Thumb Safety Issue

[Darkness]

I said I would never get another 1911, but here I am.

I just picked up a used AO Pit Bull. Things look good, but I am having an issue with the thumb safety. If the safety is engaged and I pull the trigger with the grip safety pressed, I hear a very faint 'click'. Nothing happens until I click the thumb safety off. Then, the hammer falls to the half-cocked safety position. This is with my finger off the trigger and the grip safety reset.

If I again cock the hammer and squeeze the trigger, I still get the click, and if I pull the hammer back slightly, I hear another click and I can click the safety off without the hammer dropping.

I searched for similar problems, but didn't find quite this information, so I thought I would ask the experts outright. Thanks, I appreciate any and all input.

[Kruzr]

The safety is misfit to the gun. It is not stopping the movement of the sear. When you pull the trigger with the safety on, the sear is being moved out of the hammer hooks. When you click the safety off, the hammer continues it's drop to the half cock notch.

You need a new safety that has been properly fitted to the sear.

[Darkness]

Thanks, Kruzr.

I'll have to go get that done.

[wichaka]

Yep Kruzr nailed that one............too much clearance from the thumb safety to the sear lug.

If there's more than .005" movement of the sear when the safety is on, get it replaced.

[Darkness]

Let's say that, hypothetically, I pretended to be a gunsmith and I put a different thumb safety into the frame. One that was used, mind you, but had nothing like the butcher job the old safety had.

Now, let's imagine that I can now flip the thumb safety on, and when I press the grip safety and pull the trigger, the thumb safety actually flips off all by itself and the hammer drops. :(

I replaced the sear spring, and with the original thumb safety, it does the original problem one out of every three tries. The trigger has a much heavier pull, too.

Should I start with a brand-spanking new thumb safety, or should I yank out the sear and check it out?

Any thoughts are mighty appreciated.

[TheGerk]

Kruzr got your problem dialed in. Field strip the gun then remove the MSH and the grip safety. Then you can see how the safety intersects with the sear and the hammer. Is the pistol a high mileage gun? Worn or undersized hammer and sear pins could exacerbate the condition.
If you replace the hammer and sear, go ahead and change out the disconnector
I like the one’s from Ed Brown, there made right and will last you a lifetime.
Good Luck :)

[Darkness]

Ah, ok. I am still a newbie at this. I was assembling the grip safety as well to test function, so I couldn't see the thumb safety interact. In fact, I didn't know you could see it. That will change things a little. As far as it being a high mileage gun, I am unsure. I got it from someone who had it sitting in his safe for almost 10 years, who had gotten it from someone else as a partial trade. One of those price is right, gotta have it kind of buy. The thing is as dry as a dinosaur bone.

I was just wondering if the new problem, the one where the safety flips itself off when I dry fire, was indicating a problem in addition to the misfit safety. I guess I'll be able to actually see it next time around.

Thanks for the info. I already have a Chip McCormick grip safety and Wilson Combat sear and recoil/firing pin springs to put into it. Might as well check on pricing for sear/hammer/disconnect while I am at it.

[brickeyee]

"Now, let's imagine that I can now flip the thumb safety on, and when I press the grip safety and pull the trigger, the thumb safety actually flips off all by itself and the hammer drops."

Now it sounds like the detent in the safety is to shallow or the plunger on the back side of the plunger tube is sticking.
The safety is held in the on position by the plunger pushing back above the pivot point.
Cleaning the plunger tube (pipe cleaner), check the spring, and watch for burs on the plunger.
Next thing to check is the depth and locationof the detent for the plunger in the thumb safety.

[Darkness]

Ok, so last night I really got down to it. I noticed that the safety works just like it should with the slide off and everything else in place, but not with the slide on. With slide, the thumb safety was not reaching the sear like it should. So, having an extra thumb safety on hand, I took my trusty "rotory power tool" and shaved just a little bit off of the top ridge of the thumb safety. Reassembled, and everything works just like it should. I am thinking about getting a new plunger spring, however. This one seems a little weak.

While I was at it, I took the spurs off of the back of the frame and installed the beavertail grip safety. I must say, not too bad for my first attempt at gunsmithing. Maybe some pics when I get home tonight.

Thanks for all the help, guys. This place is an invaluable source of information!

[John]

Another happy customer!

[Darkness]

Ok, just to show you guys what I am working with, here are the before and after pics. I need to do a refinish on it, and the pic does not do the bloodwood grips much justice, but you'll get the idea.

Before:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k33/darkacroyer/pix1612996421.jpg


And After:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k33/darkacroyer/DSCN1506.jpg

This is going to be my carry piece, so I am going to go for a durable finish without spending mega-bucks on it, hopefully. Some of the aerosol Brownell's stuff looks mighty tempting.