New Colt owner

[solz56]

Got to take the new Colt series 80 Gov't to the range at lunch for a quickie 100 rounds.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/sao5633/DSCN0122.jpg

The good news, it shot great. :D I just shot it at 7 and 10 yards today.

One hiccup was it spat one brass right back into my eye protection. I'll have to look at the ejector.

The other issue is the hammerbite.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/sao5633/hammerbite.jpg

I know I can solve the hammerbite by putting a beavertail and different hammer on, but I don't want a bevertail on this gun and I want to retain a classic, close to stock look. My Springfield Loaded Trophy Match has all the fancy looking add ons and I don't want those for my Colt.

So I think when I feel like parting with the Colt for a couple months to have work done, I will just have the hammer bobbed. Then probably a little stippling on the front strap, new MSH (maybe arched?), and a couple upgraded internals as long as its in for work.

Has anyone who is susceptible to hammerbite had a hammer bobbed (like I see on the pics of the Yost-Bonitz Customs)?

In the meantime I guess I'll wear a band-aid on the web of my hand when I shoot her? :confused:

[Rio Vista Slim]

solz56,
Thanks for the photo of your new Series 80 Government Model. I have never suffered with the "hammer-bite" problem, so I cannot offer any constructive advice. As to the hammer bobbing, I am afraid that I can't answer your question. I do know folks who have put Commander-style hammers on Governement models, but I don't recall whether that also includes replacing the grip safety.

At any rate, enjoy your Colt, and keep us updated about your decisions.

[paul45]

I don't have large hands, so I don't have a problem with that. Is it a problem to slightly adjust your grip? If not, I have to agree to bob the hammer. I'm glad your piece is working for you.

[Joni Lynn]

I don't suffer from hammer bite either but if I did and that was my gun I'd have someone take a little bit of material off the back of the hammer and break any edges down while doing so.

[cwgilley]

Congratulations on your new toy. Enjoy it. Over the years I've done three Gov't models with hammer changes. Two done with the original Commander style hammers and both got Beaver Tail just as part of the process. Don't know if they were necessary or not. But, the latest one is done with the current "combat" style and it definitely requires a new BT grip safety recessed to accept it.

All that being said, to keep it as close to stock appearance as you can, you are probably going to like the hammer "bobed" a little.

[ArmyPilot]

Nice Colt! Im sure you're going to enjoy it. Even with a bobbed spur-type hammer, if you have bigger hands, after 100 or so rounds you'll still get a little rub mark (almost a blister) just from recoil. If you dont want to alter the gun (i.e. Beavertail grip safety) just spend a few bucks for a good pair of thin shooters gloves. I have large hands and I found that just the flat mainspring housing alone works wonders. Happy shooting!

Brad

[solz56]

Thanks for the replies. :)I don't have large hands, so I don't have a problem with that. Is it a problem to slightly adjust your grip? My hands are medium. I think I'm just used to taking a high grip on my other pistols because I have better control up high, and I'm used to having my grip thumb ride the thumb safety. I'll try a lower grip after the 'bite' heals and see if that is a remedy. :)

[wichaka]

Might try a commander style hammer with a drop-in type beavertail grip safety. That way you don't have to grind on the frame, and you can change it anytime you want to get the orginal configuration back.

[daveohno]

Post the decision that you make regarding the hammer bite, my WW1 repro and my Son of Pimp Gun eat up the web of my shooting hand with hammer bite and I haven't decided what to do about it yet but I have to eventually. The answers from people here on the forum are always helpful in helping making a decision on how to do something with your pistol.

[cliff731]

ArmyPilot hit on exactly the solution I was thinking of.

A pair of shooters gloves... at least a pair of quality leather gloves that don't prohibit tactile feel. Are any made with open finger tips offering some degree of reinforcement in that critical web area? Surely some glove makers have thought of "1911" gloves already!

[lindermant]

congrats on the new pistol! I'm like you in that I like the traditional grip safety/hammer combo. I have large hands and I suffer from the bite too...

One option you might consider is swapping out the gov't hammer for a commander ring hammer and have the gov't grip safety relieved for the ring hammer, as shown on my commander:

traditional looks & no bite :D
http://mysite.verizon.net/tlinderman/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/pdp_lft_1.jpg

another - not mine:
http://www.berryhillguns.com/bfp14.jpg
*pic courtesy of Dave Berryhill

This is a rather cheap modification, and you can always swap the factory pieces back in (and no modified frame tangs to worry about).

The cheapest hammer bite cure is a strategically place bandaid - it's what I use when shooting my NRM commander (until I make the above modifications) :D

[jeff1124]

A fair amount of "bikers" wear fingerless leather gloves, I've seen them at Motorcycle swap meets and such. A Leather shop that caters to Motorcyclists might have them.

[clintsfolly]

get a batters glove clint

[larry starling]

Great news on your range report. I have large hands and the only gun that has bitten me was my Colt 1927 Sistema.... :o

[wichaka]

Here's a standard grip safety I did awhile back, to allow for a ring hammer to be installed. Very easy to do. This one wasn't finished when I took the pic, but it'll give you an idea as well..........


http://w3.gorge.net/scshields/gripsafety.jpg

[JustinTime]

I like your new government, Congrats. Ouch on the hammer bite. If it were me I'd buy another factory hammer and bob it. Install the new bobbed factory hammer in the gun for shooting and save the original in a box for safe keeping.

[JustinTime]

Lindermant: that is a good looking commander you have there.

[lindermant]

Lindermant: that is a good looking commander you have there.

thank you! :D

[Mick_In_Texas]

I have three Colts. They sure seem to be good guns. I'm hoping to shoot my 1991 this weekend. My .38 Super Govt Model, has been 100%, including accuracy; my 1911 USGI 1918 has been the same; I hope my 1991 is as good.

I love my others. But I love my Colts's. I love the platform. The Colt, was the originial.

Mick

[TattooPaul]

Lindermant - not only is that Commander a real beauty but that pic is real nice too. Beautifully clean historical lines on a sweet handling platform. I even like the arched MSH on it.
solz56 - My WW1 can bite a little but I have developed a natural, easy grip that keeps my large hand out of the way. It may leave a slight mark but I rarely get a full blown bite now. I developed that out of necessity as I won't change anything about the Repro.

[solz56]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll probably end up doing something about the hammer if changing my grip doesn't help things.

I had a funny random thought when reading the posts suggesting gloves. I had a flash picturing myself putting ivory stocks on the pistol and wearing one of those rhinestone studded white gloves Michael Jackson used to wear in the 80s. :lm:

[lindermant]

http://elliottback.com/wp/wp-content/_mj-white-glove.jpg

the glove can only lead to a shooting jacket:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/mitshu/beatitpoly4.jpg


friends don't let friends wear the glove :D

[solz56]

Is that you? lol

[lindermant]

lol, no that is not me.... just did a quick google search :D

[JustinTime]

lol, no that is not me.... just did a quick google search :D

You should use if for your advatar at any rate. :lm:

[carsoni]

Get some cheap half finger motorcycle gloves. They work great.

[Mick_In_Texas]

http://elliottback.com/wp/wp-content/_mj-white-glove.jpg

the glove can only lead to a shooting jacket:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/mitshu/beatitpoly4.jpg


friends don't let friends wear the glove :D

lindermant... I can just VISUALIZE this dude with a white, jeweled glove around a 1911A1... LoLoLoL... on the range... but, by golly, who is going to try to argue with a .45??? To each our own, I reckon...

Lately, I'm having real probs with my right wrist, and I'm right-handed. I wanted to go shoot tomorrow, as I have the day off; but, reckon I may be calling my doc instead. I sure want to see what my Colt's 1991 does on the firing line, but, may not be able to, as my wrist is really hurting today. Hee hee, I DO think this would make a great avatar for you, I love it.

Mick