Author Topic: 1911 troubleshoot??? (Read 1459 times)

TylerC · « **on:** February 11, 2012, 08:25:26 PM »

Well I picked up a para gi expert new in the box a few weeks ago, and today I had my first chance to shoot it. The pistol shot and functioned fine for the first 50 or so rounds. Then every few rounds the trigger would feel like something hadn't reset and wouldn't fire. But after a couple pulls of the trigger it would fire and work for another few rounds. At first I thought it was teething problems so i gave it another 50 or so rounds and it kept doing the same thing. When I got it home I tried to duplicate it with an empty gun and I couldn't get it to happen. Is there some things I could check for to see where the problem might be? Is this a common problem with new 1911's?

carharttfarmer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:48:17 PM »

Are you keeping the grip safety depressed?

Jaggy13 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:06:53 PM »

Quote from: carharttfarmer on February 11, 2012, 08:48:17 PM

Are you keeping the grip safety depressed?

That's what it sounds like to me as well.

Try taking your normal grip and with an empty pistol, ride your thumb on the thumb safety and try and dry fire it.
If it fails to drop the hammer, then lower your thumb below the safety and see if that allows it to fire.
If that simulates the issue, you just need to fit the grip safety.

I shoot with my thumb on the thumb safety and that changes the way your palm rests on the back strap and has an effect on the engagement of the grip safety.

popsgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:27:27 PM »

ALL new guns need to be cleaned and LUBED, also sounds like the middle leg of the sear spring is a tad weak, that can be reflexed easily.
AAAAhhhh Para.
Pops

No-One · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2012, 07:39:13 AM »

If changing your grip doesn't fix it I would contact Para and arrange for them to fix it . If you purchased it locally whoever you bought it from should be able to help facilitate the return .

TylerC · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2012, 10:04:48 AM »

I know it's not the grip safety because I taped it down to troubleshoot whether or not it was my grip. Don't know why I didn't put that in the original post. I did lube it and I tend to keep my pistols rather wet. Looks like after I clean it my new toy is going to go on a little trip. Hopefully Para doesn't take too long, I really enjoyed shooting this pistol.

tgibson · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2012, 11:21:11 AM »

The LAST thing I'd do is send it back to Para. There are at least two competent gunsmiths in the valley who could have this fixed in a matter of about 25 minutes. By the time you figure in shipping, it will be cheaper too.
Adios,
TG

birddog1989 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2012, 12:41:42 PM »

While that is a valid point, the problem with not sending new malfunctioning guns back to the manufacturer is that they then don't know what is going wrong with them. So for my .02 I would send it back.

TylerC · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2012, 01:01:53 PM »

I'm going to call them monday and see what para will do. It's going to go to a smith soon as I want an adjustable rear sight so I might just keep it in town.

J Mack · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2012, 01:10:11 PM »

Quote from: tgibson on February 12, 2012, 11:21:11 AM

There are at least two competent gunsmiths in the valley who could have this fixed in a matter of about 25 minutes.
Adios,
TG

Quote from: birddog1989 on February 12, 2012, 12:41:42 PM

While that is a valid point, the problem with not sending new malfunctioning guns back to the manufacturer is that they then don't know what is going wrong with them. So for my .02 I would send it back.

Both valid points!
Another thing to consider is what happens if you pick someone other than the two competent gunsmiths TGibson speaks of but doesn’t mention?
Will Para stand behind a pistol that been goat screwed?

No-One · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2012, 01:22:52 PM »

Quote from: tgibson on February 12, 2012, 11:21:11 AM

The LAST thing I'd do is send it back to Para. There are at least two competent gunsmiths in the valley who could have this fixed in a matter of about 25 minutes. By the time you figure in shipping, it will be cheaper too.
Adios,
TG

1. He shouldn't have to pay for shipping .
2. He shouldn't have to pay for someone to fix something that they shipped screwed up .

If his plan was to gut the pistol and have it modified to his liking I would be completely on board with having someone local look at it .

The fact that pistol manufacturers are willing to take a week or more of someones paychecks and deliver a non-performing firearm is complete and utter crap . If I came out and did a week or 2 worth of electrical work for you and it didn't work the way you it was designed would your first thought be to hire another electrician to come fix my shoddy workmanship or would you want me to come back fix it on my dime ?

dutch1911 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:05:25 PM »

Just a thought... You stated you have cleaned it. How far did you take it down? Are you certain you reassembled it correctly?

fj40mojo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:07:24 PM »

Good points by all. Having recent dealings with Para I gotta say I'm not real impressed with their costumer service. Sent them an email a week ago concerning the cracked frame on my alloy P12 and have heard nothing back from them. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence that your problem would be addressed in a timely manner. If you want to get your pistol back up and running now you may want to have the problem addressed locally. If you're in no hurry let the mfg handle it.

TylerC · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:27:32 PM »

Quote from: dutch1911 on February 12, 2012, 02:05:25 PM

Just a thought... You stated you have cleaned it. How far did you take it down? Are you certain you reassembled it correctly?

I didn't detail strip it, I field stripped it and removed the stocks. Sprayed the action out with hoppe's gun cleaner and lubricated everything, I used clp on the action and moly grease on the slide.

luvmy45 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2012, 02:30:33 PM »

It's a 1911. Probably an easy fix. The only reason in my mind to return the gun to the Manu is if you have frame failure or some other major issue. Something that a $10 part can't fix...

tgibson · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2012, 05:47:01 PM »

Quote from: fj40mojo on February 12, 2012, 02:07:24 PM

Good points by all. Having recent dealings with Para I gotta say I'm not real impressed with their costumer service. Sent them an email a week ago concerning the cracked frame on my alloy P12 and have heard nothing back from them. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence that your problem would be addressed in a timely manner. If you want to get your pistol back up and running now you may want to have the problem addressed locally. If you're in no hurry let the mfg handle it.

^^^^^. This. Good luck.
Adios
TG

TylerC · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2012, 06:35:59 PM »

Quote from: luvmy45 on February 12, 2012, 02:30:33 PM

It's a 1911. Probably an easy fix. The only reason in my mind to return the gun to the Manu is if you have frame failure or some other major issue. Something that a $10 part can't fix...

This is what I figured, It's my first basic 1911. I've been spoiled with kimber and les baer, I figured I needed to feel how a basic one shoots.

Thanks for all the replies I'm thinking I'm going to take it to a smith and let them figure it out. If Para can't get it right the first time why should I think they'll get it right the second?

fj40mojo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2012, 08:52:41 PM »

Quote from: TylerC on February 12, 2012, 06:35:59 PM

This is what I figured, It's my first basic 1911. I've been spoiled with kimber and les baer, I figured I needed to feel how a basic one shoots.

Thanks for all the replies I'm thinking I'm going to take it to a smith and let them figure it out. If Para can't get it right the first time why should I think they'll get it right the second?

You're not doing anything to improve my outlook on Para Ord customer service.

TylerC · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2012, 09:16:26 PM »

Quote from: fj40mojo on February 13, 2012, 08:52:41 PM

You're not doing anything to improve my outlook on Para Ord customer service.

I went through this with Burris once about a varmit scope I had. It would go out of focus when I set it to the infinite setting. They sent it back to me twice with no change in the focus. I even marked it the second time to see if they even touched it. The third time they sent me a new scope and problem solved. Each time I sent it out, it took three months to get it back only for me to send it back the next week. I just don't want that to happen again.

Jaggy13 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2012, 09:48:15 PM »

Can you reproduce it dry firing?

I had an issue with a bent hammer strut on a pistol that would only show up when you shot it. the hammer would lock back because the strut would wedge against the frame. Only happened when fired and it was a bear to troubleshoot!

Point being that if you have to shoot it to see the issue, you may get the same issue shipped back to you as you described with the burris...

If I were in your shoe's I would at least have Pete at RK take a peek at it. He shoots and builds para's among other 1911's.
Or another smith and just ask them to take a peek and have them render a verdict.

If it's craftsmanship then you know to send it in. If its a sear spring... They can bend it for you and send you on your way with a functioning pistol.

TylerC · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:33:28 AM »

Quote from: Jaggy13 on February 13, 2012, 09:48:15 PM

Can you reproduce it dry firing?

I had an issue with a bent hammer strut on a pistol that would only show up when you shot it. the hammer would lock back because the strut would wedge against the frame. Only happened when fired and it was a bear to troubleshoot!

Point being that if you have to shoot it to see the issue, you may get the same issue shipped back to you as you described with the burris...

If I were in your shoe's I would at least have Pete at RK take a peek at it. He shoots and builds para's among other 1911's.
Or another smith and just ask them to take a peek and have them render a verdict.

If it's craftsmanship then you know to send it in. If its a sear spring... They can bend it for you and send you on your way with a functioning pistol.

I've been trying to reproduce it with an empty chamber with no luck. I think someone else also mentioned this. Looks like I gotta get off my butt and take it in.

popsgunner · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2012, 01:26:17 PM »

If you bring it to us, please make sure you bring in all the mags and the ammo you are using.
Pops

dutch1911 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:28:37 PM »

Give em hell pops!
My moneys on the main spring.

popsgunner · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:11:37 PM »

Ok so here it is, assuming Tylerc brings the gun in to us to check out,
All who wish with a one to three word "Fix", tell me what you thunk is wrong with Tylerc's para....
Winner gets a free pizza of their choice..
GO
Pops

tgibson · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:22:09 PM »

Weak three fingered spring.
Adios,
TG