As mentioned in a thread on training I put up, * I had the slide release on a Colt 1991A1 break at approx 1000rnds into the course. The gun was modified by a smith, but the slide release was stock Colt. Exact rnd count on the gun is unknown, as I purchased it used, but I do not believe the gun had a high rnd count on it when I purchased it (seller claimed well under 1000 and from the pristine condition of the gun, seemed right) and I have put approx another 5k on it, so it's easily under 10k total.
First time that's ever happened to me with a 1911. Are there any specific user errors that could cause that I should be aware of? Put it down to a bad part and forget it? Ever have that happen to you?
* = http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=408541
Slide stop breakage is one of the inherent flaws of the design. You can do nothing to prevent it, except have a spare that it alreeady fitted ready to replace it. Yo umight also want to keep a spare firing pin stop, firing pin, and lunger tube on hand also. Another suggestion is to try a Wilson Combat Bullet proof part or Ed Brown Hardcore part. These parts are harder than the Colt stock parts and while not unbreakable, they do have have a lifetime gaurantee. My buddy just had his slide stop break on his Colt Commander, the part was a WC bulletproof one, I called them, and they sent a new one out that day. I have to return the broken one in the return envelope but they were very helpful.
"Slide stop breakage is one of the inherent flaws of the design."
Thats what I have read, but first time it's ever happened. Yup, used Ed brown stuff in my other guns, and will use it to replace the Colt part.
Will... Where did it break? The pin or the lug that engages the magazine follower?
Some of the recent Colt slidestops... since the early 90s... have broken at the lug. It doesn't keep the gun from functioning, except to prevent slidelock on the last round.
Turns out that in every one I've seen do that... the steel was over-hardened and brittle.
If it was the pin, you've got other problems... like the barrel being stopped by the link, though that usually stretches or breaks the lnk before it breaks the slidestop pin.
If the gun is within spec, the slidestop pin comes under very little stress as long as the gun isn't abused by letting the slide slam on an empty chamber.
quote:
Where did it break? The pin or the lug that engages the magazine
follower?"
It was the latter. Glad to hear you have seen this with other Colts made at that time. Of course it would have to happen in the middle of a class, but we all know when guns break, it will be at the worst possible time!
Will... The other part of the problem with your slidestop is that it wasn't cut with the proper fillets in the sharp corners. Another manufacturing short- cut that lends itself to failures. If the part is also too hard, the cracks start earlier.
There are two aftermarket stops that you can use... both cast... and both very good. EGW's and Brown Hardcore. A step up to the Wilson Bulletproof will net you a machined steel part that's a bit pricey, and has offered no advantage in durability over the other two... at least not so far over the course of a few hundred thousand rounds in various pistols I've used'em in... including a half-dozen of my own range beaters.
The smith who built my other guns prefers the Brown product, and that's what I have in my others, so will probably go with that.