1911 issues

[MonsterRain]

So, a couple of weeks ago I picked up a brand new Springfield Armory Loaded 1911. It is my first 1911 so my questions may or may not be completely ignorant.

My first trip to the range went pretty much flawlessly, about 100 rds without a hitch. However, I packed it up early when my rear sight came loose. I took it home and tightened it back up, problem solved.

Today, I went back to the range except this time it went a bit rougher. Using my factory SA mags, I had two strange failure to feed malfunctions. Both times, the slide locked back with one round left to fire; however, the last round was not in the magazine but rattling around in the breach. The slide was locked completely rearward using the slide stop mechanism, just as if the gun were empty. But, somehow the final round had come free of the magazine (not chambered of course) and was basically sitting on top of the magazine.

The only way I can fathom this would be possible would be if the magazine was spreading apart far enough for the last round to just pop out, which then allowed the follower to activate the slide stop. Is this even possible?? Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening again? Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Also, my rear sight came loose on the second trip to the range as well. Any tips or pointers for keeping that little bugger in place? Thanks to anyone who responds.

[Fastzntn]

I would enjoy the benefits of the warranty rather than trying to fix a new gun myself. I'm sure Springfield can have the thing fixed up in short order. Is that a possibility for you or do you need the gun now and aren't able to send it back?

[BoomerBSG]

Originally Posted by MonsterRain

So, a couple of weeks ago I picked up a brand new Springfield Armory Loaded 1911. It is my first 1911 so my questions may or may not be completely ignorant.

My first trip to the range went pretty much flawlessly, about 100 rds without a hitch. However, I packed it up early when my rear sight came loose. I took it home and tightened it back up, problem solved.

Today, I went back to the range except this time it went a bit rougher. Using my factory SA mags, I had two strange failure to feed malfunctions. Both times, the slide locked back with one round left to fire; however, the last round was not in the magazine but rattling around in the breach. The slide was locked completely rearward using the slide stop mechanism, just as if the gun were empty. But, somehow the final round had come free of the magazine (not chambered of course) and was basically sitting on top of the magazine.

The only way I can fathom this would be possible would be if the magazine was spreading apart far enough for the last round to just pop out, which then allowed the follower to activate the slide stop. Is this even possible?? Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening again? Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Also, my rear sight came loose on the second trip to the range as well. Any tips or pointers for keeping that little bugger in place? Thanks to anyone who responds.

for your site use Loctite, not the type that you need to heat up to break free, check the packaging. i used it on my colts, and it worked fine.

as for the magazine issue...
pick up another magazine or two of different mfg's (good to do anyway).
i suggest a Wilson Combat 47D or ETM, and maybe a Chip McCormic Power Mag, Tripp Industries Cobra Mags are great from what i hear, but i have personal experience with 47D's and Power mags. of all my mags the 47D and the power mags operate flawlessly. if the issue with the last round still persists (which i doubt it will) then you can send it back to SA. if it doesnt happen again, you have two nice mags to use now, and can ditch the other two.

neither issue warrants sending it to SA at this moment.

for good prices on mags check out Cheaper Than Dirt, or even Midwayusa.com

cheers

[Verk]

I have a Springfield 1911 Loaded as well. First, get some Wilson Combat magazines. I have had my share of 1911's over the years and with a few exceptions, most 1911 magazines are substandard in my opinion.

Wilson magazines are the best money can buy and more than worth the little extra to get them. In addition, I had to run around 200 rounds through my new 1911 Loaded before it became 100% reliable.

[grthka]

I am currently trying to find a stainless loaded champion. My question is why would a manufacturer make a gun that cost around a $1000 knowingly ship the gun out with faulty magazines? Why in the year 2008 can they not make a pistol that is 100% reliable straight out of the box? The XD-45C that I purchase from them is 100% reliable. over 3000 rounds shot and not one single issue. I still want the champion because I like the way it looks but I do not think I will ever use it for carry.

[FATSEXY]

MonsterRain... great screen name. Big fan of Li'l Jimmy myself.

[BoomerBSG]

Originally Posted by grthka

I am currently trying to find a stainless loaded champion. My question is why would a manufacturer make a gun that cost around a $1000 knowingly ship the gun out with faulty magazines? Why in the year 2008 can they not make a pistol that is 100% reliable straight out of the box? The XD-45C that I purchase from them is 100% reliable. over 3000 rounds shot and not one single issue. I still want the champion because I like the way it looks but I do not think I will ever use it for carry.

keep in mind your only hearing from those that have problems with their guns on most forums. out of the millions of guns out there, we hear about a select few here. you could very well send the mags themselves back to SA/MFG, and they would probably replace them easily.

if everyone who posted on here that had flawless performing guns/mags, this forum would have 100x the amount of traffic it does now.
so keep in mind that forums dont reflect real world numbers for performance. for every one person who has a problem theres likely 20+ that dont.

cheers

[Diocoles]

Specifically Loctite BLUE.
That's what holds in those loose sites best, both Springfield and Beretta use that when you send it in for that type of issue.

[Brickboy240]

Your feeding problem sounds like a classic case of the extractor needing some tensioning. My 1952 Sistema Colt did the same thing and I took it to my smith who had seen this many times and knew EXACTLY what to do. He re-tensioned the extractor and I never had that problem come up again and its been many years ago.

it is not unusual at all to have to have a Springfield 1911's extractor need re-tensioning. I doubt you'll have to replace the extractor entirely...probably just came from the factory with weak tension. Again...fairly common. Re-tensioning an extractor on a 1911 takes maybe 10 minutes and is not expensive or involved.

(I did replace the worn extractor on my Colt Combat Commader with Wilson's excellent Bulletproof Extractor and if you HAVE to replace it...this is the best extractor on the market and runs about 30 bucks)

The rear sight? can't help you there as all my 1911s wear fixed sights. I am NOT a fan of adjustables on any autopistols for that very reason - they can come apart at not-so-good times. Never found a reason why I shold have an adjustable sight on my 1911/45s, either.

Good luck with it.

- brickboy240

[AwPhuch]

Originally Posted by Diocoles

Specifically Loctite BLUE.
That's what holds in those loose sites best, both Springfield and Beretta use that when you send it in for that type of issue.

Good for motorcycle bolts that come loose too!