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I just shed a few tears because I got incredibly frustrated trying to break down my STI 1911 (commander frame). I can't for the life of me push the slide release lever out. I followed their instructions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cwe-MNPwk and I've broken it down twice before. It seems I don't have the strength to push it out. Indeed, I had my husband push it out for me the first time. My hands are so tired from trying that I can barely bend my fingers, and it bit me in the meat of my hand once, causing a painful bleeding wound.

Any advice or suggestions?

randomoutburst wrote:I just shed a few tears because I got incredibly frustrated trying to break down my STI 1911 (commander frame). I can't for the life of me push the slide release lever out. I followed their instructions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cwe-MNPwk and I've broken it down twice before. It seems I don't have the strength to push it out. Indeed, I had my husband push it out for me the first time. My hands are so tired from trying that I can barely bend my fingers, and it bit me in the meat of my hand once, causing a painful bleeding wound.

Any advice or suggestions?

First of all, make sure you've taken all tension off of the slide by removing the recoil spring.

Then use the handle of a screwdriver to get the pin started out. Once you get it started, you'll find it easy to withdraw from the other side.

Just a suggestion, if you're having difficulty pushing out the pins, try this block from Brownells. Keeps the gun steady and helps retain pins. I don't have one myself, but I've know others that sing praises:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=5084 ... ench_Block" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

randomoutburst wrote:I just shed a few tears because I got incredibly frustrated trying to break down my STI 1911 (commander frame). I can't for the life of me push the slide release lever out. I followed their instructions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cwe-MNPwk and I've broken it down twice before. It seems I don't have the strength to push it out. Indeed, I had my husband push it out for me the first time. My hands are so tired from trying that I can barely bend my fingers, and it bit me in the meat of my hand once, causing a painful bleeding wound.

Any advice or suggestions?

Did you try whispering sweet nothings to it?

TAM - I whisper sweet nothings to it every night before bed.

Excaliber - I did, but it's still so much resistance that it's nearly impossible. Maybe I have sensitive fingers. About ten minutes ago I finally got it, and have been cleaning it as intended...but man, do my fingers hurt. I guess it will loosen up the more I mess with it...

lkd - That looks helpful, and I may get one...but it's not having to simultaneously hold the slide that's the problem. I have a tool for the RecoilMaster that makes holding the slide unnecessary, as all tension is removed. It's just pushing that darn release out.

Barrel with bushing:
1. Remove magazine, clear weapon, inspect chamber, mag well to confirm clear.
2. Remove barrel bushing and recoil spring with tool if needed, and ensure you control spring so you don't get whacked in the face.
3. Continue break down as needed.

Bull barrel without bushing:

1. Remove magazine, clear weapon, inspect chamber, mag well to confirm clear.
2. Cycle slide to take down position and hold in place with strong hand.
3. Use weak hand to pull pin from the frame using the "wiggle" technique....ie, wiggle up and down a bit as you pull.
4. Continue break down as needed.

Long term courses of action:

1. Get stronger.
- Conduct target focused strength training of grip, hand and arm strength using resistance tools (weights, etc) and or the gun itself.

2. SHOOT the begeezis out of the gun.
- New guns don't really come into their own until after at least 1K rounds imo, and that's when they really start to feel smooth, and they get a bit looser.

If you put a little grease or oil on the pin it will come out much easier in the future.

Sometime the alignment of the notch in the slide with the tab on the slide lock pin is non-intuitive. It's not enough to just align the notch with the grooved finger-pad. you have to align the crescent-shaped inner cutout with the corresponding tab on the inside edge of that extension.
Once spring pressure is off by pulling the front plug, you should be able to move the slide back and forth about 1/8" while pushing lightly on the pin from the other side. It also helps to push up lightly on the slide lock, because at it's lowest point it has a lip that catches behind the edge of the frame.

So, with your left hand you are gripping the muzzle end of the slide and frame, and adjusting the fore-aft position slightly as you feel for the notch with your other hand
With your right middle finger you are pushing on the pin from the back side.
With your right thumb you are pushing up on the slide lock.

You will be able to feel it when you hit the "sweet spot" and the pin will come right out.




On new pistols it can be a bit stiff, even more so going back in. I had to file the one on my SA Gi stainless before it would behave.

Texas Dan Mosby wrote: 1. Remove magazine,

I forget this part all the time, even after clearing the gun.
If that pin isn't coming out it's usually because an empty mag is in the grip.

Field stripping is the one thing I don't like about the 1911. Otherwise they are great. It's much easier to breakdown a Sig.

The only Sigs I have are a GSR and a P238, so I can't relate

A plastic pick or punch would help in removal and not mar the frame.

Just stop cleaning it until it decides to behave.

I forget this part all the time, even after clearing the gun.

I treat firearms handling the way NASA treats a shuttle launch. Like the space shuttle, my arms must meet standards in accordance with a checklist prior to every launch/action, EVERY time, NO exceptions.

Clear checklist:

1. Firearm pointed in safe direction.
2. Drop mag
3. Lock slide to rear.
4. conduct 3 point inspection (a. chamber b. mag well c. breach face)

General handling checklist:

1. Firearm pointed in safe direction.
2. Trigger finger outside of trigger well.
3. Check safety, if equipped, and safe as applicable.
4. Confirm status of chamber hot / cold.
5. Correct status as needed.

etc....

Checklists, be they written or mental, are excellent tools to prevent the unintended / negligent launch of space shuttles and bullets alike.

And be verrrrryy careful putting the slide stop BACK IN so you don't leave an idiot mark!