1911 rock island armory, (armscor) pistol misfire problem?

[robertcolorado2009]

Yesterday at Harris Park, my wife and I were shooting having fun, and I was breaking in my still somewhat new(less than 500 rounds down range) 1911 RIA, GI out and working. After emptying a magazine, I put another in and released the slide to reload and start firing. But as I released the slide it fired spontaneously, it was pointed towards the ground as usual and fired unexpectedly. I did NOT have any digit on the trigger. My wife confirmed that also with me. Has ANYONE have this happen to them with a RIA or any other make. I am very concerned about this. It can obviously be a dangerous situation/weapon when ever I have to reload. Any one???? The ammo was, BTW in the sun but in it's OEM box. Steel case TULA 45ACP 230gr FMJ. Thanks for any ideas or advice. This is my second RIA 45 1911 GI. Otherwise its been a no problem, no issue piece. I like it!!! but this freaks me AND my wife a bit.

[ray1970]

Hammer follow. Probably an issue with the hammer/sear engagement.

[ray1970]

If my theory is right you can check it at the house. Make sure it isnt loaded, lock the slide back, and then let it slam shut on its own. The hammer should stay back. If not, you have issues. I wouldnt do this test too many times as it isn't the best thing to do with an empty 1911. A few times to check it probably isn't going to hurt it.

[robertcolorado2009]

ok, thanks for the reply, but can you please break that down a bit for me. Can this be corrected?

[SouthPaw]

Correction = BP tactical

It is probably something they will fix for free but shipping it to them and waiting xxx amount of time may not be worth it. I had a Springfield 1911 that did the same thing. As Ray stated, empty the gun, make sure it's clear, pull the slide back and let it fall at full force. If the hammer is in the down position you have a defective gun. Do not load it or fire it until it has been fixed.

EDIT: Here was my prognosis https://www.ar-15.co/threads/44430-1911-fired-when-slide-released?highlight=Hammer+follow

[ray1970]

Probably nothing a new hammer and sear wouldn't correct. Problem is those parts really aren't "drop in" even if you buy some that are supposed to be.

I would get in touch with Bert and have him take a peek at it. He knows his way around a 1911.

[wctriumph]

I had a AMT Hardballer that did that to me, once went four rounds before the normal stovepipe stoppage. I took it to the factory in Arcadia personally twice for this issue but never could it to stop stove piping.

Send it back to the manufacturer for repair or take it to a qualified gunsmith.

I traded the AMT for a 8mm video camera that I never used and eventually gave to my sister in law and I know that I got the better part of the deal. The AMT went through two more owners before being used a parts gun.

[robertcolorado2009]

Thanks ray1970, I have tried what you've said, and this always works properly. It has and doesn't ever "hammer follow" now that I know what you are talking about. Many times I have tried this. I am beginning to think it was maybe that the ammo was in the sun and being the cheap Tula ammo, that it was the cause. Nonetheless, I am going to take it to 5280 where I bought it, they are really good people there and have them take a look at it.

[spqrzilla]

If it wasn't hammer follow, it is possible that some debris got into the firing pin hole and jammed the firing pin protruding but that's pretty rare.

[KS63]

Let me get this straight. The gun fired when chambering a live round, yet you say it doesn't have hammer follow? This doesn't make any sense. Hammer falls, strikes firing pin, pierces primer, gun go bang. The only other remotely possible explanation is you could have a broken firing pin spring and the slides momentum when being sling shot closed caused the firing pin to strike the primer. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[ray1970]

Come on, Bert. Chime in here before we all dish out too much bad information.

You know I know just enough to be dangerous.

[Awesom]

[Great-Kazoo]

If it's a new firearm purchase, call RIA monday morning. Get a RMA and let them deal with it. If it's a used gun, but new to the op call BP or other smith in the area.

[Bailey Guns]

Pretty odd that it did this with a round going into the chamber. The most likely explanation is you inadvertently had a finger on the trigger (even though I know you said you didn't...but you did have to "verify" with someone else). Just sayin'...that is the most likely culprit.

If that was absolutely not the case, there are many potential causes that will be nearly impossible to diagnose without seeing the gun. If you're not familiar with the internal workings of a 1911 (disconnector, sear, trigger and sear spring) take it to a competent smith. Since you're up north, that means Bert. Or send it back if it's a new gun.

[DenverGP]

The armscor guys out in Nevada will fix whatever is wrong, pretty sure they even pay the shipping both ways. Last I heard turn-around time was around 2-3 weeks.

[SideShow Bob]

Let me get this straight. The gun fired when chambering a live round, yet you say it doesn't have hammer follow? This doesn't make any sense. Hammer falls, strikes firing pin, pierces primer, gun go bang. The only other remotely possible explanation is you could have a broken firing pin spring and the slides momentum when being sling shot closed caused the firing pin to strike the primer. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You can get a slam fire from a protruding primer and, as mentioned, from dirt & debis sticking the firing pin forward. The latter could cause the pistol to full auto until the magazine is empty if the firing pin is stuck badly, not a likely situation,but I have had one stick for 2 rounds in my younger years when I was real lazy about cleaning.
Always keep the muzzle pointed down range when chambering a round.

[SideShow Bob]

The armscor guys out in Nevada will fix whatever is wrong, pretty sure they even pay the shipping both ways. Last I heard turn-around time was around 2-3 weeks.

Need to first eliminate the ammunition, protruding primer, and stuck firing pin.
Did the OP thoroughly clean the firearm when he brought it home ? Including removing the firing pin and clean the channel out for any possible millings that may have been left there from the factory ?
Does he have hammer follow that is repeatable when unloaded ?

To the OP, another thing to check/test, is to make double sure the pistol is unloaded and remove all ammunition to another room, hold the trigger down and pull back the slide, let it slam forward. The hammer should stay back, then release the trigger. You should hear a faint click when the trigger is released but the hammer should stay back.
If the hammer falls when the trigger is released, you definatly need to send it back to the factory. And if you have hammer follow with your finger off the trigger and letting the slide slam home you also definatly need factory repairs.

[DenverGP]

The guy I contacted at armscor was more than happy to rma my gun back, when all I actually had was a possible issue with the slide not locking back. I made sure to tell him it was possible my thumb was riding on the slide stop. He told me they'd be happy to check it over, tune it up, and return it nice and shiny. So even if he's not sure it was the guns fault, a vacation to nevada could do it some good. Only real downside is having to be without the gun for a few weeks.

Your point about cleaning when he brought it home is extra important with the rock islands.... Coming from the philippines, they want to be sure there is no corrosion, so they are shipped SWIMMING in oil in a plastic bag. Mine got a 100% disassembly, cleaned with mineral spirits, then lubed up with froglube.

[BPTactical]

If the hammer follows the slide home with the trigger at rest the hooks and or sear nose is typically the issue.
If it follows the slide home with the trigger depressed you have a disconnector issue.
Neither are correctable at the owner level.
I can tell you exactly what the staff of 5280 will tell you:
Contact the manufacturer.
Trust me, I know this for a fact.
Contact the manufacturer and send it off. It will usually be gone for at least 6 weeks.
Or you can come see me[pick-me]

[68Charger]

If my theory is right you can check it at the house. Make sure it isnt loaded, lock the slide back, and then let it slam shut on its own. The hammer should stay back. If not, you have issues. I wouldnt do this test too many times as it isn't the best thing to do with an empty 1911. A few times to check it probably isn't going to hurt it.
As Ray says, don't do this as a habit on a 1911.

A 1911 should NOT have have the slide slammed home on an empty chamber... snap caps maybe, but an empty chamber leads to sear and/or hammer hook damage.
once or twice is not an issue, but don't get in a habit. As a side note, the problem that can occur from damaging the sear/hammer is a possible full-auto burst

One thing you could do is use this as an opportunity to have a tuned trigger installed... so if you were fine with the RIA trigger (one I owned before was actually quite good), then the factory may be an option- but if there's room for improvement, then Bert could make it better than RIA ever would (just reality in a mass-produced pistol)

[ChadAmberg]

I've had a 1911 repaired by the folks at Armscor. Call them up, they're very helpful, they'll cover shipping both ways. They did a polish and action job on mine for free, and sent some swag back when they were done. Great service from those guys...

[robertcolorado2009]

thanks every one for ALL of your ideas. Very much appreciated. I love this forum. I will post what I find out, thanks again all!

[SideShow Bob]

thanks every one for ALL of your ideas. Very much appreciated. I love this forum. I will post what I find out, thanks again all!

So, what did you end up determining was the cause of the slam fire ?