Mainspring housing install/hammer won't stay cocked procedure.

[jblackfish]

On a Series 70 1911: I've got the problem of after removing/re-installing the mainspring housing, the hammer won't stay cocked.

I understand that the sear spring is out of place but, when I attempt to disassemble further (remove the safety lock, etc.) by pressing the grip safety with the hammer all the way back, I'm unable to move the safety lock upwards for removal - it won't move at all! Any advice on how I continue from here?

Thanks in advance.

[niemi24s]

Hi JBlackfish: :wc: to the Forum!

Here's the 1911 disassembly instructions from our Tech Issues section: http://www.m1911.org/MAINT45B.PDF

Regards

[jblackfish]

Niem,

THanks for the reply but that doesn't help me - have a great set of instructions for the disassembly procedure - it's also from this site.

I've got the slide off and I'm down to the frame trying to get the safely lock off which in turn will allow me to get the grip safety off so that I can set the sear spring back as it ought to be so that the hammer will be able to engage and stay cocked. MY PROBLEM is as I stated in the OP that, when I pres the grip safety all the way down the safety lock doesn't lift and remove as it says it should in the procedure's instructions.

THAT's what I'm trying to solve - how to remove the safety lock so that I can in turn remove the grip safety and arrange the sear spring properly. Thx.

[niemi24s]

Try it with the hammer just cocked - not all the way back.

Don't know what the grip safety's got to do with it - unless you depressed it just to get the hammer as far past cocked as you could.

Regards

[niemi24s]

And when you get it all apart, take a peek at Post #4 in this thread before putting it back together: http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=73915

Regards

[Rick McC.]

I remove the MSH pin first and let the MSH slide "down" a bit (not remove) to take the tension off the spring; then removing the thumb safety's easy.

Take care,

Rick

[Joni Lynn]

When I take one apart I pull the hammer all the way back, raise the thumb safety and wiggle it a bit as you also pull out on it. The plunger and spring will want to take off for parts unknown. With the grip safety off you'll be able to see the spring legs on the sear spring. The one on the left side is out of place and probably under the sear instead of behind it. Once you get it in place, slide the mainspring housing part way into position to hold the spring in its proper position while you put everything else back together. As a final check, before putting the pin back in the mainspring housing be sure the hammer strut is in its position on the mainspring cap or you'll be taking things apart again.

Welcome to the forum.

[Hawkmoon]

I always remove the MSH first, and install it last. Things are much easier with no tension (compression, actually) on the mainspring.

The thumb safety comes out when it is somewhere between OFF and ON ... typically about 2/3 of the way up toward ON. As Joni Lynn wrote, you sort of jiggle it while pulling out. There's a magic spot ... when you hit it, the safety pops right out. (And then, also as Joni wrote, the plunger and spring typically fly out and are never seen again. Try having the back of the gun in a shopping bag the first few times, until you get the hang of holding one hand so as to intercept the flying plunger spring assembly as it exits the frame.)

[jblackfish]

Thanks a million for all the help, folks. I've failed to get the thumb safety out but not because I didn't have great advice and wonderful illustrations! It just won't budge - I guess I'm gonna have to take the frame half to my local 1911 expert - it's baffling me and I don't want to break it. Thanks again for the help. If I get the answer to why it wasn't working for me I'll post back with feedback.

UPDATE: BTW, this - http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm - is the best disassembly/assembly guide I've seen.

[John]

The reason you can't get the safety off, is because the sear spring is under the sear instead of over it. You should ... wiggle the sear spring loose and remove it first. Try to push the sear nose forward, from the opening on the frame, above the hammer, while at the same time you pull the sear spring back and out.

[jblackfish]

The reason you can't get the safety off, is because the sear spring is under the sear instead of over it. You should ... wiggle the sear spring loose and remove it first. Try to push the sear nose forward, from the opening on the frame, above the hammer, while at the same time you pull the sear spring back and out.
That was the "trick" - thank you John! After getting the spring out I was able to continue removing the thumb safety, then hammer, grip safety "by the book" and get it put back together correctly. Not ever having gotten myself is this mess before I'm not sure that I would be able to definitively describe my actions so, for the benefit of not confusing others with this problem, I'll for-go that.

Thanks to you all for helping me get through this problem and solve it! I REALLY appreciate all the help and pointers!

This is a great forum for us 1911 lovers.

[berkbw]

John - Do you come up with all of these great answers by meditation? - trial by doing things wrong? - m1911/forum archive?

Berk-

[John]

Neah, I have just been there, done that. And since going to my gunsmith means I had to go downtown Athens, I had to figure things out myself. When that happens, you remember what you did to solve the problem. At least most of the times, at my age.

Some other times, when I haven't face a particular problem, I just sit down and consider how the pistol works. Then the answer simply pops up.

in general, too many years caressing those puppies.