1911 Slide stop retention?

[Rmiked]

I have read some and seen Utubes of guys 1911 slide stops working out. It got me wondering what retains it. On my Dan Wesson Specialist when removing the slide stop there is some resistance once the pin clears the far side hole. Examining it, it looks as if the plunger pin (with spring force) bears against the side of slide stop, providing lateral force against it. When the pin clears the far side hole there would be a tendency for the slide stop to rotate (pin side in and plunger side out) since it loses the stability of staying aligned on near-side and far-side holes. I have found either just pull harder or pull on the side with pin while slightly pushing in on side toward plunger relives the resistance and it comes right out. It looks like the retention “design” is the combination of friction from the bearing of the plunger on the catch combined with the absence of any forces that would push the stop out of the frame? My slide stop is also machined with a 45 degree beveled trough slightly larger than plunger pin diameter to assist in depressing the plunger when inserting the slide stop into the frame. Nice feature IMO. So why do some people have a problem with the slide stop working out? And is my guess at what retains it correct? In my pistol the slide stop fitting appears to be precise. I’m not sure a drop-in replacement would ever work optimally. Thanks!

[HCM]

I have read some and seen Utubes of guys 1911 slide stops working out. It got me wondering what retains it. On my Dan Wesson Specialist when removing the slide stop there is some resistance once the pin clears the far side hole. Examining it, it looks as if the plunger pin (with spring force) bears against the side of slide stop, providing lateral force against it. When the pin clears the far side hole there would be a tendency for the slide stop to rotate (pin side in and plunger side out) since it loses the stability of staying aligned on near-side and far-side holes. I have found either just pull harder or pull on the side with pin while slightly pushing in on side toward plunger relives the resistance and it comes right out. It looks like the retention “design” is the combination of friction from the bearing of the plunger on the catch combined with the absence of any forces that would push the stop out of the frame? My slide stop is also machined with a 45 degree beveled trough slightly larger than plunger pin diameter to assist in depressing the plunger when inserting the slide stop into the frame. Nice feature IMO. So why do some people have a problem with the slide stop working out? And is my guess at what retains it correct? In my pistol the slide stop fitting appears to be precise. I’m not sure a drop-in replacement would ever work optimally. Thanks!

Never had a slide stop work loose but I’ve had one break on the pin portion which goes through the link, locking up the gun (a Colt Wiley Clapp Govt).

FYI nothing on a 1911 (or any gun of similar vintage) it ever truly “drop-in.”

[Rmiked]

FYI nothing on a 1911 (or any gun of similar vintage) it ever truly “drop-in.”

Yea, I’m figuring that out. You can buy various diameter slide stop pins; 0.200 plus or minus a few thousandths. But I’m seeing “drop-in” slide stops without that 45 degree beveled trough that mine has, that assists in depressing the plunger. So no way it fits mine. You would have to file that beveled surface into it to fit mine. Looks like many parts are custom fit.

[SW CQB 45]

you also have to fit the rounded portion of the inner lug to the rounded portion on the window cut out on the frame. for proper engagement with the slide locking back.

The only thing keeping the slide stop on is slide blocks the very top edge of the rounded portion of the inner lug.




In the 2000s, we had a felony stop on a car where the front passenger would not exit. I used bushes to conceal my approach and he had a 1911 in his hand up against his chest under his chin pointed at a 45 degree angle up. He slightly rotated his head/eyes toward me with the 1911 still forward. I ordered him to drop it and show me his hands. After what seemed like 10-15 seconds... he rotated the 1911 pointed down and dropped it on the floorboard.

After he was arrested... I went to retrieve the 1911 and the slide stop was on the ragged edge of falling off. Lug was outside of the frame and the pin was barely attached to the barrel link. It was my guess he had a one shot gun before the slide stop fell out.

[Rmiked]

“The only thing keeping the slide stop on is slide blocks the very top edge of the rounded portion of the inner lug.”

Is this true when slide is in down position, not locked back?

I don’t understand ? The inner lug is part of the slide stop on opposite end from pin? There is interference so it can move out?

[Bergeron]

It's hard to tell tone or emotion over the internet, so if I'm off base here, I apologize.

OP, it seems as though you dislike both the design and operation of that gun. Which is totally fine, and understandable- but have you considered trading it in or selling it and getting either a different 1911 more suited to your tastes, or a different gun altogether? 10mm is more popular now that ever, and there's a variety of different designs (metal or polymer; double stack or single; striker, SAO, or DA/SA) out there.

[SW CQB 45]

the top portion of your inner lug is what keeps the slide stop from working out.

[Rmiked]

Awesome! I get it. So these guys who have slide stops working out don’t have the proper interference fit? That “ear” is too low.

[DDTSGM]

Awesome! I get it. So these guys who have slide stops working out don’t have the proper interference fit? That “ear” is too low.

Were any of the slide stops which were pushed out used by left-handed shooters?

If you look at my 1911's you will see that the rounded end of the slide stop shafts are all nearly flat. This is because my support hand thumb has pushed the stop out enough to induce a malfunction.

It happens.

P.S. - don't willy-nilly grind the stop flat on the end, you want the pin to fully engage the hole in the frame.

[rd62]

@Rmiked have you ever seen or heard of thess books by Kuhnhausen?

Given your engineering background and inquisitiveness of the 1911 platform, I think you may find it informative and interesting.