S&W 1911 E-Series .45 issue

[Numrod]

It has been a while since I field stripped my 1911, so I stripped it down and then tried to reassemble it. Trouble is, I can hardly rack the slide now. I feels like it is catching on something. What might have happened to it?

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[BillyJean]

Could be. Did you try to re-strip and reassemble again? Can you fully rack the slide even if it's difficult? Photos might help.

 

[Numrod]

I re-stripped it again and still have the same problem. When it breaks free and racks all the way, it cocks the hammer and dry fire.

 

[BillyJean]

Shoot, that's no fun.

Are you running a full-length guide rod/FLGR? Have you tried disassembling, inspecting, and reassembling that as well?

 

[Drako]

Does the barrel link move freely?

 

[Numrod]

Sometimes it sticks, but when I break it free it moves freely back and forth.

 

[Numrod]

The guide rod is full length. I looked at it, and to be honest, I don't think I would know if something was wrong with it. I might just need to take it to a gunsmith.

 

[Idaho44]

Silly question, but are you capturing the link (lubed and free swinging) with the slide stop when assembling the slide! It is possible to assemble and not have the slide stop in the link hole.
Also another source of info: https://www.1911forum.com/threads/e-series-issues.311599/

 

[Drako]

I have the E series 1911 and had the exact same issue. Below picture was what happened to mine. I cleaned it up so the linkage moved freely and have only fired it once since then. It worked, but I'm planning on checking it for additional damage after each range session.

 

[Numrod]

Yes. I made sure I got the slide stop in the link hole.

 

[BillyJean]

Might be worth hopping on YouTube for a few minutes to see how your FLGR works before taking it to a gunsmith.