Is the hammer supposed to fall from halfcock?

[armedandfree]

I have recently taken my Springer mil-spec 1911-a1 apart and put it back together, not noticing before, but, when i put the hammer in the half cock position, press the grip safety and pull the trigger, the hammer falls....


is this supposed to happen?


it does not fall without the grip safety pressed.

[Hunter]

Yes I believe that is normal. If I am not mistaken Springfield uses a half cock shelf rather than hooks, similar to the Series 80 Colt.

[Ric4509]

Yes, that is standard in all SA 1911 pistols. At half cock the hammer will fall if the trigger and grip safety is pressed.

[armedandfree]

Is there a site, or a manual that can prove that? My father thinks I broke his halfcock.

[cajunfj40]

My Colt manual has it. Look on Colts manufacturing or Springfield Armory websites.

They have manuals for download, you will find what you are looking for there.

[armedandfree]

I tried the springfield armory website already for an owners manual, in perhaps .pdf format, but couldn't find anything of the sort.

[niemi24s]

Take the hammer out and show it to him!

[robot1911]

Take the hammer out and show him!! Right! If there's a ledge instead of a notch, you haven't broken it. On the other hand....

Bob

[armedandfree]

It is hard when he doesn't know the difference, and wouldn't believe me if I tried to tell him. So now, unfortunately, I am banned from his 1911. And now, do not have one to reference to from this website. I did, however, get to reblue it for him, and took pictures along the way, ill post it soon in the maintenance area.

[Hunter]

A call to Springfield would clear up the matter. I might would give him the number to Springfield customer service.

[1911Tuner]

Every Springfield OEM hammer that I've seen since the inception of the ILS system has had a flat shelf instead of a captive notch...like the Series 80 Colts. It's normal for the hammer to fall when you pull the trigger. It doesn't fall far enough to drive the firing pin into the primer.

[armedandfree]

I have explained what you all have said to my father, to his dissatisfaction. He believes me and admits his mistake. He was raised with a 1911 in the military that had half cock hooks. He is now in the market for a new 1911.

[Candiru]

I believe that recent SA hammers have a true half-cock notch; at least my newer Mil-Spec does.

[armedandfree]

Interesting. And what would be the point of a half cock shelf vs the ''notch'' or hooks? What would be the point of HALFCOCK itself?

[1911Tuner]

I have explained what you all have said to my father, to his dissatisfaction. He is now in the market for a new 1911.

No need to do that. All that he needs is hammer with a captive half-cock notch. Explain to him that the gun won't fire from the shelf, and that it's no more or less safe than with a captive notch, so even replacing the hammer isn't necessary.

[armedandfree]

Be it peace of mind, rather than fact, he does not seem to kin to the fact that the hammer falls. He also, has recently, gotten a better job, here in alaska and is, for the first time in his life, financially comfortable, and can afford more than a Springer Mil-Spec.

I told him the option of just buying a different trigger, and that the shelf is still safe, however, he now wants to buy a Colt Series 70.

[1911Tuner]

I told him the option of just buying a different trigger, and that the shelf is still safe, however, he now wants to buy a Colt Series 70.

Well...Unless he plans to carry the gun on half-cock with a chambered round...which is a big no-no...it's not an issue...and the shelf is actually safer to carry on half-cock than with a captive half-cock notch because the hammer doesn't have far enough to build enough momentum to fire a primer with the quarter-cock shelf.

If he gets one of the new "Series 70" reissues...he'll still have a hammer with a quarter-cock shelf...unless what I've heard is incorrect. I haven't had the opportunity to open one up to see...but as far as I know, Colt uses the Series 80 hammers in'em.

FWIW...If he wants a Colt, steer him toward buying a pre-Series 70. The 70s were pretty hit and miss on quality and function. You might get a really good one...and the next serial number might not be good for anything except a paperweight unless a good smith completely reworks it.

[armedandfree]

So... say my father would like to purchase one now.

Here is my fathers wants:

Adjustable night sights

extended thumb safety

extended/flared mag well

skeletonized trigger / overtravel stop screw

skeletonized hammer

extended mag release

The pistol he buys does not necessarily have to have all of these features at time of purchase, but have the ability to have them done to it.


Where would he go, what would he ask for, what would be the best route to take?

[Hawkmoon]

All of those things can be done to a Colt Series 70 replica. None of them come on it standard.

I think your father should talk to the folks at Wilson Combat and Nighthawk Custom.