SW1911 E-Series rattling grip safety

[Brotherej]

I recently purchased the beautiful SW1911 E-Series. I took it to the range with 100rds of winchester pdx1 defender bjhp and 100rds of winchester white box fmj. I had no issues with ammunition. But i did just ship my 1911 to S&W because the grip safety rattles and seems loose. I contacted them on a friday, received a paid shipping label on Wednesday. I went to my local fedex/kinkos and they printed out the shipping label and gave me an unmarked box for free. I then called the fedex 800 number to schedule a pick up. They arrived at my home in 30 mins of my call and i shipped it to S&W in Springfield. Tracking the packaged, it arrived the very next day. Now lets see how long my baby takes to come on home!! I never had to send a firearm in before, so there is a little anxiety!!

 

[t-bird]

Smith and wesson will make it right. Thanks for the info.

 

[Badquaker]

This is not a knock on the OP, but I believe you have over reacted.

I checked my four 1911's. Two smith's, a colt, and an STI. All grip safeties had a fair amount of wiggle. The colt was the tightest ..... because it is one that I cut the frame and hand fitted.

As far as rattles go, did you check the trigger? Smith's are notorious for loose triggers that rattle like a rock in a tin can.

Is it any wonder that repairs are as slow as they are. As a business model, you would hope that they find someway to capture these costs other than pass it on to other customers.

 

[mkbruce]

My 1911 E-series grip safety was also a bit loose. A simple adjustment of the right leg of the sear spring to put more tension on the grip safety fixed it.

 

[lhump1961]

As busy as S&W is right now they have still been turning warranty work around in 2 to 3 weeks from what I have read. You should have it back before you know it. I checked mine and if I shake it pretty good without gripping it I can get a slight rattle but it's nothing I have ever noticed. I'm not sure you could get it to not move a bit...it does have to be able to function. Mags can rattle a bit as well but again they have to be able to move. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[TucsonMTB]

My 1911 E-series grip safety was also a bit loose. A simple adjustment of the right leg of the sear spring to put more tension on the grip safety fixed it.

This is not a knock on the OP, but I believe you have over reacted.

I checked my four 1911's. Two smith's, a colt, and an STI. All grip safeties had a fair amount of wiggle. The colt was the tightest ..... because it is one that I cut the frame and hand fitted.

As far as rattles go, did you check the trigger? Smith's are notorious for loose triggers that rattle like a rock in a tin can.

Is it any wonder that repairs are as slow as they are. As a business model, you would hope that they find someway to capture these costs other than pass it on to other customers.

Good points, gentlemen. As a somewhat experienced 1911 enthusiast, I too would have spent 15 minutes making the correction myself, rather than giving up my new toy.

But, not everyone is a 1911 enthusiast. Those easily corrected issues are truly mysterious to most people who have just purchased their first 1911. Fortunately, Smith & Wesson seems to understand that and cheerfully stands behind their products.

We may also have set a precedent in the revolver forums. I have seen several posts expressing dismay that any nonprofessional smith would pull their own revolver's side plate.

 

[Badquaker]

We may also have set a precedent in the revolver forums. I have seen several posts expressing dismay that any nonprofessional smith would pull their own revolver's side plate.

I think it is a generational thing. I grew up with tinker toys and erector sets. I have never been scared to take a gun apart.

 

[Brotherej]

This is not a knock on the OP, but I believe you have over reacted.

I checked my four 1911's. Two smith's, a colt, and an STI. All grip safeties had a fair amount of wiggle. The colt was the tightest ..... because it is one that I cut the frame and hand fitted.

As far as rattles go, did you check the trigger? Smith's are notorious for loose triggers that rattle like a rock in a tin can.

Is it any wonder that repairs are as slow as they are. As a business model, you would hope that they find someway to capture these costs other than pass it on to other customers.

This is my first 1911. I originally saw the E-Series at my lgs, and there was no rattling in the grip safety of the one I handled. I went back to purchase it the next day and it had sold already. I immediately went online and order one. When it arrived, I didn't notice how noisy it was until I put it in my blade-tech eclipse holster and started walking around. It sounded like I had on spurs. you could here me coming from a mile away. Being new, i didn't think loose, noisy grip safeties were the norm for 1911's

 

[Brotherej]

My 1911 E-series grip safety was also a bit loose. A simple adjustment of the right leg of the sear spring to put more tension on the grip safety fixed it.

The only knowledge I have of troubleshooting firearms is very basic... I'm still learning. The gun is so sweet, i didn't want to take a chance of doing it myself.

 

[Brotherej]

As busy as S&W is right now they have still been turning warranty work around in 2 to 3 weeks from what I have read. You should have it back before you know it. I checked mine and if I shake it pretty good without gripping it I can get a slight rattle but it's nothing I have ever noticed. I'm not sure you could get it to not move a bit...it does have to be able to function. Mags can rattle a bit as well but again they have to be able to move. Let us know how it turns out.

2-3 weeks is not too bad. Every movement made with it was noticeable. I tried to ignore it, but when my wife asked what that noise was when I walked, I knew I had to send it back. I'll definitely let you know how it goes.

 

[TucsonMTB]

I think it is a generational thing. I grew up with tinker toys and erector sets. I have never been scared to take a gun apart.

Could be. The timeless 1911 design lends itself to "tinkering" more than many of the newer products. Today's gun designs sometimes come from the manufacturer with warnings against detail stripping.

You have to give the original poster credit for his good judgement and personal restraint. My wife might be happier if I could do that more often.

 

[Ironhand]

*Shakes his 1911TA*


Nope, mine doesn't rattle. You could hear the safety on my old Norinco 1911 from across town, as it was really loosey-goosey.

 

[ca survivor]

My 1911 E-series grip safety was also a bit loose. A simple adjustment of the right leg of the sear spring to put more tension on the grip safety fixed it.

this ^^^^^

 

[Brotherej]

I just received my tracking info from S&W. My baby should be home by tomorrow evening, which would make it a 3 week turn around. Not bad at all!!

 

[t-bird]

Thanks for the info. Best of luck.