Question on the 1911 Function Test.

[etimmerAZ]

I was cleaning my new 1911 Mil Spec and after putting it back together I did the function test as recommended by others. All the tests worked as expected except for the half-cock test.

The half-cock test is when you pull the trigger back to half-cock and then pull the trigger. The web page (http://usgi1911.tripod.com/function/ ) I used to do these tests states that the hammer should not fall (Except for the Series 80.). On mine the hammer does fall. Do I have a problem or do I not understand the process of function checking? What is all this about the comercial series 80?

Thanks,

Erik

[wichaka]

Don't quote me here, but I believe that the 1/2 cock notch on the hammer is of the Series 80 shelf type, not captive as the Series 70 and older are. I have a Mil-Spec, but can't remember what it has. I will check it when I get home.

[stans]

It is likely that the hammer has the shelf type half cock hook, so being able to pull the trigger and drop the hammer from half cock would be normal.

[John]

And I would change that sear/hammer combo, as soon as I can to have a captive half-cock notch. I can't understand why some manufacturers keep producing these sears!

Rgds

[wichaka]

Just checked my Mil-Spec and it has the shelf style half cock notch.
If yours is like every SA I've worked on so far, it has a very good light trigger pull........around 3.5lbs? That's because the sear and hammer hooks don't match very well, and the sear only makes contact with one hook, not both.

Nothing to worry about, the sear does engage the one hook very solid. I guess I'm wishing they'd put more time into their quality........

[1911Tuner]

Howdy etimmer,

The elimination of the captive half-cock started with Colt Series 80 pistols, and is actually more of a quarter-cock position. It's normal for the hammer to fall from that position when you pull the trigger. The distance isn't enough to bust a cap, unless your firing pin spring is seriously wimpy.

The "shelf" works exactly the same as the captive notch, and it was done for a couple of reasons. One is...obviously...that it eliminates a machining step
on the hammer, and saves money. The other is that it's not as brutal on the sear in the event of a hammer followdown. I suspect that, with the widespread use of MIM sears...which are very hard...that it offers less chance of causing the sear to break if the hammer follows. Recent Springfield hammers have the quarter-cock shelf design, and I expect that others will follow suit.

The step also has nothing to do with the Series 80 system being more "safe" to carry in Condition One. Neither system has an advantage in that carry mode, and both are equally safe to carry cocked and locked.

Hope this helps...

Tuner