Micro Compact Question?????? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

TxPhantom · 01-03-2007, 06:04 PM

Got a question for the S.A 1911 experts here. My wife got bit by the 1911 bug. When we went to the range last weekend she rented a Kimber compact to test fire and to see if she likes it. She loved it. Had no problem jacking a round in the chamber but didn't think about trying to lock back the slide since it automatically locked back after the last round was fired. When we checked out she decided to buy the S. A. 1911 Micro Compact 45 Caliber. Beautiful little gun and it was on sale for $849.00. Since we were leaving we didn't get to shoot it.
When I broke it down to clean out the factory goop I ran into some problems since I've never cleaned a 1911. Had to call S.A. customer service. A very young sounding girl had to tell me about that little plastic thing that fits over the spring guide rod (?). Locking back the slide took about all I could do and I'm not a small guy and like to think I have average to better than average strength. Very stiff. Since this is my wife's gun, I have doubts that she can work that slide. My question is, since we haven't fired it yet, should we take it back & exchange it for something she can handle or will it eventually loosen up?

Thank's for any advise you can give.

So Flo · 01-03-2007, 06:40 PM

I do not know about the micro compact, but I would suggest looking into some lighter springs. That may help lighten it up a bit.

As far as returning it, that probably depends on your relationship with the shop that sold it to you. My guess is that the would give you something in trade for it, but would not give you the full sale price.

I might suggest checking into http://forum.m1911.org/ for further information on whether that little micro will loosen up a bit.

I love the look of that little gun and hope you can get it worked out for your missus.

Keep us posted.

AR-Doctor · 01-03-2007, 07:24 PM

TX. Yes I own a OD.Green M.C. And mine broke in just fine. If she can pull the slide on a full size, Then she shouldn't have any trouble with the little guy. Go out and run a few hundred rounds threw it and enjoy it. Don't be suprised if it shoots low. This is a common thing with the little guys. A pair of rubber grips will help if you need more to hold onto.

As for the captured slide spring, It will loosen up in time. As for pushing out the rod to install the plastic holder. There is another way of doing that. Place a unloaded magazine in the weapon, Then lock back the slide. At this point the guide rod is exposed below the barrel. Take the plastis guide lock and clip it on to the rod. At this point you have the spring captured. Release the slide stop to the 2nd notch and remove the slide stop. This allows the slide, to slide of the frame going foward. At this point the spring assembly is removed sliding it toward the back of the slide and the barrel goes out the front.

Putting it back together is very easy, the barrel goes back in the way it came out, and the spring to. Now with the slide up side down in the palm of your hand, us your thumb to push foward the spring. and remove the guide spring lock and the spring will fall into place at the base of the barrel.

Slide the upper back onto the frame and line up the barrel lug. Install the slide stop and your shooting a clean gun. Oh I forgot, you had to clean it when it was apart.

Keep the little guy its a great CCW carry gun. Makes BIG holes. And is a S/A 1911. I love mine. And get your self a pair of Wilson mag's. That will help any feeding issue.
Easy to CCW and easy to shoot, what else can you ask for?

(DBA)
AR-Doctor
S/A TRP, Operator.
S/A 1911 Micro-Compact.
XD-40 S&W.
XD-40 Sub-Compact.
And other less'r made weapons!!

TxPhantom · 01-04-2007, 07:21 AM

Thanks for the input guys. We have nine other automatics but never had one as stiff as this little 1911. It will have to loosen up considerably for her to operate it and use it as a CCW. Since she used a Kimber as a rental test gun, does that mean the Kimber is easier to operate or was it just well broken in? It's never been fired except by the factory so if we are going to trade it now is the time. We actually would perfer to keep it.

AR-Doc; The only problem I had breaking down the gun was that the instructions were very vague as most manufacturers instructions are. They use a lot of red ink explaining safety over and over again. I know you can't be too safe! And of course that stupid lawyer lock and it's tiny little tools! I didn't know about that little plastic guide lock. Anyway now that I've done it I'll have no (hopefully) problem in the future.

SoFlo; Thanks for guiding me to the 1911 forum. I just posted there posing the same question to them.

AR-Doctor · 01-04-2007, 06:40 PM

TX.

I won't tell you that you can do away with that Laywer lock. But I will tell you its got a better trigger with out it. Seek a good gunsmith that will sell you a new main spring housing. And you can get a new cool one with Snake scale's if you would like.... And no more lock that will break in time any way. Mine did. And those keys are a JOKE, "M.I.C.K.E.Y. Mouse.And Donald Duck"

(DBA)
AR-Doctor.

01-03-2007, 06:04 PM	#1
TxPhantom XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 24	Micro Compact Question?????? Got a question for the S.A 1911 experts here. My wife got bit by the 1911 bug. When we went to the range last weekend she rented a Kimber compact to test fire and to see if she likes it. She loved it. Had no problem jacking a round in the chamber but didn't think about trying to lock back the slide since it automatically locked back after the last round was fired. When we checked out she decided to buy the S. A. 1911 Micro Compact 45 Caliber. Beautiful little gun and it was on sale for $849.00. Since we were leaving we didn't get to shoot it. When I broke it down to clean out the factory goop I ran into some problems since I've never cleaned a 1911. Had to call S.A. customer service. A very young sounding girl had to tell me about that little plastic thing that fits over the spring guide rod (?). Locking back the slide took about all I could do and I'm not a small guy and like to think I have average to better than average strength. Very stiff. Since this is my wife's gun, I have doubts that she can work that slide. My question is, since we haven't fired it yet, should we take it back & exchange it for something she can handle or will it eventually loosen up? Thank's for any advise you can give. __________________ Member NRA Member TSRA Texas CHL holder USA OUT OF THE UN - LET THEM APPLAUDE THAT!

01-03-2007, 06:40 PM	#2
So Flo XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wellington, Florida Posts: 12,321	I do not know about the micro compact, but I would suggest looking into some lighter springs. That may help lighten it up a bit. As far as returning it, that probably depends on your relationship with the shop that sold it to you. My guess is that the would give you something in trade for it, but would not give you the full sale price. I might suggest checking into http://forum.m1911.org/ for further information on whether that little micro will loosen up a bit. I love the look of that little gun and hope you can get it worked out for your missus. Keep us posted. __________________ No Guns, Know Crime. Know Guns, No Crime! http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member3984.png

01-03-2007, 07:24 PM	#3
AR-Doctor XDTalk Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 53	1911 Micro Compact. TX. Yes I own a OD.Green M.C. And mine broke in just fine. If she can pull the slide on a full size, Then she shouldn't have any trouble with the little guy. Go out and run a few hundred rounds threw it and enjoy it. Don't be suprised if it shoots low. This is a common thing with the little guys. A pair of rubber grips will help if you need more to hold onto. As for the captured slide spring, It will loosen up in time. As for pushing out the rod to install the plastic holder. There is another way of doing that. Place a unloaded magazine in the weapon, Then lock back the slide. At this point the guide rod is exposed below the barrel. Take the plastis guide lock and clip it on to the rod. At this point you have the spring captured. Release the slide stop to the 2nd notch and remove the slide stop. This allows the slide, to slide of the frame going foward. At this point the spring assembly is removed sliding it toward the back of the slide and the barrel goes out the front. Putting it back together is very easy, the barrel goes back in the way it came out, and the spring to. Now with the slide up side down in the palm of your hand, us your thumb to push foward the spring. and remove the guide spring lock and the spring will fall into place at the base of the barrel. Slide the upper back onto the frame and line up the barrel lug. Install the slide stop and your shooting a clean gun. Oh I forgot, you had to clean it when it was apart. Keep the little guy its a great CCW carry gun. Makes BIG holes. And is a S/A 1911. I love mine. And get your self a pair of Wilson mag's. That will help any feeding issue. Easy to CCW and easy to shoot, what else can you ask for? (DBA) AR-Doctor S/A TRP, Operator. S/A 1911 Micro-Compact. XD-40 S&W. XD-40 Sub-Compact. And other less'r made weapons!! Last edited by AR-Doctor; 01-03-2007 at 07:32 PM.

01-04-2007, 07:21 AM	#4
TxPhantom XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 24	Thanks..... Thanks for the input guys. We have nine other automatics but never had one as stiff as this little 1911. It will have to loosen up considerably for her to operate it and use it as a CCW. Since she used a Kimber as a rental test gun, does that mean the Kimber is easier to operate or was it just well broken in? It's never been fired except by the factory so if we are going to trade it now is the time. We actually would perfer to keep it. AR-Doc; The only problem I had breaking down the gun was that the instructions were very vague as most manufacturers instructions are. They use a lot of red ink explaining safety over and over again. I know you can't be too safe! And of course that stupid lawyer lock and it's tiny little tools! I didn't know about that little plastic guide lock. Anyway now that I've done it I'll have no (hopefully) problem in the future. SoFlo; Thanks for guiding me to the 1911 forum. I just posted there posing the same question to them. __________________ Member NRA Member TSRA Texas CHL holder USA OUT OF THE UN - LET THEM APPLAUDE THAT!

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01-04-2007, 06:40 PM	#5
AR-Doctor XDTalk Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 53	TX. I won't tell you that you can do away with that Laywer lock. But I will tell you its got a better trigger with out it. Seek a good gunsmith that will sell you a new main spring housing. And you can get a new cool one with Snake scale's if you would like.... And no more lock that will break in time any way. Mine did. And those keys are a JOKE, "M.I.C.K.E.Y. Mouse.And Donald Duck" (DBA) AR-Doctor.