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.

Hi JBlackfish: to the Forum!

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

Regards

__________________
When you can measure what you are talking about and express it in numbers, you know something about it. When you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind. [Lord Kelvin]

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.

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

__________________
When you can measure what you are talking about and express it in numbers, you know something about it. When you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind. [Lord Kelvin]

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

__________________
When you can measure what you are talking about and express it in numbers, you know something about it. When you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind. [Lord Kelvin]

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

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.

__________________
Lynnie, "Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal. "
- Albert Camus

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.)

__________________
Hawkmoon
On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

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.

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.

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org