1911 Repair question! - The Firearms Forum

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 10:54 AM

My SA 1911 that I have been learning to work on, I have replaced just about everything you can think of. It was shooting great very accruate, Then I was cleaning it and relized I had not changed the thumb safty. The one that was in it showed a lot of ware. I ordered a Wilson combat thumb safty I could not get it to work properly. So I ordered a Colt safty and put it in and it works ok. The problem is now the hammer will follow the slide to a half cock position insted of full cock. Bare in mind that I bought this gun to learn how they work and to practice working on. So far so good but this hammer follow has me buffaloed. All help and sugestions will be appriciated.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:10 AM

The thumb safeties have to be fitted to the back of the sear. When fully engaged you want it to just touch the sear evenly across the contact point.

This hammer follow issue.. Does it happen when you drop the slide on an empty chamber or does it happen when you pull the trigger with the safety on??

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 11:22 AM

It happens when I drop the slide on an empty chamber. If you manually cock it the hammer will stay cocked.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 11:38 AM

That could be a couple things. usually too light a trigger pull. Both of my 1911s do that because they both have 2 pound triggers, but they dont do it on a full mag because the round slows the slide down enough. Could be an excessively heavy recoil spring, and also could be a negative sear/hammer engagement angle due to excessive wear or shoddy trigger work..

IF it has had a trigger job, I would bet one angle or another got polished a tad too much..

Double D · 07-14-2011, 12:24 PM

Are you talking about letting the slide slam forward on an empty chamber? Does it do that if you ease the slide forward?

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 12:36 PM

It does it when I ease the slide forward. I have not let it slam on an empty chamber.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 12:38 PM

Ah, that sounds like a disconnector issue. pull it back apart and make sure the sear isnt behind the disconnector where they rest on the trigger bow.

Double D · 07-14-2011, 02:10 PM

Yea, probably not a light trigger issue.

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 02:25 PM

I have pulled it apart again the disconnecter and the sear are in the right places. This all started after I installed a new thumb safety.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 02:50 PM

Pull the thumb safety back off and see if it still does it. A new thumb safety should have to be fit to the individual gun. I have never had one drop right in and work right. Most of the time they wont quite go into the frame until the engagement has been relieved just slightly, then its a matter of a little filework at a time checking fit and engagement along the way with the grip safety removed so you can see your work, and manupulate parts with a pick should the safety get pinched in place.

The Duke · 07-14-2011, 05:08 PM

Brownells has a video on how to install a safety on a 1911..Its free...Plus some other very helpful tips and videos.. Think its www.brownells.com Noodle around their web and you find the videos.

Skipper · 07-14-2011, 05:19 PM

Check the sear spring and make sure you didn't break any of the legs or install it improperly:

http://m1911.org/images/parts.jpg

Shooter45 · 07-14-2011, 05:57 PM

I'd check the condition of the sear spring then fit the new thumb safety correctly.

JLA · 07-14-2011, 06:19 PM

OH! If you end up having to spring for a new sear spring (ha ha.. Get it.) I highly recommend A clark sear spring. They have 4 fingers instead of 3 so you can tune trigger return pressure and disconnector pressure individually.. They are sweet springs..

lonewolf204 · 07-14-2011, 09:19 PM

Thanks for all the info!

Helix_FR · 07-15-2011, 12:31 AM

The disconnector and sear may be in the right positions but is the sear spring pushing the disconnector back up behind the sear like its supposed to? If the sear nose is too long or the trigger bar has misadjusted take up ears then there may not be enough room for it to return between the trigger bow and the sear but now its sitting below it. The only way to see what it is truly doing is remove the grip safety then assemble the gun without it to watch the functions. Taking the gun apart to see if its sitting correctly can be misleading. Ive also seen instances were the sear spring is actually too short and it can get under the sear instead of behind it.

JLA · 07-15-2011, 07:22 PM

I have also seen too short sear springs causing problems. usually a weekend gunsmith trying to clip here and there to make the trigger lighter..

lonewolf204 · 07-15-2011, 10:02 PM

What I have figured out is the hammer likes .007 being pushed back far enough to cock. So I shortened the hammer stroke .008 and all seems to be well. It passed all the test, But I have not shot it yet. I still do not understand how this happened. I have checked and rechecked the safety fitting it looks good and function properly. I did replace all the pins when I put the new safty in.

JLA · 07-15-2011, 11:13 PM

Glad you got it goin..

07-14-2011, 10:54 AM	#1
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	1911 Repair question! My SA 1911 that I have been learning to work on, I have replaced just about everything you can think of. It was shooting great very accruate, Then I was cleaning it and relized I had not changed the thumb safty. The one that was in it showed a lot of ware. I ordered a Wilson combat thumb safty I could not get it to work properly. So I ordered a Colt safty and put it in and it works ok. The problem is now the hammer will follow the slide to a half cock position insted of full cock. Bare in mind that I bought this gun to learn how they work and to practice working on. So far so good but this hammer follow has me buffaloed. All help and sugestions will be appriciated. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak! -->

07-14-2011, 11:10 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! The thumb safeties have to be fitted to the back of the sear. When fully engaged you want it to just touch the sear evenly across the contact point. This hammer follow issue.. Does it happen when you drop the slide on an empty chamber or does it happen when you pull the trigger with the safety on?? __________________ 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!

07-14-2011, 11:22 AM	#3
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: 1911 Repair question! It happens when I drop the slide on an empty chamber. If you manually cock it the hammer will stay cocked. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak! Last edited by lonewolf204; 07-14-2011 at 12:02 PM..

07-14-2011, 11:38 AM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! That could be a couple things. usually too light a trigger pull. Both of my 1911s do that because they both have 2 pound triggers, but they dont do it on a full mag because the round slows the slide down enough. Could be an excessively heavy recoil spring, and also could be a negative sear/hammer engagement angle due to excessive wear or shoddy trigger work.. IF it has had a trigger job, I would bet one angle or another got polished a tad too much.. __________________ 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!

07-14-2011, 12:24 PM	#5
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,085	Re: 1911 Repair question! Are you talking about letting the slide slam forward on an empty chamber? Does it do that if you ease the slide forward? __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

07-14-2011, 12:36 PM	#6
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: 1911 Repair question! It does it when I ease the slide forward. I have not let it slam on an empty chamber. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

07-14-2011, 12:38 PM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! Ah, that sounds like a disconnector issue. pull it back apart and make sure the sear isnt behind the disconnector where they rest on the trigger bow. __________________ 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!

07-14-2011, 02:10 PM	#8
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,085	Re: 1911 Repair question! Yea, probably not a light trigger issue. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

07-14-2011, 02:25 PM	#9
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: 1911 Repair question! I have pulled it apart again the disconnecter and the sear are in the right places. This all started after I installed a new thumb safety. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

07-14-2011, 02:50 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! Pull the thumb safety back off and see if it still does it. A new thumb safety should have to be fit to the individual gun. I have never had one drop right in and work right. Most of the time they wont quite go into the frame until the engagement has been relieved just slightly, then its a matter of a little filework at a time checking fit and engagement along the way with the grip safety removed so you can see your work, and manupulate parts with a pick should the safety get pinched in place. __________________ 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!

07-14-2011, 05:08 PM	#11
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: 1911 Repair question! Brownells has a video on how to install a safety on a 1911..Its free...Plus some other very helpful tips and videos.. Think its www.brownells.com Noodle around their web and you find the videos.

07-14-2011, 05:19 PM	#12
Skipper V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: People's Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 337	Re: 1911 Repair question! Check the sear spring and make sure you didn't break any of the legs or install it improperly: http://m1911.org/images/parts.jpg

07-14-2011, 05:57 PM	#13
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,753	Re: 1911 Repair question! I'd check the condition of the sear spring then fit the new thumb safety correctly.

07-14-2011, 06:19 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! OH! If you end up having to spring for a new sear spring (ha ha.. Get it.) I highly recommend A clark sear spring. They have 4 fingers instead of 3 so you can tune trigger return pressure and disconnector pressure individually.. They are sweet springs.. __________________ 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! Last edited by JLA; 07-14-2011 at 06:23 PM..

07-14-2011, 09:19 PM	#15
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: 1911 Repair question! Thanks for all the info! __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

07-15-2011, 12:31 AM	#16
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,625	Re: 1911 Repair question! The disconnector and sear may be in the right positions but is the sear spring pushing the disconnector back up behind the sear like its supposed to? If the sear nose is too long or the trigger bar has misadjusted take up ears then there may not be enough room for it to return between the trigger bow and the sear but now its sitting below it. The only way to see what it is truly doing is remove the grip safety then assemble the gun without it to watch the functions. Taking the gun apart to see if its sitting correctly can be misleading. Ive also seen instances were the sear spring is actually too short and it can get under the sear instead of behind it. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

07-15-2011, 07:22 PM	#17
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! I have also seen too short sear springs causing problems. usually a weekend gunsmith trying to clip here and there to make the trigger lighter.. __________________ 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!

07-15-2011, 10:02 PM	#18
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 792	Re: 1911 Repair question! What I have figured out is the hammer likes .007 being pushed back far enough to cock. So I shortened the hammer stroke .008 and all seems to be well. It passed all the test, But I have not shot it yet. I still do not understand how this happened. I have checked and rechecked the safety fitting it looks good and function properly. I did replace all the pins when I put the new safty in. __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

07-15-2011, 11:13 PM	#19
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: 1911 Repair question! Glad you got it goin.. __________________ 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!