Plunger tube makes me sad

[Glenn E. Meyer]

We had a single stack match weekend before last. I was shooting my 1911Sc SS Commander. On the 5th stage the plunger tube disconnected and jammed the gun solid. About 2000 Rounds through the gun. Took it back to the store that has a life time SW and is a SW repair location.

Smith said he had never seen that before. I did search and found that such does happen.

Sigh - I was shooting well. Just did a stage with all Alphas.

Do I need a backup 1911? Don't tell my wife!

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

We had a single stack match weekend before last. I was shooting my 1911Sc SS Commander. On the 5th stage the plunger tube disconnected and jammed the gun solid. About 2000 Rounds through the gun. Took it back to the store that has a life time SW and is a SW repair location.

Smith said he had never seen that before. I did search and found that such does happen.

Sigh - I was shooting well. Just did a stage with all Alphas.

Do I need a backup 1911? Don't tell my wife!

 

[BUFF]

Bummer, Glenn!

The plunger tube coming adrift is common to all 1911 variants that use one that is pinned and crimped in place, as opposed to one that is cast in place as part of the frame casting, like Para-Ordnance does. S&W's 1911 frame, like Colt's, is forged so this isn't an option. It's just something to keep an eye on. They usually get loose before they detach.

Out of maybe 20-25 1911's I have owned and shot a goodly amount, in .45 ACP, .38 Super and 9X23 Winchester, I have had them loosen up twice. One aluminum frame Commander, one blue Government Model. Both had over 10,000 rounds through them and the Commander was my duty gun, carried daily for about 3 or 4 years. So it doesn't always happen, it just isn't rare.

If your gunsmith isn't familiar with this, he doesn't work on many 1911's. I bet he doesn't have the crimping tool to put a new one on, either.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, it's wise to have a backup gun, ideally identical to your primary. "Two is one, and one is none" and all that. This is true of more than just competition IMHO.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[growr]

Having broken more guns at matches than you can shake a stick at....YES have a back up identical to your main gun. The guys in my club in Idaho Falls actually presented me a blue trainer 1911 as a hard luck trophy due to my having broken 3 1911's in one match!! We all had a good laugh on that prize..The presenter told me to TRY and break this one!!!
Randy

 

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Thanks - I have backups for my Glocks (horrors) when I shoot them at matches. But I'll to save up for a backup 1911 - sigh!

 

[LoadedRound]

Glenn

You might take a look at a bolt on plunger tube.

Evolution Gun Works

Good Luck
LR

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Glenn E. Meyer:
We had a single stack match weekend before last. I was shooting my 1911Sc SS Commander. On the 5th stage the plunger tube disconnected and jammed the gun solid. About 2000 Rounds through the gun. Took it back to the store that has a life time SW and is a SW repair location.

Smith said he had never seen that before. I did search and found that such does happen.

Sigh - I was shooting well. Just did a stage with all Alphas.

Do I need a backup 1911? Don't tell my wife!

Plunger tubes are a common issue with 1911s, and any gunsmith that "has never heard of it" is not really an experienced 1911 repair person. The solution is to have it staked on again. It may not have been tight in the first place, and then each time the safety was engaged and disengaged, it further loosened the plunger tube.

In any event, the fix is simple and easy, but it really should be done by someone with the proper tools (plunger tube staking tool) who can clean up the mounting holes and stake it on correctly. It is not a job for a person who has to ask how as it is easy to do permanent damage to the frame.