1911 Question! Dust cover gap?

[Pete Zaria]

I just purchased a brand new S&W Compact ES (CCO size; Commander length slide & barrel on a lightweight Officer's frame). It is my first compact 1911 (have only owned government size before).

There is a gap between the front of the frame and the dust cover area of the slide. This may be perfectly normal, but my full-size 1911 does not have this gap, so it concerned me a little. See photo:



Is this normal for a CCO size 1911?

I'll be posting a review of it's fit and finish shortly, and a range report after this weekend.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[SARR001]

While I have never owned a S&W, I have had several 1911s and none of them have had any sort of gap like that. Have the gunsmith at the range look at it before you put any rounds through it.

Edit:
Is it assembled correctly? Pull the slide forward and see if you are holding 2 pieces. I had a Star PD that was a little difficult to get the slide catch pin through the barrel lug and the slide wouldn't go far enough back.

[dukalmighty]

That isn't normal,the barrel and slide are too long for the frame,I can't believe it left the factory like that unless somebody switched something after it left the factory
A commander has a full size frame with a 3/4" shorter barrel and slide 4 1/4",the officers model has a shorter frame and a 3" to 3 1/2" Barrel and slide depending on manufacturer

As far as I can tell the dust cover looks to be at least 1/4" too short

[Pete Zaria]

Here are more pics of it:







I'm emailing S&W for their opinion. Do you guys think I should send it in to S&W? It's unfired.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[dukalmighty]

I would return it for an exchange/refund.I saw a revolver that got out the door with no rifling in the barrel before

[SARR001]

Send it back. My question in the first post is answered as the slide is seated correctly at the rear of the frame. Manufacturer defect.

[retsupt99]

Not normal, I've never seen a 1911 like that before...send it back, it was an error.OMO

[jca1]

did you buy this in person?

[QKShooter]

Highly abnormal and totally unacceptable.
Call them up & get an E-mail address where you can send those PICS of yours to a supervisor who can look at them while you're on the phone.

Tell them that there are thousands of fellow members on DC that are real curious to find out how they intend to resolve that issue.

They had better not charge you any shipping costs to rectify that massive boo boo.

[SIGP250]

I just purchased a brand new S&W Compact ES (CCO size; Commander length slide & barrel on a lightweight Officer's frame). It is my first compact 1911 (have only owned government size before).

There is a gap between the front of the frame and the dust cover area of the slide. This may be perfectly normal, but my full-size 1911 does not have this gap, so it concerned me a little. See photo:



Is this normal for a CCO size 1911?

I'll be posting a review of it's fit and finish shortly, and a range report after this weekend.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

No this is not right. I would not return it to S&W and wait weeks. I would take it back to the dealer. Attached is an image of how an S&W Compact ES should look (click on image to enlarge).

S&W Compact ES.jpg

[AZ Husker]

How in the world did you and the dealer miss that when you bought it?

[doctruptwn]

That's not right. Reminds me of when I put a full size slide on a officer frame, just to see if it could be done.

[Don Glock]

like everyone else here said, that is not normal at all for any 1911. make sure it's put together properly (take it down and reassemble). if that gap is still there, send it back to s&w because something is seriously wrong. definitely don't shoot it like that!

they possibly might have put a full size slide on, instead of the commander length one.

[WHEC724]

How in the world did you and the dealer miss that when you bought it?

'My sentiments as well. What value-add is the dealer providing here by taking whatever comes in and then shoving it out the door? You may as well buy online for the lowest price (and still likely get better service).

I don't mind paying a little more from my dealers as they break each gun down, inspect it, and lovingly place it in the case. Sometimes a tear rolls down their cheek as I fill out the adoption papers.

[Craiger]

"Run Forest Run"
Not normal at all!

I'm not even sure how that can happen