I have arthritis in my hands and recently had a problem with my new 1911 slide release. I had loaded my magazine with dummy rounds to dry fire practice with the 1911. I inserted the magazine into the well, pulled back on the slide and it locked on the release. I tried to push down the release but could not do it. I was able to release the lever after using two thumbs pushing down on the lever. I took my gun gun to the gunsmith and he said the gun was working normally.

Is there a way to make the slide release operate easier. The gun was an Auto Ordnance 1911 WWII replica with standard mil spec slide release and safety. I have sold the AO and bought a Taylors 1911 WWI A1 from Taylors because they were on sale today for $350.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "I inserted the magazine into the well, pulled back on the slide and it locked on the release." Are you saying the pistol wouldn't feed a dummy round into the chamber when you let go of the slide? But instead locked open? I've never experienced that, but again, maybe I'm misunderstanding you?

New 1911s are somewhat stiff, and need some breaking in. Plus, that slide is under a lot of tension when it's locked back and it's putting a lot of pressure on the slide release. I know when I'm shooting, I can't release the slide using the thumb of my shooting hand...I have to reach over and release it with my left hand. I don't have arthritis...just a short thumb.

I'd be interested in knowing how long you kept the AO before giving up on it.

Sounds like a mag issue to me.

Another suffered of King Arthur's decease here. I also struggle with releasing my 1911s' slides and found that Wilson (or other brands) extended slide stop releases make the task much easier. They won't work in an S&W 1911 though - I've tried but S&W tells me only their releases will function in their guns. Don't know why but they're right.

Ed

Something is being overlooked, and I would take the gun, mags, and dummy rounds back to the gunsmith and have him watch what you are doing.

In normal use, you should never have to touch the slide release.

If the gun closes with no mag fine, and you can thumb down the slide release on an empty mag when you pull the the slide back, then we're most of the way there.

If that's the case, we can isolate it to either the shape of the rounds or the slide stop itself, and the smith needs to see that.

Eta: ya, it could be a flaky mag with bent lips too, the kind of force you're using makes it sound like you're having to fight a mag full of rounds with the release.

Best of luck, but as I said, you should never have to thumb down the slide release unless something is wrong.


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Not sure about that. When I empty one mag and insert another, I thumb the slide release to let the slide go forward and chamber a fresh round. That's normal use to me.

Pros and cons for the different methods

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=16608

For a regular joe who's not competing and not replacing parts regularly, thumbing down the slide release on a fresh mag can cause increased wear and fatigue. I would not recommend that method to anyone who is not flush with cash nor fully understands the operation of the gun.

But ya, if you've got all kinds of spare parts lined up and are more worried about speed, knock yourself out.

Back on the original topic, my point was that if the gun, mag, and ammo are functioning properly, you should be able to get by without ever touching it.


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In over 40 years shooting 1911's, I doubt I've used the slide release a dozen times.

Load the pistol by inserting magazine ( slide closed) and chambering a round by working (racking ) the slide initially.

When shooting, never shoot your pistol 'dry' (very bad tactics to do so): reload with one in the chamber (drop mag, insert new mag).

Slide release never enters into it.

I've been shooting 1911's for thirty years now and have used the slide release to chamber a fresh round after every mag. Tens of thousand of rounds. I was taught to never release the slide while the gun was empty but it was o k to do it while clambering a round because the brass is soft and will cushion the blow. And all my old 1911's still run like they did when they where new.

The gun is a newer Auto Ordnance 1911 GI model. I have put only 100 rounds through it. I would put an empty mag into the mag well, pull back the slide and the slide would lock into place. I tried to get the slide to go forward by releasing the slide release and nothing would happen. I would try to pull back on the slide and then let it go and the slide release would lock the slide in the back position. I also tried this with dummy rounds and the same thing happened. My local gun store dealer tested the gun and said it worked fine and he could push the slide release and it worked for him and said it must be my arthritis not allowing me to operate the gun. I was P.O.'d at the gun and sold it to the gun dealer and ordered a new gun, a Taylor Classic 1911 (Armscor made 1911).

I have been shooting for 40+ years and have owned many 1911's. I qualify as a Marksman in the Coast Guard with the 1911 and I know how to operate said guns.

I don't know if this applies to Auto Ordnance 1911s or not but S&W 1911 slides cannot be released with the slide stop release if the magazine is empty unless you have VERY strong fingers. When I bought my first one I thought there was something wrong and called S&W but was told it is by design (and probably why aftermarket slide stop releases don't work in S&Ws). I now depress the magazine release which allows the magazine to drop down a tad and the slide stop releases the slide.

Ed

The follower in the mag is what pushes the slide release up and locks the slide back.You would have to push down hard enough to compress the mag spring.Drop the empty mag and then depress the stop.

waynesigmeister, After rereading through this post a couple times, I think that I understand what you are asking. First let me say that most semi-automatics produced today do require a breakin period. Mateing surfaces have to wear in for smooth functioning. This includes using the slidestop. After a breakin period look at the stop and you will see wear marks. One at the rear face is where the slidestop plunger rides against the rear of the stop. The plunger has to move smoothly inside the plunger tube also. You can check both fits on a disassembled gun. You will also notice that the face of the slidestop is beveled so that it restricts upward movement into the locked position and aids in releasing the slide. Next you can look at the notch in the slide where the slidestop engages. Notice that the notch is slightly beveled. This surface and the top rear of the slidestop should engage smoothly. Did you try this same thing with an empty mag or another mag? You can strip the slide off and function test an empty mag. An empty mag should go in, engage the stop and move it up. You can look for any interference here. One other possibility that I can think of is that the lug of the barrel rides on the slidestop. Assuming your gun has the original link configuration, you can place the slidestop through the link of the barrel. Rotate the link while looking for any interference with the lug. It should ride smoothly over the surface of the lug. Next, assemble the gun, but do not move the slidestop up into position. Leave it hang down by the trigger guard. Slowly pull the slide full back then slowly allow the slide to move back into battery. If you see any movement in the slidestop,then it is touching the barrel lugs. These types of fits are what you are paying for in a custom built gun.
I hope this helps to answer some of your concerns. It has nothing to do with how you run your 1911 or how many years you have been shooting them. It has everything to do with breakin or knowing how and where to apply the proper stones. I don't recommend the latter without a good knowledge of how a 1911 functions and proper tools.

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I think the problem was that it was locking the slide back on a full mag (of dummy rounds(?)), so it was something other than the follower pushing up on the stop when using dummy rounds.


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Glad you're getting something you like, sorry about the frustration. I've had good luck with Armscor, with a little elbow grease they slick up very nicely. Hope you enjoy it!!


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i never use the slide release on any gun ever. i don't understand why some people think that is the only way to release the slide. i just rack it back manually. whats the big deal doing that?

What's the big deal either way. My Glock manual says either way.

I put the extended slide lock on my Auto Ordnance and it solved the " not being able to release the slide issue". It is however, a slide lock and not really a slide release for everyday use. It works well for quick combat reloads but I normally release the slide manually.
Just my 2 cents...

1) My hand span runs to the larger end of the spectrum, not palming a basketball large but quite close to it. Even with larger hands I have to use the thumb of my left hand to release the slide, from a normal shooting grip my right hand thumb won't reach there.

1) If the slide lock is triggered by en empty magazine that means that you not only have to counteract the friction exerted by the slide you also have to counteract the tension exerted by the magazine spring on the follower. I've been doing work as a mechanic/machinist for most of my life and have a rather high hand strength as a result and it's a bit of a struggle for me to release a slide with an empty magazine in the mag well on a 1911.

IMO your 1911 is probably functioning perfectly.

Suggestions.

If you want to release the slide with an empty magazine then push the magazine release and let the magazine drop 1/8 inch or so. Then you'll be able to use an overhand grip to release the slide gently. BTW, one common "rule" with a semi is to NOT drop the slide on an empty chamber. Supposedly doing this allows the slide to hammer home too hard but I really don't buy the logic of this. However, even if it doesn't make sense to me I still ease the slide closed when the pistol is empty.

If you have a loaded magazine and you want to use the slide lock to drop the slide use your left thumb. Quite simply it's a heck of a lot easier and you don't have to "yield" your normal shooting grip to do it.