1911 won't cycle

[rangerjay]

I have a Springfield loaded 1911 in 45acp that I picked up in new 2003. No idea on the round count but its been shot. It has been a reliable gun, until now.

When shooting, the slide will not cycle after the round is shot. Spent brass is still in the chamber. The slide does not move. Funny thing is I can hand cycle the slide just fine, I don't feel any grit or hangs ups at all.

I have cleaned the gun, field stripped, replaced the recoil spring, tried different ammo, mags and completely took the gun down.

I don't know where or what else to look at to get this thing running again.

Do you guys have any insight?

Thanks

[ExplorinInTheWoods]

So the slide doesn’t reciprocate at all when it fires, it just stays in place? That’s really weird if so. If it was cycling a bit but still leaving the casing I would say check your extractor.

[rangerjay]

yes, exactly the slide does not reciprocate.

[matemike]

Sounds like you have a full length guide rod and an enclosed spring plug. Has any of that been altered?
When you hand cycle does the unfired case extract like normal?
If no to either of the questions above, then as stated above, check and/or replace the extractor. I bet the fired case is not moving at all and hanging everything up one way or another.

[rangerjay]

It has a 2 piece full length guide rod, unaltered.

It extracts and ejects normally when hand cycled

[markm]

The joys of 1911 ownership. I do love to shoot them, but don't miss any of these headaches.

[gaijin]

Have you disassembled pistol?

Check that bushing/barrel link and lugs are intact.

[DaBigBR]

It's not that I don't believe you, but...are you 100% sure that the slide DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL and not that it's just not cycling enough to eject the spent brass?

I have a hard time imagining a scenario where you can hand cycle a gun, but the power of recoil simply will not move the slide out of battery.

[mark5pt56]

Does the recoil feel excessive? If so, maybe the barrel link is worn to the point of not allowing it to unlock. I only know this from my first journey back into the 1911-used barrel and link from another gun, it was wallered out pretty bad. I was able to hand cycle it, just like you. Also, look at the slide/frame fitment, does the slide appear further forward than it should?

Yes--and the slide did not move at all, went through this when I took it over to Fusion and the smith was asking the same question with a puzzled look.

[Pappabear]

Whenever you get that fixed, buy a normal guide rod. I love SA 1911's, but am puzzled by their retarded 2 piece GR.

PB