| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 19:50:28
this is an older picture of my colt combat commander XSE from last year before i sent it back to colt. i sent it back to colt both because it wouldnt feed corbon ammunition (still wont, but i can forgive that) and also because the ambidextrous safety was so low on the right side that i had to cut part of the grip away just so the safety could be disengaged. this is actually not forgivable, but i just told them to remove the safety since i didnt use it anyway so that i would never have problems with grip interference of any sort again. i got the weapon back and ran a couple magazines through it to find that it still wouldnt function corbon which really isnt a big deal to me anymore.
my commander has since sat in the safe and hasnt been shot before today. in honor of charleton hestons passing i loaded up my TRP, USP, P7s, BHP, loaded champion, SW99, G19, M&P, and my XSE and headed to the range. this is my typical carry rotation with exception to the XSE. i brought the XSE specifically to prove it with federal HST. i wanted to make sure it would cycle my carry ammunition properly before i started to carry it again (recent conversations in this forum had renewed my interest in this weapon). the first 3 shots were great!
the 4th shot however, failed to feed. upon closer inspection i found the firing pin was stuck in the out position and was wedging against the back of the cartridge preventing the slide from closing (was dang lucky it didnt ignite the round with the slide partially open!). i cleared the weapon and when i attempted to lower the hammer a couple parts fell to the ground and the firing pin literally shot out and smacked me right on the lense of my shooting glasses (very thankful i was wearing them!).
this is what im left with. holy smokes i am glad i took it to the range again before trusting it enough for carry, yet im also tired of having issues with a gun that has been to the range twice. to this point i havent become familiar enough with the series 80 setup, but it looks like im about to learn it.
even if i am successful in reassembly, why would this happen to start with? holy crap if i were in a fire-fight and parts started flying out of my weapon id be in a lot of trouble....most likely wishing i had carried my G19 that day! this weapon may be going up for sale very soon. in fact, the first $800 takes it. can anyone explain to me why this would happen? what would you recommend from this point?
thanks, |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nathan |
Posted - 10/10/2008 : 22:29:39
many thanks for the info, ill check it out. |
| 1911collector |
Posted - 10/10/2008 : 18:13:06
Almost forgot this, see...EGW is no joke.
EGW Monogram Carry Bevel Bushing & Plug
$49.99
The EGW Monogram Bushing has the look of the EGW Carry Bevel Bushing combined with a solid spring plug that is longer to match the thick flange bushing. The combination makes for a very clean appearance. We then took it up a notch and made a special bushing that has not only the carry bevel, but a radius at each side on the bottom. We wanted to offer custom engraving on the spring plug to make your gun unique to you, BUT... we found the spring plug rotates during firing! We then developed a matched bushing and spring plug pair where the bushing keys into the spring plug. Now, not only will the spring plug not have wear around it as it rotates wile shooting, but your letter will stay square and true.
NOTE: Please email us egw@pil.net and advise us on what letter you want to appear on the spring plug.
Call or email about custom engraving. Availble in blue and stainless steel.
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| 1911collector |
Posted - 10/10/2008 : 17:52:38
Hey Nathan,
I was reading about your "catastrophic failure" and how the firing pin was lodged in the depressed position and the firing pin retainer fell out.
Then some folks suggested super glue or locktite, which reminded me of this one time I came across EGW's super fat OS Firing Pin Retainer/Stops.
I got very lucky at a gunshow and found a Mil-Spec that was basically flawless( my only gripes were 1 little ding in the MSH which I was swapping anyway, and the Barrel Bushing was so dang loose I could see daylight between it and the Slide.
I was researching and shopping around for a good Bushing and I found myself at Evolution Gun Works(EGW). They have a "EGW Thick Flange Bushing"- "Our standard thick flange bushing machined from solid barstock. Flange thickness is .125 I.D. = .7015 O.D. = .568 Makes for a great gunsmith fit bushing Available in blued and stainless steel."
I emailed them about what size I would need, and George at EGW asked me for what pistol, I told him my Springer Mil-Spec, and he knew just the right size to send me. I also grabbed a matching Spring Plug to go with it. They fit so precicely it's unbelievable, and they are so beautiful. I recommend them for every 1911, period.
While I was there at the EGW site looking around, I noticed that they sold a " OS Firing Pin Stop"- "EGW firing pin stops are wider to prevent extractor movement. That means more reliable ejection! The stop is thicker to eliminate lateral movement as well. Radius corners prevent cracking so it lasts longer too. The back corner is square to slow the slide opening. 48 Rc scale. Fits Series 70, 80 in Super 10 and .45 (Blue)."
I did a little research in forums, and a lot of 1911 owners seemed to be pleased and excited about the fit and quality of these stops. They are extra thick, and you can have them gunsmithed down to a real tight fit, so to prevent the stop falling out. I didn't grab one, but I think I will, I don't want to get shot in the TEETH with my firing pin bro...
Might save your baby...
Oh and, you can get these parts in several styles, shapes, bevels, finishes, etc. Damn good prices too if you ask me! George was very helpful, super fast communication and shipping!
Evolution Gun Works-
http://egw-guns.com/store/
OS Firing Pin Stop- Starting at: $15.00
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=36
EGW Thick Flange Bushing- $20.00
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_26&products_id=207
Spring Plug for Thick Flange Bushing- $15.00
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=135
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| strider72 |
Posted - 04/13/2008 : 07:05:08
By the way, it looks like you are missing the firing pin plunger spring. Your failure makes one think about peening or locktite-ing the firing pin stop in place to eliminate the chance of such a failure again. |
| hipshot |
Posted - 04/08/2008 : 11:34:56
If you never have a problem then you never learn anything, I would never get rid of a firearm because of a problem until I had time to study it and diagnosis it and repair it. Every time you salve a problem you are smarter and more intelligent than before, and there is something very rewarding about knowing something learned from a life experience. You may never see this problem again but once you know the cause and how to reach a satisfactory out come, it's just a really good filling. |
| ridurall |
Posted - 04/08/2008 : 11:05:15
I had a friend that was a very good shot with his 1911, until it went full auto on him. He couldn't hit crap for about a year. He kept expecting it to happen again. He did put some interesting holes in the top of the range cover. |
| County_ CO |
Posted - 04/08/2008 : 10:35:44
quote:
Originally posted by iceman
I've always had respect for Colt. In your case though I'd have re-assemble and sell it. Too many good guns on the market to have to hassle with a particular gun.
Thats harsh man. Granted he's had some problems, but the reason for the issues hasn't even bin discovered yet.
Nathan, you get that thing apart yet? |
| iceman |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 16:44:04
I've always had respect for Colt. In your case though I'd have re-assemble and sell it. Too many good guns on the market to have to hassle with a particular gun. |
| bumble |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 15:17:49
nathan, since i know basicly nothing, im throwing this out there just in case it does help. not sure if its a 70 or 80 series. just dont have all the knowledge yet, but maybe this can help you, and if not maybe some of the others here.
www.m1911.org/loader.swf
sorry if its no help, found it just the other day and thought it was a fairly good illustration. keep us posted on what you do with that colt. |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 11:53:37
thanks bruce, going to check it out. |
| County_ CO |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 11:15:29
Nathan, here ya go, http://www.sightm1911.com/Care/1911_Maintain.htm
I also polished all the series 80 parts when I had it apart, as well as the trigger bows and the trigger bow slots inside the frame when I had mine apart, it took about a 1/2 pound off the trigger pull. |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 10:40:35
thanks bruce! i have never had it totally apart because im a bit reluctant/intimidated by tearing into the series 80 system. i do hate the throught of giving up on it but having your firing pin shoot you in the eye sort of shakes ones confidence. 
ive been chomping at the bit just waiting on the new delta elite, but now im going to have to learn the series 80 configuration enough to gain my confidence back before i can even consider it. have you an online resource that shows the inner-workings of the series 80 as well as specific and precise stripping/reassembly instructions?
thanks, |
| County_ CO |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 10:03:47
Nathan, have you ever had the gun totaly apart? When mine was semi-new I totaly stripped it and found a decent amount of greese on the firing pin & spring area. That combined with a few hundred rounds, and some dust and what ever could explain your firing pin hanging up. Like was said before without pressure from the firing pin the retainer and pin will just about almost "fall" out.
It sucks you have had so much troble with your Colt, I've put over 6,000 rounds through mine and only have had to change the extractor ( used a Ed Brown hardcore extractor) I got rid of the ambi safety as well and used a Swanson extended safety,  .
Don't give up hope yet Nathan, just clean it really good and give her another try. |
| Renigeid |
Posted - 04/07/2008 : 06:55:31
Never had it to happen on my series 80 |
| BigMike |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 22:50:45
Superglue. :) |
| hipshot |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 21:55:55
It can and will happen with every gun made but is so rare most people have never seen it. |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 21:53:25
quote:
Originally posted by hipshot
this is something that might happen once or twice in a life time.
...yet it happened on my second trip to the range with this particular weapon, thanks for the explanation. so ultimately this is the result of debris in the series 80 firing pin, and wouldnt happen with a series 70? |
| hipshot |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 21:03:36
You depress the firing pin to remove the retainer, your firing pin was depressed for you so the retainer just fell out, get a manual and look at a complete disassembly and you will see what I'm trying to say. Or take one of your other goverment models down when you hold the firing pin down to remove the retainer and then the pin and spring will come out, your's had the pin depressed, so the retainer just fell out, this is something that might happen once or twice in a life time. |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 20:51:59
quote:
Originally posted by hipshot
Put it back together and go out and try it again, it problem is just a freaky thing that happen
i still dont understand the exact cause. i can understand a pin sticking from debris, but not parts flying out. |
| mattinglyt |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 20:44:33
quote:
the firing pin literally shot out and smacked me right on the lense of my shooting glasses
Looks to me like two great arguments for eye protection and a back up gun.
SNAFU! |
| hipshot |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 20:39:48
Put it back together and go out and try it again, it problem is just a freaky thing that happen, mine has never done it again and I carried on duty. |
| Nathan |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 20:28:38
quote:
Originally posted by hipshot
I have seen this happen 2 times one was mine
was yours on a series 80 colt? if so then not only am i selling this one, but it will prevent me from purchasing the new delta elite i wanted so badly. i wont own something i cannot depend on, and if these things just fly apart like this then its not what i consider dependable. i was really hoping someone would tell me this was just a freak thing. |
| hipshot |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 20:24:29
I have seen this happen 2 times one was mine , and the gun was new. Both times it was a piece of brass got hung in the firing pin area. Mine had the firing pin block and would not fire until it was cleaned out, never has done it again. The second one was like your picture, and it was exciting because it went full auto. What ever caused the firing pin to become stuck in that position will be cleaned when when the pin is removed. When it is reassembled it probably will work just fine. When the firing pin stuck it allowed the retainer to drop out. |
