Let the slide slam?

[ed]

I just bought a new Springfield fullsize loaded model.  In the manual, Springfield says never to let the slide slam forward on an empty chamber; doing so could damage the action.  A friend argues that this is what happens every time the gun is fired, so it makes no sense that it could damage the gun.  Obviously this would cause more wear, but does it actually damage the action? Any input?

[bigdaddytacp]

I just bought a new Springfield fullsize loaded model.  In the manual, Springfield says never to let the slide slam forward on an empty chamber; doing so could damage the action.  A friend argues that this is what happens every time the gun is fired, so it makes no sense that it could damage the gun.  Obviously this would cause more wear, but does it actually damage the action? Any input?

........Most people don't let the slide slam on a empty chamber...when the gun shoots it feeds a shell from the mag and the picking up the shell,sliding the rim on the face of the breech and the extractor slipping over the rim slow and extend the force of slamming home when the gun is fired or loading the first round to the chamber to load the gun.......only on precise fitted tight target guns have I seen any real problems with the slide slamming shut on empty chamber but Springfield wants to ere on the side of long life and avoiding problems.....the only reason for dropping the slide is pratice in reloading and for that use some DUMMY pratice rounds that will let you pratice the speed reload and avoid damage and keep the pratice more realistic....imo.....good luck and good shooting!!!

[dclark]

Letting a slide drop on an empty chamber is a big NO_NO on any 1911.  there is no resistance to the impact and you will eventually cause a crack in the frame, most likely at the point of the slice release pin.

dclark

[John Traveler]

Accurized M1911's use long links and cam-over-top fitting between slide, frame, and barrel.  Slamming the slide closed is hard on barrel links and the frame.

On loosely-fitted service pistols, the manual of arms requires slamming the slide closed on an empty chamber.  That never seemed to hurt them.

The advice to never dry fire or let the slide slam closed on an empty chamber is probably a holdover from military range procedures when everything was done "by-the-book".  Light target triggers are also more prone to AD when slides are slammed home.

HTH
John

[ButlerFord45]

Colt Safety and Instruction Manual
Section 5      Maintenance
Assembling After Cleaning
Para 7.  After assembling the pistol, check its function as follows:
.....Pull slide back fully and let it go.  It should fly forward and close over the empty chamber.......
IMPORTANT: Do these checks only after you strip and assemble the pistol.  Do not slam the slide forward at any other time, except when loading.  If you.......


But then again, who reads instructions?   :grin:

[Alice Cooper]

kinber specifically states that this is a no-no, and can affect functioning and reliability.so why do it?

[Mikey]

Overall it is not a good idea to allow the slide to slam forward on an empty chamber and you should avoid the practice.  Mikey.

[litman252]

Lets just say if you let the slide slam shut on a 1911 at a gun shop with out permission, you would not be looked upon very well.  I don't like it done to mine, nor do most other 1911 owners.
If it just might hurt the pistol, why do it??
Very good explanation Bigdaddy.
Tony

[ar-steve]

I had a 1911 springfield with alloy frame ,I  always let the slide go on an empty chaimber,and it cracked right where dclark said it would. I loved the gun and springfield not only fixed it they up graded it...free. I wish I still had it ,but when I do get another it will be a springfield..steve