Extended slide stop

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black029

Single-Sixer
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
439
Location
Cary NC USA
An suggestions as to the better commercial versions of these available? I have one that came stock on a 30 year old Gold Cup and find it the only way to go, with my little paws.
I assume Ruger's version of this part is dimensionally the same as Colt's, although I didn't try to interchange the two.
 
On my first SR, the slide stop pin that goes through the barrel link is just slightly smaller diameter than standard. You may have to change the link or drill out the one you have.
 
I installed this Wilson Combat extended slide stop and it works well for me.
The color matches the black oxide/blued(?) safety and mag release well.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/678448/wilson-combat-extended-slide-stop-1911-45-acp-blue

IMG_2496a_zps9bf92f01.jpg
 
Sometimes, the added mass of extended slide stops can bring a few problems to the table.

For me, it's easier, faster, and less fumble-prone to reach up and pull the stop down with the left thumb as you slam the magazine in.
 
Tuner, I could do that, but wonder what you mean about "problems"?
BTW, did just today install a Wilson such as Dirt recommended. Drop in part, just dropped in. No fitting at all. Actually, an easier release the OEM Ruger slide release. I am very pleased.
 
I could do that, but wonder what you mean about "problems"?

On a handful of pistols that have come across my bench with extended slidestops, a few had a maddening habit of prematurely locking the slide. Everything else checked out as to the cause...but they still did it intermittently...and usually when the owner least needed for it to happen.

When the stops were replaced with standard units, the problems vanished.

One guy was so disgusted that he just went back to the original and told me that I could have it...or toss it...or beat it flat with a hammer. He didn't care.

Curious, I asked him to stick around and I whittled the extended part off and tried it in his pistol again. The problem was gone.

The only thing that I could figure was that the added mass/inertia was causing it to bounce during recoil and partially engage the notch.

Of course, the standard cure is to file a shallow notch or drill a dimple for the plunger, but to me, it's added work...and I'm lazy. I've done it, but it's one of those operations that I hate.

And sometimes the shooter's thumb will bump it into engagement, but that's usually pretty simple to address once it's identified. Usually.
 
Tuner, I knew of the "thumb bump" issue, but the other was news. Hard to imagine that the mass, maybe the weight of a thumbtack, of the extension could cause that, but I have no doubt that you proved that it is probable if not just outright the cause.
There must be something there, as there used to be more factory 1911's with extensions on them, years ago, and today it is rare to see them, at least in my limited vision.
I am keeping the original in a safe place.
 
Hard to imagine that the mass, maybe the weight of a thumbtack, of the extension could cause that,

I was a little surprised myself, but I couldn't argue with the results.
It may be more a matter of leverage than sheer mass...or a combination of the two.
 
Well, if it doesn't behave, I'll switch it to a Colt 9mm that I picked up yesterday. Government unit, with no extensions, GI hammer and tang. Decent trigger, but no Ruger. Those perfect flats :) Said to be a Talo unit, but I can't find it at their site.
And it shoots ammo that I actually have, and can afford to shoot if and when the panic stops. Just a range fun gun. For $1000.
Although that slide is probably flying just as fast, if measurable.
 
Just a follow up: 75 or so rounds shot and the extended slide release did nothing it shouldn't do. Admittedly a small sample.
 
I have played with them. Wilsons, Houges and others. The Houge is one I should dig out of my junk box and take a picture of. They were like full length guide rods to me; interesting to play with but nothing good, and they cost money.
 
1911Tuner said:
Sometimes, the added mass of extended slide stops can bring a few problems to the table.

For me, it's easier, faster, and less fumble-prone to reach up and pull the stop down with the left thumb as you slam the magazine in.
Absolutely, and you beat me to it. :wink:

The extended ones can pop up and engage when you don't want them to, and/or your thumb can prevent them from engaging when they should. I had one on a gun back in the '80s. It stayed on exactly ONE shooting session before I took it off and threw it in the spare parts ammo can. Today it lives on a semidedicated Ciener .22 conversion, which of course doesn't lock back anyway, just to get SOME use out of it (I hate wasting anything I've paid for).

Mas Ayoob is fond of quoting J. Michael Plaxco as saying, "The slide stop is the reason the Good Lord gave you a left thumb." :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
This is a range gun for me not a carry piece.
While I can see using the left thumb to drop the slide on a reload,
I can't see using it to either lock the slide back w/o a magazine
in place, or how to gently release the slide on an empty chamber.
I was taught not to let a slide slam home on an empty chamber.
 
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