1911 question

[Howler]

Our field rep was in town today and brought his Para 1911 with him. He asked if I wanted to go shoot it and of course I said yes. I go to insert the magazine and it wouldn't go past the mag release button. He told me that the button had to be pressed for the mag to go in. Said its always been like that. Both factory mags did the exact same thing. I never tried to force them because the gun didn't belong to me. That's not right, is it?

[Joe357]

IMHO, you should not have to press the mag release to fully seat the magazine. I have owned a couple of para experts and a few other 1911's and didn't have to press the magazine release to fully insert the magazine.

[TnShooter83]

The only Para I have shot is the Para P14.45.

I did not have to press the mag release in.

 

I can see no reason why you would even make or want a pistol you have to do that to in order to insert the mag?
 

[Lowpower]

I wonder if the mag release is properly seating in the frame. Was there part of the release sticking out of the right side of the frame?

[Howler]

I've never owned a 1911. I have shot a few and don't remember if the mag button had to be pushed or not. I think I would have remembered that, but who knows.

[vontar]

I don't have a Para, but my 1911 GSG .22 it just goes in. 

[timcalhoun]

The 1911 is designed to seat a mag without pressing the mag button.

 

Often the 8 round mags are tough to seat when they are full anyway and some guns need man handled. You won't hurt them by treating them like a sturdy tool when seating a mag. 

 

If however it remains a PITA you can put a lighter spring in the mag release and that will often get one where they want to go….

[toby1304]

I'm with timcalhoun on this one. Sounds like the spring is too stout.

[Mike.357]

yep bang it hard with the butt of your hand to seat it.  Even in my lowlife RI it takes a stout smack to seat an 8 rounder.

[Guest kingarmory]

The mag catch on the Para isn't profiled right (I think its a MIM part).  Either reprofile it or replace it

[Ugly]

It's a mag release, not mag install button. I'd say there is something wrong with that 1911.

[tnhawk]

I've never handled a Para, but have about a dozen 1911s.  None of them require depressing the mag release to load a magazine.

[TNMTBik3r]

I have a brand new Para Expert, slap the mag home and then press the release to release the mag. Nothing to press when loading, except the slide release once the mag is inserted. Sounds like that rep was just trying to cover up an issue.

[Jonnin]

Yep, there is a defect that should be easy to fix.  My para, and indeed all other 1911s I have shot, looked at, or whatever, do not have this issue.  You have a bad part. 

 

I have heard a lot of horror stories about para, but mine is a sweet gun.   Yes, it uses mim parts and yes, my extractor had an air bubble in it that caused it to break.  They sent me another next day air at no cost --- have your friend give them a call, and 10 min on the web should show him a video on how to change out that part.   If that is typical of their service, he should be cured inside 2 days.

Edited May 28, 2014 by Jonnin

[E4 No More]

It's broketadid for sure! :)