problems installing thumb safety - The Firearms Forum

44stevenson · 01-13-2011, 02:18 PM

I just tore down my Springfield 1911-a1 mil spec to put a new trigger in, and that is all i changed. This was my first time taking one of these 1911's all the way down. I have everything re-installed on the lower but I cannot get the thumb safety to go back in. It looks and feel as if the thumb safety is getting hung up on the side of the leaf spring. Can anyone help me with this. By the way this is the factory piece.

Shooter45 · 01-13-2011, 02:28 PM

First make sure you are not against the plunger. Press the safety in at the half way position while pushing against the plunger with a widget or paper clip.

xpertz1 · 01-13-2011, 02:57 PM

Leave the grip safety out and try and insert the thumb safety while looking in thru the opening. You might be running into the side of the sear if the disconnector, sear, hammer relationship is not right.

My guess is the sear is not in the correct position. Try re-installing everything again.

44stevenson · 01-13-2011, 03:05 PM

i know its not hitting the plunger, I'm trying to install it without the plunger for the least amonut of resistance. I'm pretty sure its hitting the side of the leaf spring.

johnlives4christ · 01-13-2011, 04:00 PM

make sure the hammer is cocked. insert or remove the safety with the hammer down

44stevenson · 01-13-2011, 04:04 PM

I've made sure the hammer was cocked all the way

Helix_FR · 01-13-2011, 04:27 PM

like said before cock the hammer, insert the thumb safety with it in the half way position. Not full down, not full up. as your pushing it in rotate it up and down slightly to clear the sear . Now that you got it in, try with the plunger.

Shooter45 · 01-13-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44stevenson

i know its not hitting the plunger, I'm trying to install it without the plunger for the least amonut of resistance. I'm pretty sure its hitting the side of the leaf spring.

The spring shouldn't be in place yet. Remove it and try again.

JLA · 01-13-2011, 04:48 PM

trigger may need to be fit to the track, if the trigger is holding the sear/disconnector back, even if its just a few thousandths, the safety wont go in because its hitting the sear... If the trigger is fit good and sliding freely the length of the track and sitting flush at the rear where the sear spring 'rests' on it, then the safety should pop right in. Also might make sure the sear legs are behind the disconnector and not in front where they sit on the trigger bow, this will also cause problems fitting everything back together... The factory sear/disconnector and safety will fit back together properly if the trigger is fit properly...

01-13-2011, 02:18 PM	#1
44stevenson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	problems installing thumb safety I just tore down my Springfield 1911-a1 mil spec to put a new trigger in, and that is all i changed. This was my first time taking one of these 1911's all the way down. I have everything re-installed on the lower but I cannot get the thumb safety to go back in. It looks and feel as if the thumb safety is getting hung up on the side of the leaf spring. Can anyone help me with this. By the way this is the factory piece. -->

01-13-2011, 02:28 PM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: problems installing thumb safety First make sure you are not against the plunger. Press the safety in at the half way position while pushing against the plunger with a widget or paper clip.

01-13-2011, 02:57 PM	#3
xpertz1 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: N.W. Pa Posts: 8	Re: problems installing thumb safety Leave the grip safety out and try and insert the thumb safety while looking in thru the opening. You might be running into the side of the sear if the disconnector, sear, hammer relationship is not right. My guess is the sear is not in the correct position. Try re-installing everything again. __________________ Peace is that brief, glorious moment in history, when everyone is standing around reloading.

01-13-2011, 03:05 PM	#4
44stevenson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	Re: problems installing thumb safety i know its not hitting the plunger, I'm trying to install it without the plunger for the least amonut of resistance. I'm pretty sure its hitting the side of the leaf spring.

01-13-2011, 04:00 PM	#5
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: problems installing thumb safety make sure the hammer is cocked. insert or remove the safety with the hammer down

01-13-2011, 04:04 PM	#6
44stevenson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	Re: problems installing thumb safety I've made sure the hammer was cocked all the way

01-13-2011, 04:27 PM	#7
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,624	Re: problems installing thumb safety like said before cock the hammer, insert the thumb safety with it in the half way position. Not full down, not full up. as your pushing it in rotate it up and down slightly to clear the sear . Now that you got it in, try with the plunger. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

01-13-2011, 04:48 PM	#9
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,320	Re: problems installing thumb safety trigger may need to be fit to the track, if the trigger is holding the sear/disconnector back, even if its just a few thousandths, the safety wont go in because its hitting the sear... If the trigger is fit good and sliding freely the length of the track and sitting flush at the rear where the sear spring 'rests' on it, then the safety should pop right in. Also might make sure the sear legs are behind the disconnector and not in front where they sit on the trigger bow, this will also cause problems fitting everything back together... The factory sear/disconnector and safety will fit back together properly if the trigger is fit properly... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!