Need Help On A 1911 Commander Project

[ZRXRICH]

I have an old 1911 commander project I would like to finish. It's an essex government frame that I cut the dust cover down to commander size. I still need to cut the recoil spring guide abutment .100 in. Is there anyone that can do this mod for me? Thanks Rich

[ZRXRICH]

I'll post some pis later , need help from my son to post the pics. The gun shoots great , Years ago I got a complete colt satin nickel commander gun kit less frame. Built it up on the essex frame , it shoots great , the problem is not all the time, but it will not lock the slide back on the last round fired.

[cdb2468]

For the slide locking back, it's usually one of three things.
1) magazine follower isn't hitting it. Take the slide off and reinsert the slide catch or whatver you liken to call it and insert an empty magazine and watch as the follower hits the bottom of the slide catch. If anythkng is out of whack here it will be obvious and most of the time it has something to do with this.

2) it's dirty

3) slide is short cycling. Meaning it's not recoiling far enough back either from too strong of a recoil spring or light loads.

4) another possibility is the spring and plunger that pushes on it is somehow interfering with it.

Last thing I'd check is with the slide on, if it is difficult to raise and lower the catch. Sometimes fit and other variables aren't there until it's fully assembled and its mechanical and has do happen fast. If it's hard to move remember the gun has to it really fast and any drag could slow it down.

As per your mod, you cut back the bottom of the frame and need to cut back the recoil spring guide? I'm not understanding what you're saying. Its probably just me though

[tr6guns]

Re- read, he said he cut down the DUST cover, that's the area under the barrel. Now he needs to cut BACK the impact area that is in front of the barrel saddle and Mag well..

[jinjyr]

Not always necessary to trim the area where the recoil plug sits for a commander. Build it and see how it cycles. Last round lock back issues were covered well by cdb

[cdb2468]

Re- read, he said he cut down the DUST cover, that's the area under the barrel. Now he needs to cut BACK the impact area that is in front of the barrel saddle and Mag well..

Just never heard it called dust cover. I mean it sounds more like bottom of front part of frame or some other long sentence describing it lol. And ok I think I get it now. Man that sounds like it needs a long end mill/drill that comes in from the front. I believe that's how it's cut factory and just has to be done further more. I recently realized that any extreme bizzare or seemingly impossible machining task is best left for kcscott, a well respected gunsmith here. I'm sure soon enough he'll chime in lol. I talked to him for a while and man he sure sounds like he can do anything.... Especially advanced machining maneuvers.... You can see his posts all over calguns (a good thing)

[rizihogp]

Build it and see how it cycles. Last round lock back issues were covered well by cdb

[kcstott]

How long you been playing with 1911's?? It's always been called a dust cover

And quit calling me a Gunsmith. I'm a tool maker that just so happen to enjoy playing with firearms

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