My FIL purchased a never shot( looks factory new to me) 1975 colt trophy sumtin model 70 1911.

As I was at MrsZ mothers 60th( she loves me, thinks I da bestes) party past weekend, I asked to see it.

note: no ammo present, around , nearby etc. etc.etc

FIL handed me gun, closed. I safety ck as I was learn ed. Could not get the gun to go into battery. Hand back open, as I was learn ed. He ( FIL, jury is still out on his approval) cannot get said to go into battery.

Hands back to me.

I pull mag, insert mag, slide release and battery. Thumb hammer,trigger, decock.

Im in no way a 1911 even novice. Im sure in the past I've shot one.

We"we" must have been doing sumtin wrong. It jus seems odd.

My friends please enlighten me, owning him ( FIL)comes few and far.

note 2: it was a party, sooo, but

thank you in advance 

 

Given you understand some of the general operation of a 1911.  Failure to return to battery w/o magazine in place would suggest it was taken apart and when reassembled the slide stop is not installed into the barrel lug properly.

Mag in place, remove mag, insert mag, battery. 

Somebody dinked with this huh?

The recoil spring is 42 years old (if original & unfired).  May have had a hiccup?  Is it a plastic ultra-short guide rod that gives the recoil spring a chance to bend outta shape?  Call Brownell's in Iowa & ask to speak to one of their gunsmiths that handle old .45's.  He may recommend a new Wolf recoil spring to bring that War horse back to 100% reliability  .  And maybe a 2-pc guide rod kit as well....

Replace -ALL- springs.
If the mag springs are orig, replace with a pro set.
Replace guide rod spring with a Wilson flat wire spring.
Replace firing pin spring and the rest.
I had to replace all mine last year in my Colt '78ish vintage.
Should be good to go.



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That means it's broken and you sell to me cheap for disposal.

 

Thank you Gentleman. I will relay the info. Not my gun to sell.

I believe MrsZ and her father are planning a pistol range trip.