1911 Mag release re-install question. What am I doing wrong?

I have replaced these a lot of times but not in the last 15 years or so. So I youtubed it and the guy was replacing it on a RIA (Same one Im doing), easy enough. I put the release in and turned the pin 1/4 turn clockwise to try to line it up. Didnt work. So I took the spring and pin out of the old one, put it in the new one and no matter what I do I CANNOT get this thing to line up! The pin slid right into the mag release notch so I dont think it needs to be filed (But I could be wrong). Any ideas? This is really getting frustrating.

Are you trying to put the spring and pin in with the mag catch in the gun?

1. Remove the whole assembly from the gun.

2. Put the spring in, then put the pin in the hole and push the pin in and turn it until it's holding itself in.

3. Put the mag catch into the gun, and turn the pin in the opposite direction (clockwise).

4. You should hear and feel a "click" as the pin pops itself into the notch cut into the frame.

Let me know if this helps.

I have been doing it correctly but I cannot get the pin to seat into the notch.

I'm assuming you mean the notch in the frame. Push the mag catch in slightly (from left to right if you're looking at the back of the frame) as you turn the pin.

I've run into this a couple of times when a new part is used...getting the needle files out was the only solution in some cases. File the part, NOT the slot in the frame.

I concur. Having been building 1911's every day for the past several years, I'm quite sure that the pin lip needs to be filed EVER SO SLIGHTLY UNTIL IT WORKS.

Slightly push in on the mag release until it turns and locks in place. You may have to push it in all the way to release the catch.

Reloader wrote:Slightly push in on the mag release until it turns and locks in place. You may have to push it in all the way to release the catch.

Been trying that for several days. It wont lock in place, thats the problem. Going to do some filing.

Tanker:

I'm in Brandon if you need help.

lima4specter wrote:Tanker:

I'm in Brandon if you need help.

OKI, appreciate it.

Thanks
J