Hammer follow with my new Gold Cup Trophy

[AJD]

Hello, I recently picked up a NIB Gold Cup Trophy. When I let the slide slam foward the hammer follows the slide every time. Also when the hammer is in full cock if I give it lateral movement it falls down.

I have never dissasembled a 1911 past the initial stages and have no idea about the inner workings of the gun. I would like to avoid sending it back to Colt if its an easy fix. However, I would need alot of hand holding to fix it myself.

What would you suggest doing?

[wetidlerjr]

Search for "hammer follow". Lots of past threads on this subject.

[Anopsis]

AJD,
If you're not familiar with the 1911's action then PLEASE have a gunsmith check it out. I am not taking a shot at your competence level (since I have no idea what it is) but the fact is you're talking about safety and reliability - and the hammer following or falling is big-time bad.
The fix can be easy, or complicated depending on the problem. My point is if you're not 100% comfortable with what you're doing then think twice about it. A gun that will drop its hammer of its own accord is a deadly accident waiting to happen. Good luck!

[harleydog]

AJD, Please do not try to shoot that gold cup. If it is NITB take it back to the dealer you got it from and see if he will take care of it. If that wont work send it back to colt or take it to a good smith and have it fixed.

[Hunter]

Sounds like there is not enough tension on the center leaf (and possibly left leaf) of the sear spring. Keep in mind the Gold Cups will have a lighter trigger pull and so the sear has a less surface area than a standard sear as well as a lighter mainspring. It could be there is not enough tension on the hammer hooks and sear spring causing sear bounce under shock. I would add tension to the left and center sear spring and see if that helps or you can try a new Colt sear spring. You may give the sear and hammer hooks a look as well.

[gottripletsNC]

If its new in the box, call Colt, let them make it right. If it was just a tweak or two, I might would try to fix it, but that is obviously a safety issue. Call Colt, or the place you bought it from.

[paul45]

FWIW...you didn't say if you let the slide "slam" down on with a loaded mag or not......so I will tell you to never drop the slide on an empty chamber........

[wichaka]

Since we already know the hammer follows, do a quick test to determine the problem;

This goes without saying.......be sure the gun is unloaded......

Lock the slide back & pull the trigger. Now using the slide stop, drop the slide.
If the hammer still follows, increase pressure on left sear spring pressure. If it still continues to follow, check sear/hammer engagement.

If hammer does not follow while the trigger is pulled, increase pressure on the middle finger of the sear spring.

All 'smiths will drop the slide on an empty chamber to test the trigger job, no need to do more than 2-3 times though.

[pa_guns]

Hi

This is not a good thing.

The easy thing to check is simply the way the sear spring is mated with the sear. All that is involved is a detail strip to the point that you can get a look at the sear spring. There are a number of good internet based detail strip instructions, including the one on this forum.

I agree with those who say that the spring tension may be off, but that involves a bit more fiddling.

Best bet is to take it back. Maybe they will simply swap it out for another one. That's what a lot of the big box dealers do these days.

Bob

[AJD]

Just thought I'd update everyone on what happen.

I called Colt and let them know that them know about the problems I was having. They said to send the pistol back in to them using overnight shipping.

In addition to fixing the hammer follow I asked them to install a standard grip safety and white sided spur hammer(Like you find on the Series 70). I was expecting an addition cost for this. I just prefer the look and ease of cocking that the spur hammer and standard grip safety offer.

I recieved a letter within a week of sending the pistol in stating that they were fixing the hammer follow, installing the new grip safety and the new hammer and shipping me my handgun back all free of charge!

It came back to me yesterday and it looks great! Don't have any way of posting photos..sorry!

So a definite thumbs up for Colt's customer service. Also, I love my Series 70 that I bought with the Gold Cup. Enjoy your Colt's and if you don't have one....WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

[John]

Great service. I am sure you will enjoy the gun.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Good to hear you got it back and it works. The upgrades are just icing on the cake.

Bob