Is this GAP okay?

[ar1911]

Took my new 1911 to the range today and noticed something I hadn't noticed before. There is a small gap at the rear of the ejection port between the rear of the barrel and the slide. It is .002 to .003". Is this okay/normal/semi common, or is this a problem or barrel fit issue?

Update: Wasn't paying attention to what I typed last night. The gap is .02 to .03", big difference to what I actually typed.


By krummyfisher at 2012-06-22

Thanks.

[MidwestRookie]

looks like a chamber loaded indicator for kaliforniastan?

[ar1911]

Originally Posted by MidwestRookie

looks like a chamber loaded indicator for kaliforniastan?

Hmmmm....... I wouldn't be surprised, BUT, the gap is there whether there is a round in the chamber or not. The top hood of the barrel still makes contact with the slide, it's just a gap on the side. The ejection port on this 1911 is longer than my other, and my other 1911 ejection port is cut such that such a gap doesn't show, it's got some overlap of the barrel by the slide.

[Fred]

Yes, it certainly does look like a loaded chamber indicator.

[ggun]

Originally Posted by ar1911

the gap is there whether there is a round in the chamber or not.

The way it works is when there is a bullet in the barrel, you can see the brass shining through, that's the indicator; when it's black, it's empty (supposedly).

I is from kalifornistan.

[Nick A]

Gee, I wonder if that gap is there
so you can see the rim
if the chamber is loaded?

And it must look black
if the chamber is empty.

[ar1911]

Interesting. I don't claim to be a 1911 expert, but I have seen and shot quite a few of them, and have never seen anything like this before. I have seen the top of the barrel hood have a notch at the back for a loaded chamber indicator, but nothing like this. Definitely interesting, guess you learn something new every day.

Thanks for the input, glad to know it's not a fitting issue and I don't have to worry about it being a problem.

[sum4all]

Is that a Ruger 1911? I wouldn't be surprised if it is, seeing as if they put all kinds of things to make sure that you know there's a round in the chamber.

[SDawson]

I have a new Longslide and barrel from Fusion and there is a space simular but a bit narrower. I did not ask for it nor was there any mention of it from Fusion. I have seen it on some pistols from high end builders also. I'm in California.

[custom2]

I doubt it is a loaded chamber indicator.

What brand pistol is it?

[scottl]

Originally Posted by custom2

I doubt it is a loaded chamber indicator.

What brand pistol is it?

Maybe this one?
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=371095

[ar1911]

Originally Posted by scottl

Maybe this one?
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=371095

Yup, that one.

RIA 2011 tactical.

[ggun]

Another indicator is if you pull the trigger and it goes "boom", then it was loaded.

They're all loaded.

[Bradd D]

Is it an LCI or just an anomaly associated with a $400 1911?

[guysmith]

The later option. I would have it checked out by a COMPETENT gunsmith familiar with 1911's. I have 2 1911 at present, and have shot many others and don't recall seeing anything like that. Sounds to me like the barrel hood wasn't completely fitted correctly/completely. I would NOT shoot the pistol until it was checked out. If a casing was to rupture, that gap would allow hot gas and shrapnel to escape out the gap. Which would be dangerous for you and anyone standing near by.

[guysmith]

The later option. It is NOT a Loaded Chamber Indicator. I would have it checked out by a COMPETENT gunsmith familiar with 1911's. I have 2 1911 at present, and have shot many others and don't recall seeing anything like that. Sounds to me like the barrel hood wasn't completely fitted correctly/completely. I would NOT shoot the pistol until it was checked out. If a casing was to rupture, that gap would allow hot gas and shrapnel to escape out the gap. Which would be dangerous for you and anyone standing near by.

[ken_mays]

Not a problem IMHO. Depending on the barrel and slide, you can have a gap like that even if the barrel is fitted correctly. The case head should be fully supported with that setup.

The place you want to worry about gaps is between the end of the barrel hood and the breechface.

I'd be a little more worried about whether the extractor nose is bumping against the barrel, it looks awfully close in that photo.

[2Tap]

That looks like a mighty purposeful cut. 99.99% certainty on my part the intent is LCI (albeit a generous one, compared to others). Certainly does not appear to be an accident. Any residual doubts, reference the manufacturer (or owner's manual).

[ar1911]

Originally Posted by 2Tap

That looks like a mighty purposeful cut. 99.99% certainty on my part the intent is LCI (albeit a generous one, compared to others). Certainly does not appear to be an accident. Any residual doubts, reference the manufacturer (or owner's manual).

Nothing in the owners manual I can find, but the RIA's come with a pretty generic manual.

I did send Armscor an e-mail with the picture yesterday. Figured it would be best to get the story straight from the manufacturer. Hopefully I hear something in the next couple of days.

[custom2]

Originally Posted by 2Tap

That looks like a mighty purposeful cut. 99.99% certainty on my part the intent is LCI (albeit a generous one, compared to others). Certainly does not appear to be an accident. Any residual doubts, reference the manufacturer (or owner's manual).

I have never seen a LCI that wasn't on the top of the barrel. Why would they leave a gap on the ejection port side to check for a loaded chamber?

Every example of a LCI I have ever seen (Kimber, Sig and Ruger) has had it on the top of the barrel.

It is not a LCI, it is a gap.

[Tonimus]

I highly suspect it's a manufacturing issue. It looks as though the cut for the barrel hood to match the ejection port went too far. Armscor/RIA has a lifetime warranty and the people I've talked to there seem to be really professional. Please, let us know what they say.

[Griz44]

On the Rock Island website, the only 1911 they show the right side of, looks exactly like your picture, I pulled all three of my Rocks from the safe, and they all have the same cut. Drop a round in, you can clearly see the case rim shining through the gap. Loaded round indicator is clearly the function and intent of the cut.

[ggun]

I recognized it from my S&W immediately.

[ar1911]

Ok, so official word from RIA/Armscor. It is NOT a loaded chamber indicator. And it is NOT a defect. It is by design, but the design change in question is: "The gap on your 2011 was machined to make a large ejection port relief for efficient ejection". He said as long as the barrel hood makes contact with the slide it's good to go.

I had mentioned the difference between this gun and my other RIA 1911 and this was the response "We've changed ejection port styles since last year".

Now that I have the official answer I am much more comfortable to continue shooting it.

I'm also wondering how many more posts this thread will get on the topic of "is this ejection point change really needed, and does it serve a purpose/help with anything?".

Thanks for all the input guys, and as I have read on several posts the Armscor/RIA customer service was great. I sent that e-mail Saturday evening, and had a response by about lunch time today. They obviously keep up with their e-mail questions/requests pretty good, I was expecting it to take a least a few days using other similar experiences with manufacturers as reference.

[ar1911]

Originally Posted by ken_mays

I'd be a little more worried about whether the extractor nose is bumping against the barrel, it looks awfully close in that photo.

I did check this a little closer as well, and it looks like there is the proper clearance, not chance of it bumping against the barrel. Checked it against the barrel/slide fit of another gun and it is the same.

Thanks for the thought, you're right, in the picture it looks almost like it is touching.