Help...function check...problem?

[focus]

I have a Springfield WWII GI that when I do a function check with the slde locked back and release it the hammer will sometime's fall to 1/2 (1/4?) cock position.Is this a problem or normal for a Sringfield?????????Thank's...PS.I bought this used (made in 2003)and it has an after market long trigger....

[Tom]

Is this a problem or normal for a Sringfield?????????

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd classify this as a problem. NO properly functioning 1911 should allow the hammer to fall when releasing the slide - not to ANY position. I would have it checked out.

Does this happen only if the grip safety is engaged? Can you try releasing the slide without engaging the grip safety and see what happens?

[focus]

It happen's about 3 or 4 time's out of ten, whether or not the grip safety is engaged or not.

[wichaka]

That's not a good thing. Either bad hammer/sear engagement, or the sear spring is not set properly, or its weak.

I would advise not to use the gun until its fixed.

[Gammon]

The bad thing is that you are slamming the hell out of a defenseless pistol. Dropping the slide like that is no good for the gun. The hammer isn't supposed to drop under these circumstances, but this is not necessarily unsafe. Try dropping the slide with the gun empty (of course) and the trigger held to the rear. If the hammer still follows the slide down, you have a problem and need a gunsmith. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber is harmful to the pistol and should be done only when absolutely necessary.

[stans]

When I safety check one of my 1911's after replacing fire control parts or doing a little smoothing action, I will let the slide drop on an empty chamber, finger off the trigger, 5 times. If the hammer follows down once, there is a problem. Either insufficient spring tension on the sear, incorrect hammer and sear engagement angles or insufficient sear engagement with the hammer hooks. By testing in this method I have yet to have a double, tripple, or full auto fire with a 1911.

[sevenL4]

I second GAMMON's advice. Never drop the slide on an empty chamber unless you have the trigger and grip safety fully depressed. That is a proper, gunsmith accepted, function test and it is a test that you should do every time the pistol is detail stripped. There is no point in letting the slide slam home on an empty chamber. If the chamber is empty, the gun won't fire. As a matter of fact, depressing the trigger when chambering a live round will prevent hammer follow.

[focus]

Update:I took it back to the shop were I got it and he said it wasn't right and checked it out.Who ever installed the new trigger left out a small spring.He replaced the spring and I had him install the original trigger.Seem's to function OK now

[Tom]

Seem's to function OK now

Glad to hear it was something relatively simple. :)

[sevenL4]

Interesting....there are four springs in a 1911. Which one was left out?

[focus]

He didn't say say which one,but when I got home I checked an exploded view of a 1911 and couldn't figure out what spring it would be.He pointed to the grip safety/main spring housing area when he said what was wrong.Maybe something to do with the ILS system?..............

[sevenL4]

Were you wearing boots? Did he return the trigger he took out? Did you pay him anything?

[focus]

Yes,I was wearing boot's-No,I didn't want it back but he did ask and no,I didn't pay anything.All I know is I got the original trigger put in and the pistol function's properly.If feed me a line of BS ,so what.I got what I wanted at no charge to me...................