hammer question

[alman58]

:geek: Building my first 1911, and i have a question about hammers. Are the hammers all interchangeable, such as will a government model hammer fit a commander, or vice versa? Appreciate any input

[Ric4509]

Yes, a gov't mdl hammer (spur) will fit a commander or vice versa. However, if you install a gov't mdl hammer in a commander mdl 1911 you should be aware that a spur hammer will not work on an 80S commander grip safety. It will work on a 70S commander grip safety but will bite the web of your shooting hand. A commander hammer in a gov't mdl (full size) will work if the grip safety is a beavertail or a grip safety with a notch on top to accomodate a commdr hammer.

[alman58]

thnx for your input ric, it is very helpful. I'm building a fullsize with a 70 series govt. slide. Just purchased a tactical hammer, sear and disconnect, guy wasn't clear on what model exactly it was made for, but said it should fit either.

[Hajah Momenem]

thnx for your input ric, it is very helpful. I'm building a fullsize with a 70 series govt. slide. Just purchased a tactical hammer, sear and disconnect, guy wasn't clear on what model exactly it was made for, but said it should fit either.
Will changing hammers necessitate having to do sear,disconnector or trigger modifications(say one tries to put a McCormick-style or old 1918-style hammer in a S70 full-size)? I think I understand about hammer/grip safety clearances.


Please bear in mind I am newbie status/ignorant.

I have read just enough about hammer-hooks or sear engagement angles and trigger jobs to be scary-confused;and I may well have misinterpreted what good info. I have been exposed to!

No worries,Mate,I won't be doing any pistolsmithing myself. Just trying to get some ideas on what options might be workable.....

I like the looks and feel of the old-school hammers(1918) with checkered/wide hammer-top. Might these work on newer guns/if so would it entail LOTS of other modifications?

THANKS!
Mike

[Hajah Momenem]

Will changing hammers necessitate having to do sear,disconnector or trigger modifications(say one tries to put a McCormick-style or old 1918-style hammer in a S70 full-size)? I think I understand about hammer/grip safety clearances.


Please bear in mind I am newbie status/ignorant.

I have read just enough about hammer-hooks or sear engagement angles and trigger jobs to be scary-confused;and I may well have misinterpreted what good info. I have been exposed to!

No worries,Mate,I won't be doing any pistolsmithing myself. Just trying to get some ideas on what options might be workable.....

I like the looks and feel of the old-school hammers(1918) with checkered/wide hammer-top. Might these work on newer guns/if so would it entail LOTS of other modifications?

THANKS!
Mike
PS:Hope I have not "hijacked" this thread(I've already been instructed not to :)

I don't aim to be a hijacker;but sometimes type before taking proper consideration of topic content. I will strive to stick to the thread or open a new one(I wrote it on the blackboard a hunnert times :)
Regards,
Mike

[Ric4509]

Valid point, Hajah! Based on my experience tinkering with my 1911s there are times when an existing sear, disconnector will work well with the newly installed hammer to the point where I don't need to change the thumb safety. There are times when the trigger pull sucks and there are times when they're decent. Recently I started using the Wilson Ultralight hammer mated with an A-2 sear. I just installed a set a few days ago and the trigger pull met my standards. No creep at all.

[Hajah Momenem]

Guess I'll go back to lurking-mode and study M1911 basics("keep yer booger-hook off the bang-switch...") etc.

Sheesh,in my newbie-ignorance I had not heard of nor considered that/how changing-out the hammer might incur the need to also modify/swap the thumb-safety :confused:

Would some kind soul direct me to the web-pages/books/dvd whereby I might become enlightened on the subtleties of trigger/disconnector/sear/hammer/thumb-safety interrelationship?

I ask in hopes of,one-day being able to diagnose some functional problems and help me to be able to maintain a pistol that I can trust (with my life) to function as close to 100% as possible. My local gunsmith will still have more work than he can possibly do while I'm waiting my turn to benefit from his services.

Like my gun-guru, 1911tuner, total reliability is my mantra and ultimate goal,accuracy being somewhere down the totem pole.

COLLIE'S RULE!!

[Hawkmoon]

Start with Kuhnhausen's two books. Jump over to the "other" side of M1911.ORG and check the Literature section for suggestions.

[John]

And while you are there, check the various Technical Issues articles (which of course are duplicated here as well). The relation between sear/hammer will become obvious, as well as the way the thumb safety is affected if you change one of the above.

[Gammon]

When making alterations like this it is a good idea to change more than just the hammer. I always replace the hammer and sear as a set. Adding a beavertail grip safety will allow you to use any hammer you want and make the gun much more comfortable to shoot. The stock safety may work with the new H&S, or it may need adjustment/replacement. These are serious issues that must be dealt with by a gunsmith OR someone with the proper reference materials; I recommend Kuhnhausen's books.