Excellent so far!
Installed this SS Extended Slide release on my Springfield Armory GI 1911-A1. Functions perfectly. Now I don't have to reach far with my thumb and change my grip to release the slide. The item received had quite a few sharp corners and edges that I took care of with a couple passes of a file and then I polished it to match my gun.
Needs Finishing on Contact Surfaces
This extended slide stop took a good half-second to a second off my reload times...when it worked. It also drove me nuts until I figured out what the problem was. I installed it on my Springfield 9mm 1911 as part of a small-parts upgrade. The problem: it only locked back half the time. First, I looked at the magazines, adjusted the followers...worked fine cycling the slide by hand, but still locked back only half the time in live fire. Changed the recoil springs...still no joy. Finally, I noticed it was scratching the side of my gun. Looking at the contact surface on the inside of the slide stop lever, it was a raw casting. There was no finishing at all on the surfaces. I stoned the surfaces smooth, expecting this would solve the problem. Back to the range...still no joy!! Now, it was time to look closely. I'm so far-sighted, when I take my glasses off, my focal length is less than 4 inches from my face. It's like having a built-in 4X magnifier! I saw a small dent in the frame rail where the slide stop rides up in a slot. A clue!! Stoning the top edges of that slot in the slide stop, rounding off the sharpness and taking off a casting burr or two, and mirable dictu...perfect performance. For a name like Wilson Combat to ship a product that not only scars the side of the gun, but also fails to work, is disappointing. The only silver lining is that I learned a lot about pre-examining parts and pro-actively cleaning up rough edges and casting burrs.
7B WILSON EXTENDED SLIDE RELEASE,BLUED
This isn't a drop in for my Ruger SR1911. Upon the first install the slide bound and the mag follower couldn't push it up to lock the slide back. It was so stiff it took a bit of persuasion to get it back out. If this happens to you, you'll either need to take it to a gunsmith or a set of needle files. Since I'm also a toolmaker I chose the latter. After much filing in 3 different areas and over an hour of file, fit, remove etc it is now as smooth as the factory Ruger one. It was initially binding on the slide itself. I had to open up the slot between the slide catch hub and the follower engagement knob. Make sure to file on the follower engagement side! VERY important. Next was where it actually engages the slide to lock it open. Smoothing that out on the tapered side and slightly rounding the top edge on the FACE only. Not in the slot. Next was main body where it actually would rub on the frame. Removed all the casting marks and ribbing. Only problem now is I have bare metal which as we know RUSTS easily. So either I'll pick up a home bluing kit or have it done professionally. Haven't decided yet. I would have expected a whole lot more better fit and finish from such a reputable name as Wilson Combat.
Good looking, but needs real improvement
Outwardly, this is a great looking extended slide release, and with the Wilson Combat name on it one would think it would be finished to perfection. Well, not so. My specimen, I believe, is typical. It did drop right into my Kimber CDPII. But, then the problems started. The face of the release, that part which contacts the plunger tube pin, was rough and had a casting ridge in it. It was so bad that none of my magazines had enough spring power to fully push the slide release up into the slide notch. I fixed the problem using 320, 600 and 1000 grit wet or dry, sanding on a flat piece of glass. It took about 20 minutes. Wilson does say that this part may require "minor fitting", but 20 minutes at shop prices is getting up there. So, that problem was fixed. But, there's another problem which I put in the category of "design issue". When the slide release is fully engaged in the slide notch, the plunger tube pin nearly runs out of metal to rest on. In other words, the slide release is too skinny at the bottom. It needs more meat there to fully support the plunger pin. I can see the day when the pin may pop outward and lock the slide in the up position. My factory Kimber release has no such issue and the face of the Kimber slide release is mirror smooth. My opinion is that the standard Kimber slide release is far superior to the Wilson Combat product. Since I prefer an extended slide release I'm going to stay with the Wilson Combat for now. But if it ever goofs up, even once, in the trash it goes. My Kimber slide release will always be at hand in my range bag.
Unsatisfied
Ordered for a Kimber Desert Warrior. Would not allow the slide to "slingshot" closed and had to be manually depressed.
