Gentlemen, I have a Springfield Loaded 1911 I bought used 2 years ago that I carry for work (Armored car co.), and was shooting at the range yesterday, and ran into an issue. To be fair, I wasn’t exactly being nice, and shooting like I would shoot in a marksman competition, I was shooting like I would if I ever had to, so fairly quickly. 30 rounds or so went fine, but I started to not be able to pull the trigger. previous round was ejected, and a new round was chambered, but the trigger wouldn’t engage. I would have to engage the safety, then disengage and would be able to fully pull the trigger. Once, probably not a big deal, twice would make me curious, but 7 times? I’m not complaining, I love the thing, but is this something I should be concerned about? Should I get it checked? Has anyone ever experienced this before, and how was it fixed?
Have you ever completely detail stripped, cleaned, and inspected all of the internal parts? If you’re able to do that, that’s where I’d start.
I can’t diagnose the exact problem but it definitely needs to be fixed, especially if it’s your carry weapon. There is obviously an issue with the sear/hammer/safety mechanism. FWIW, Springfield has great customer service. I bought a used Loaded many years ago that was well worn and somewhat of a rattle can. I sent it back to SA and they replaced barrel, bushing, extractor, springs, sights, refit the slide to the frame and refinished the black paint at zero cost to me. I had it back in under 2 weeks from the time I shipped it. It’s a tack driver. I don’t carry it, but it’s my favorite paper puncher.
“that I carry for work (Armored car co.)”
“not be able to pull the trigger.”
“7 times”
“but is this something I should be concerned about?”
“Should I get it checked?”
This post CAN NOT be serious.
I have not broken it down completely, but will do
Sweet I didn’t know Springfield’s warranty was like that. Good to know, I’ll shoot them an email
“This post CAN NOT be serious”
Serious, but partly sarcastic. I KNOW it needs to be addressed, but wasn’t sure if it was something that can wait a bit. This was the first time it has happened out of all the times I’ve ever shot it, every other weekend, I hadn’t lubed it in 2-3 weeks, and it had seen the elements quite a bit. I’m outside all day in rain/sleet/snow/hail etc., all of which I’ve experienced in the past 2 weeks alone, so I wasn’t sure if that could have been a contributing factor or not. I usually clean it once a week. I’m planning on getting another side arm in a week or so. The reason I’m questioning doing it immediately is b/c my only other option at this time is a shop issued very old, poorly maintained, police issue style .38 special revolver, that I’ve seen a couple guys (no longer employed there) use as crowbars before. Given those 2 options…
All the more reason to have a second personal firearm. Any quality firearm should stand up to the shooting you did and if not, be sent back to the factory for correction.
Springfield is a great company with great C/S, so call them and send it back.
If you shoot that often, especially with a 1911, I would invest in upping your firearms IQ so you can strip the weapon down, completely clean, and maintain the weapon (replace worn spring, etc).
For that reason I would go with something more ‘forgiving’ of abuse.
Probably a pair of Glocks, SIG P320s, HK VP9s, etc, etc.
If you shoot that often, especially with a 1911, I would invest in upping your firearms IQ so you can strip the weapon down, completely clean, and maintain the weapon (replace worn spring, etc).
For that reason I would go with something more ‘forgiving’ of abuse.
Probably a pair of Glocks, SIG P320s, HK VP9s, etc, etc.
you’re absolutely right. I know ar-15’s like the very well. built more than a few, and shoot them as often, so i honestly am not quite sure why i haven’t done that with my 1911. I am remedying this problem as we speak though. Just got done completely stripping down and cleaning everything in the slide. wasn’t hard at all, so again no idea why i haven’t done that before. let me tell you though, the carbon buildup was real folks. as far as the 2nd goes, sig is my next stop, but glock isn’t out of the question. i had a kinda bad experience with a glock 22 that kinda turned me off, but i’m all about 2nd chances.
If you are going to carry a 1911 you should be able to do some of the maintenance and repairs yourself just incase it goes down.
You should either pick up another 1911 to have just in case something like this happens or make the switch to a double stack polymer framed pistol.
Even then, buy two and have a spare.
Ya definitely. Speaking of maintenance and repairs, just got done completely disassembling, cleaning it completely (the grime was intense), and reassembling it. A lot easier than i thought. Had to reassemble it twice tho. It helps to not put pieces in upside down…
What are the results after the cleaning? Are you still having the same issues?
It was only when i was actually shooting, never did it any other time. The only thing I can tell for sure right now is that everything feels a lot smoother, safety, trigger pull, hammer dropping, etc. Anybody have any advice on how often I should clean it that in depth? Google searches came up with a whole lot of every other time I shoot to once a year
I deep clean mine about every 3000 or so unless they are giving me problems. Being carried out in the weather all the time I’d probably bump that up a little. I totally agree with getting a backup of whatever you choose to carry.
That’s a good thing to start doing. As far as the slide assembly goes though, would it be a good idea to break it down every time like you do with a bcg on an ar15? And how would you rate a SIG p250 full size in .40 or .45 as far as a daily replacement or backup for the 1911? Do you think it would stand up to the elements better?
I’m either lubricating or cleaning. I lube often and clean as needed. Ar or 1911. My 1911s tell me when they want to be cleaned.
Not sure about current Sigs but I’d want my backup to fit the same holster and feel the same.
Ya the weight would definitely be different going from all metal to half polymer. I’ll have to check on the holster size. Im pretty sure a glock 21 would be too wide. I have a safariland that holds 1911’s, beretta’s, and glock 22’s. Should hold any of the p220 series too. I’ll check. If not its kinda worn anyway so might not be a bad time to upgrade
If it happened all with the same magazine I would check if you can track it down to a slightly bulged mag causing the trigger to rub. It may be that simple - when trouble shooting these things I start with simple ( clean lube check mag) before I dive deeper. Take out your magazines and run the gun with all of them - if you find it is a mag issue ( you do not have to get scientific measuring things and all that) with one particular mag simply throw the mag in the trash and move on.
If you are not certain it will work when needed, you should send it off to Springfield Armory or a good 1911 gunsmith and have them look at it. Send your duty magazines with the pistol, so the gunsmith can check them as well. It might cost you a little money, but it would be worth it.
In plain English, you have to ask yourself “is risking my ass worth saving a few hundred dollars?”