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Old 01-15-2021, 09:27 AM
Dmoran Dmoran is offline
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The slide of my never fired sw1911 Billboard doesn’t always come back to full battery. I have to push the slide with my thumb to put it into battery. It does that with any ammo or any magazine. Photo attached. What can be the problem?
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Old 01-15-2021, 09:59 AM
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Disconnector binding?
Slide stop binding on lower barrel lugs?
Undersprung at build? Try a fresh 16# recoil spring (45 Auto) if you have one.

Consider lubing it up well and hand cycle it numerous times while empty. Guide the slide down by hand though, don't let it slam on empty. Then, try feeding some dummy rounds or live rounds only in a safe area.
It may resolve or you will figure out where it is binding. Can always send it in for service if needed, but perhaps shoot it a bit more before you send it in.
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Old 01-15-2021, 11:15 AM
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They were well built, great guns. Might be a little tight.

I would really detail clean any old dried oil or grease then re lube it. If it hasn't been fired then it has 17 year old +/- factory lube in there.
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Old 01-15-2021, 01:43 PM
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Long ago, I saw two Billboards at a gun show for $799 each, but did not want to be exiled to the couch. That regret was only surpassed by not buying a Model 686 with a non-fluted cylinder when I saw it at the LGS.
If above good advice dies not work, take it to a gun smith.
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Old 01-15-2021, 02:58 PM
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Lube it up and shoot some ball ammo.
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Old 01-15-2021, 05:05 PM
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Two things you said caught my attention: "Never fired" and "any ammo." First if it hasn't been shot you might have to let it break in a bit. Maybe as others said it just needs a good cleaning and lube. Any ammo? Factory or handloads? If handloads, then try some factory to see if there's a difference. And a final thought: Are you releasing the slide or riding it down with you hand?
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Old 01-15-2021, 05:48 PM
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I always ride down the slide with my hands. Never slam it.
This morning I took it a part and polish the rail, lubricate everything that need to be lubricated an put it back together with a new recoil spring 16 pounds. It did the same thing.
I removed the magazine and miraculously the slide did not stop. As soon as I put back the magazine and rack the slide it stopped again. Obviously the magazine is at fault. The gun came with Wilson Combat magazines. I tried with 3 Wilson magazines and it does the same thing each time. As soon as I press the magazine release button the slide moves forward to the battery position on its own. So the question is what magazine should I buy for this particular model?
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Old 01-15-2021, 07:42 PM
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It makes sense to ride the slide down only if the gun is empty. If you're loading a round from the magazine, pull the slide back and just let it go. The gun is designed to operate that way. It's no different than when it ejects and reloads as you fire it. Won't hurt it a bit.
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Old 01-15-2021, 07:46 PM
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Shoot the damn thing!
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Old 01-15-2021, 07:47 PM
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So does it hang up when you are firing or when you are loading it?

If you are riding it home while loading it, then it's you. Pull the slide back and let it go on its own when loading the first round from the magazine.
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Old 01-16-2021, 01:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmoran View Post
I removed the magazine and miraculously the slide did not stop. As soon as I put back the magazine and rack the slide it stopped again. Obviously the magazine is at fault. The gun came with Wilson Combat magazines. I tried with 3 Wilson magazines and it does the same thing each time. As soon as I press the magazine release button the slide moves forward to the battery position on its own. So the question is what magazine should I buy for this particular model?
My post-billboard 1911 from '06 came with ACT magazines. When I asked back then why S&W switched I was told they had problems with the Wilson magazines. I always assumed it was just a money-saving thing but maybe not. Mine is still unfired so I can't give a magazine recommendation one way or the other. This was the first I'd heard anything negative about Wilson mags, but I have heard that early ACT mags could crack at the feed lips, IIRC.
Mec-Gar mags have a good reputation and probably deserve consideration.

Forgot to add, Welcome to the Forum!

Last edited by toddimusnimski; 01-16-2021 at 01:42 AM.
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Old 01-16-2021, 01:44 AM
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It hang up when firing and not firing. After putting the magazine loaded in the gun, I rack it to bring a round into the chamber and it doesn’t come back to full battery. During the course of firing at the range, it will also do the same sometimes and I have to push the slide with my thumb.
It also does the same at home when I insert a magazine not loaded, I rack the slide and it also stop at 3/4. As soon as I press the magazine release the slide moves forward by itself to finish it’s full motion.
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Old 01-16-2021, 01:48 AM
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Thank you Todd for your response about the Wilson magazines. I was going to buy a couple of chip McCormick Power-Mag-Full-Size-1911-45-ACP-8-Round. I might have to buy also a couple of Mec Gar.
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Old 01-16-2021, 08:33 AM
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I have never heard of a Wilson magazine failing for ANY reason. the same with Chip McCormick Shooting Star magzines.
As a side note , didn't Wilson buy out Chip McCormick?

I have a number of Wilson 47D, Shooting Star, Mec-Gar magazines and they are all flawless for ME.

Randy
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Old 01-16-2021, 10:06 AM
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Is this happening with factory ammo or reloads?
It could be too much extractor tension causing what is called "stem bind" in the 1911 world.
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Old 01-16-2021, 11:37 AM
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I shoot only factory ammo.
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Old 01-16-2021, 11:46 AM
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Way back in 2008 I bought one and only one chip m mag . The mag was an 8 round power mag. The follower was all deformed manufacturing error, stuff happens. Bent follower and would not cycle.

I got a replacement but, as Springfield Armory mags worked I just use SA.

Might want to try a 7 round Springfield Armory mag for trouble shooting reasons.

Also do not polish rails ramps etc.

In general.
S&W use an external extractor. Check that it is clean and lubed too.

You identified the mag as the problem.

Can you see any points of contact that may be the cause?

Last edited by OttoLoader; 01-16-2021 at 11:54 AM.
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Old 01-16-2021, 12:12 PM
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Ok, so it is failing to go into battery either magazine full or empty - when firing and hand cycling. When you remove magazine it goes into battery.

1. In a 1911 the slide should not contact either the magazine body or the magazine follower. On a Wilson mag you'll note the follower is actually dished out at the top and isn't flat. I would look hard at the top edge of the magazine body as well as the bottom of the slide to see if you can find any evidence of bottom of the slide making contact with the top of the magazine. A little candle soot or color in the bottom of slide with a black magic marker might help identify if this is happening. It would be unusual especially with multiple magazines, but its worth checking out.
If you have another 1911 you might swap out magazine catch assemblies and see if the problem disappears.

2. Slide stop. Usually if the ledge is long and catching on the bullets you'll have a problem with the slide locking to the rear with rounds in the magazine. You'll also see the edge of the slide stop that engages with the follower will have bullet jacket material / copper rub marks on it.

3. Could still be tight lockup and or weak recoil spring. Puzzling with the magazine being removed the gun goes into battery but with rounds in the magazine the top round is pushing up against the bottom of the slide and with an empty mag the slide stop is engaged with the follower in the magazine and the top edge of the slide stop is pushing up on the slide. Either scenario might just be enough tension that is preventing it from fully going into battery.
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Last edited by dusty3030; 01-16-2021 at 12:19 PM.
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Old 01-16-2021, 07:09 PM
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Thank you all for your help. I did change my Wilson Combat magazines with Chip McCornick and went to the range. Absolutely no problems at all. I went through 150 rounds with no stoppage from the slide. I used 4 different ammo and the gun was shooting flawlessly. It was a real pleasure to shoot the gun. I really love it.
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Old 01-16-2021, 07:24 PM
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Dmoran,
Great that it worked out for you.

Did you compare the good mags Chip M to the Wilson combat.

Compare the magazine body and the followers.

Is there a visible interference on the Wilsons?
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Old 01-16-2021, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmoran View Post
The slide of my never fired sw1911 Billboard doesn’t always come back to full battery. I have to push the slide with my thumb to put it into battery. It does that with any ammo or any magazine. Photo attached. What can be the problem?
It seems to me one would have to fire a gun to see it's function.
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Old 01-17-2021, 12:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmoran View Post
Thank you all for your help. I did change my Wilson Combat magazines with Chip McCornick and went to the range. Absolutely no problems at all. I went through 150 rounds with no stoppage from the slide. I used 4 different ammo and the gun was shooting flawlessly. It was a real pleasure to shoot the gun. I really love it.
Sounds like your S&W 1911 does not like the Wilson magazines. Magazine issues create a lot of problems for the 1911 design.
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Old 02-08-2021, 12:59 AM
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Went to shoot 500 rounds since I changed the recoil spring and I did not have a malfunction. Here is how accurate the gun is at 15 yards.
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Old 02-08-2021, 07:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmoran View Post
Thank you all for your help. I did change my Wilson Combat magazines with Chip McCornick and went to the range. Absolutely no problems at all. I went through 150 rounds with no stoppage from the slide. I used 4 different ammo and the gun was shooting flawlessly. It was a real pleasure to shoot the gun. I really love it.
Great! I have 2 of the 47D & both were problematic until I swapped out the guts with different springs & followers.
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Old 02-10-2021, 12:37 AM
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Just got this toy and would like to know what year was the gun produced. Serial number UCK2029
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Old 02-11-2021, 06:14 AM
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Quote:
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Just got this toy and would like to know what year was the gun produced. Serial number UCK2029

If you call SW Customer Service they will provide ship month and year and the sku/ product code. I call them all the time to verify product codes on gun I may or do buy w/o the original box. The box has the same info.
CS number is tel:+1-800-331-0852
Good luck


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