If you own a series 80 "1911" read this.

flintknapper · #1

I have a Stainless Para-Ordnance P-13 that I've owned for about 10 years. All in all... its been a pretty decent pistol. Naturally, its a "series 80" design (meaning it has a firing pin block).

Today I was practicing some reloads (not shooting, just reloading from slidelock and dropping the slide on a fresh mag. with a snap-cap). On the third reload...I noticed the slide had not gone all the way into battery, very strange for this pistol. I tapped and racked, same thing. I pushed the slide forward (nothing doing), it wouldn't budge.

I dropped the magazine, pushed the slide back..and engaged the slide stop. Thats when I noticed the plunger (the firing pin block) was hanging out of it's bore about 3/8" inch!

The slide couldn't go back into battery because of this. I immediately disassembled the gun and found that the extractor (a Wilson bullet-proof) had worn in the area that retains the plunger. This had allowed the plunger to take a beating during some recent shooting. It was enough to let it hang out of the slide (but not fall out) when I was practicing.

If this had happened at a time when I needed it most, then woe on me.

I have now removed it (permanently) and will be getting a spacer to replace the "cams" in the frame.

Disclaimer/Warning/Caveat: I am not suggesting anyone perform any modifications to their weapon. I am simply pointing out something that could cause you a problem.

I have many thousands of rounds through this pistol...and a certain amount of "wear and tear" is to be expected... so you might want to look at your extractor if you have a lot of mileage on your pistol.

I thought I was familar with every clearance drill there is for auto pistols, but this one caught me by surprise. The scary part is: It could have cost me my life on a different day...and under different circumstances.

Check 'em out guys and gals![/b]

jimlongley · #2

I check my extractor, and ejector, regularly, but is a Para really the same as a Series 80? I thought the basic principle was the same, but the mechanics are different.

I have an actual Series 80 and the only time it has ever presented much of a problem was when I reassembled it from a detail strip and got the little boomerang shaped thingy (trigger bar lever) in the wrong position, then it wouldn't go bang at all.

flintknapper · #3

jimlongley wrote:I check my extractor, and ejector, regularly, but is a Para really the same as a Series 80? I thought the basic principle was the same, but the mechanics are different.

I have an actual Series 80 and the only time it has ever presented much of a problem was when I reassembled it from a detail strip and got the little boomerang shaped thingy (trigger bar lever) in the wrong position, then it wouldn't go bang at all.

Yup,

They're the same.

The critical area is the small "shelf" built into the extractor (different from a 70 series) that can wear enough to let the plunger drop down.

See drawing:

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/s80fpb.htm

#4

flintknapper:

Thanks for the heads-up on this one. I've never had this happen to any of my 80's, but I'll be taking a close look at the firing pin at every cleaning.

Chas.

jimlongley · #5

Me too!

BSB · #6

My Colt Combat Elite started doing that and it was just the firing pin spring. After 10,000 rounds the spring got weed enough to let the keeper fall. As I read your post I believe it is the same problem.

Good Luck! BSB

flintknapper · #7

BSB wrote:My Colt Combat Elite started doing that and it was just the firing pin spring. After 10,000 rounds the spring got weed enough to let the keeper fall. As I read your post I believe it is the same problem.

Good Luck! BSB

There are several things to watch for on series 80 pistols that I was previously aware of. It is rare to hear of any significant problems with them.

In my case, it had nothing to do with the firing pin or spring, but the extractor had literally worn (in the shelf) to the degree that it would not capture the plunger any longer. It appears the plunger had been taking a beating for a while.. because I noticed some galling around the top of the bore. Apparently, this combination allowed it to drop down.

I am reporting this only as a caution to those with "high mileage" guns to periodically check the "extractor". If your weapon is just a "shooter" then no worries. But in my case, the pistol is also my carry weapon.

The type of malfunction I experienced would have left me dead in the water.

I have already contacted Wilson Combat about this, they have agreed to replace the extractor. The area I'm talking about is the first "notch" after the slot for the firing pin stop (kind of a half round). You'll see a small shelf in this area when you pull your extractor.

BSB · #8

That would not have happened if it was a Colt........................I had to say it.

J/K BSB

flintknapper · #9

BSB wrote:That would not have happened if it was a Colt........................I had to say it.

J/K BSB

I appreciate the humor (I guess), but I believe "Wilson" parts are normally of excellent quality. Remember, it was the "extractor" that failed not the Para-Ordnance pistol.

As I write this...I am looking at the piece of paper that comes with the Wilson "Bullet Proof" extractor, it reads verbatim: This is the toughest extractor made. If this part ever breaks or wears out, we'll replace it for free."[/b]

Mine may well have been "Bullet Proof" but sadly was not "Plunger Proof".

Unfortunately, I will not be able to report if it happens again...because I will not be reinstalling the firing pin block.