Handguns, Rifles & Shotguns > Handguns

1970 Colt Commander Gunsmith

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OnTheFly:
My son and I went out to shoot a Colt Commander that was passed down to me.  We shot about five magazines.  On the last round of the last magazine, I was looking down the slide and the front sight was gone.  We looked all over, but could not find it. 

We had a few other problems that I would like to see addressed. 
Two times we had something similar to a stovepipe, but the spent case was in the ejection port turned 180 degrees.  I have read about "Limp Wristing" guns and how it can cause issues with the gun cycling, but I'm not sure if that is a myth or was the cause in our case. 

Another issue was that the cases were being thrown in several directions.  Sometimes behind, sometimes to the side, an sometimes in my son's face.  I've heard that the 1911s do this sometime, but can this be solved? 

Sooooo, I need to find a gunsmith to fix these problems.  I called Colt who I would like to have do the work, but the gun is not under warranty and I'm not sure how reasonable they would be on repair costs.  I would also have to overnight the gun to them via FedEx or UPS which would add to the cost.

Are there any local 1911 gunsmith gurus around Lincoln?

Thanks,
Fly

justsomeguy:
Cylinder and Slide in Freemont specializes in 1911's. They are easily one of the top five smiths in the nation but be prepaired to wait. If you call tomorrow you might get it in in ten months or so.

bullit:
+1 on C&S who advertises 60-90 day turn around times now.  I'd recommend a drive up to Fremont and visit with them.  They're great folks and it is an experience just to go up there. 
 Mike Schlereth in Lincoln just rebuilt a 1911 for me, but.......it took about a year, and he is not taking any new business for a couple of months due to backlog/demand. 
With regards to ejection issues....  "Tuning" the extractor can help.  Probably need a new one.

"Limp Wristing" is a true phenomenon, which more commonly results in the pistol not returning to battery, and not very common in 1911s and personally I have never  heard of or seen it happening with a 1911.
 
 How old are the magazines?   If they are original/old I am betting that is the better part of your "stovepipe" issue.  I can assure you the spring(s) are set.  Invest in some new ones regardless.  I am partial to Chip McCormick and Wilson. 
Finally, being new to the 1911, I'd recommend you purchase "The Colt .45 Automatic: A Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen.  Just need volume 1.  It is the "Bible" of the 1911 and very good reading, pictures, maintenance tips, etc. Check Amazon.com

SS_N_NE:
Try a new magazine and replace the recoil spring. I would lean towards the recoil spring being the main problem...and a cheap fix.

OnTheFly:
Thanks for the input guys. 

Fly

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