally, it could cause the very problem you are describing.
The "ledge" that contacts the follower in the 9mm/38 Super guns is longer than those in 45 acp guns. The longer ledge hits the fatter 45 acp rounds and gets moved up just as if the follower was doing it.
More than likely the slide stop simply needs to be changed. If you have a set of calipers, measure your slide stop and see what it is. Off the top of my head, the measurements for the 9mm/38 Super SS will be in the neighborhood of .430". The 45 acp will be around .4".

[Quiet]

I never had a bad experience (no stoppages/malfunctions) with any Armscor 1911.
But, I've also never used the factory magazines with them. Only used Wilson Combat and Chip McCormick 1911 magazines.

[TnTzDad]

“Owned” implies that you do not currently own any other 1911s other than the citadel. Assuming that is the case, do you think it’s possible that your grip has changed over time and you are pushing up on the slide stop causing it to lock back the slide mid-magazine?

To take that out of the equation, try shooting with a very low grip or have a friend shoot it.

If you do own other 1911s, maybe try swapping out the slide stop for another one and/or using mags from one of the other guns.

Owned, yes. They (Para Elite, SA TRP Operator, Colt 80) have all made their way elsewhere, but not all that long ago. Yes, I've analyzed my grip. However, I'm a lefty and my trigger finger is incapable of hitting the slide stop when firing. Believe me, I tried to find any reason for this to happen. The other issue is that it didn't happen before sending it in. Having emailed them late yesterday, I'm waiting to hear back from Armscor. Maybe it is the wrong slide stop (Sailorman2)...

[GM4spd]

The name alone would cause me to hesitate