[Combat Commander]

I was out shooting my Springer and then it would not fire. Hammer is cocked but will not fire. I disassembled and checked for parts breakage, reassembled same problem after 15 rounds. Then I disassembled and reassembled again fired 100 rounds and no problems yet. Any ideas on what would cause this ?

[1911Tuner]

Howdy Commander,

If the hammer won't fall, the disconnect isn't resetting. If the hammer falls, check to see if the firing pin is touching the primer...(light indent)

If it's the disconnect, it could be that the middle leg of the sear spring needs more tension or replacement. Notta biggie...4-dollar part and a
3-minute job to replace it. It could also be that the disconnect or the timing slot in the slide is slightly out of spec, and the tip isn't gettin' into the slot far enough to get it under the sear. Shallow slot or long disconnect. DO NOT file or stone the top of the disconnect. if this is the case. The slot should be scraped a little deeper with a tool made for the job.

If the problem started suddenly, it could just be that the disconnector channel is gunked up, and delaying or preventing reset. Spray a few spritzes of WD40 in and around the top of the disconnect, assemble the gun and shoot it. If dirt is the problem, this oughta fix it for a while. Best
way is to detail-strip the gun and clean it thoroughly. If you don't know how, sing out...We can help!

Luck!

Tuner

[Old Fuff]

If there is a small screw in the trigger, turn it forward for one turn. Another possibility is that the disconector is not resetting. If the hammer refuses to fall again, pull it backward as far as it will go and then lower it to the full-cock position. See if it shoots thereafter. If this is the case it needs the attention of a good gunsmith experienced with 1911 style handguns, or to be returned to Springer for correction.

Last but not least, be sure the safety(?) in the mainspring housing isn't acting up.

[1911Tuner]

Howdy Fuff!

Betcha we can get this lad's pistole' perkin' again. :cool:

By the way...Welcome to The High Road, Commander. Good to have ya aboard.

[Old Fuff]

>> Betcha we can get this lad's pistole' perkin' again. <<

I would think so ... It isn't like we haven't seen this before. ... :uhoh: :D

[Combat Commander]

1911Tuner If the hammer won't fall, the disconnect isn't resetting. If the hammer falls, check to see if the firing pin is touching the primer...(light indent)

Hammer will not fall I had to disassemble.

1911Tuner If it's the disconnect, it could be that the middle leg of the sear spring needs more tension or replacement. Notta biggie...4-dollar part and a

Sear spring looks good.

1911Tuner It could also be that the disconnect or the timing slot in the slide is slightly out of spec, and the tip isn't gettin' into the slot far enough to get it under the sear. Shallow slot or long disconnect. DO NOT file or stone the top of the disconnect. if this is the case. The slot should be scraped a little deeper with a tool made for the job.

How can I check this ?


1911Tuner If the problem started suddenly, it could just be that the disconnector channel is gunked up, and delaying or preventing reset. Spray a few spritzes of WD40 in and around the top of the disconnect, assemble the gun and shoot it. If dirt is the problem, this oughta fix it for a while.

Problem started after 1,000 plus rounds, I stripped and cleaned everything reassembled and had some problem after 15 rounds.

Tuner thanks for your help.

[Combat Commander]

If there is a small screw in the trigger, turn it forward for one turn. Another possibility is that the disconector is not resetting. If the hammer refuses to fall again, pull it backward as far as it will go and then lower it to the full-cock position. See if it shoots thereafter. If this is the case it needs the attention of a good gunsmith experienced with 1911 style handguns, or to be returned to Springer for correction.

Old Fuff, I backed the screw out as soon as this happened I had that problem some years ago with a Colt with a adjustable trigger.

When this happened she was all locked up, I could not get the hammer to drop at all.

Thanks for you help.

[Old Fuff]

Combat Commander:

I had another member contact me some time ago with a similar problem. He also had a “Springer” as I remember. Anyway, the cause turned out to be (as Tuner suspected) that the disconector wasn’t always coming up high enough to engage the sear. When that happened you could pull the trigger, but the hammer wouldn’t fall. The solution was to use a special tool (available from www.brownells.com) to scrape and deepen the disconector slot in the slide. This wasn’t difficult, and the tool cost less then shipping the pistol back to the factory. This condition sometimes occurs when the factory “draws down” the slide for a tighter fit, but doesn’t relieve the disconector slot an equal amount. Another possible (but less likely) reason might be that the center leg of the disconector spring isn’t pushing on the disconector hard enough, or that a burr or roughness is causing the disconector to stick.

Given that you’ve checked out the other obvious possibilities I think this is the most likely one that still remains.

To check: Field strip the pistol and remove the slide assembly. This will allow the disconector to rise to the top of its full travel. Push on the disconector with the flat of a small screwdriver to make sure it is moving freely up and down. Then, while holding on to the hammer spur, pull the trigger and see if there is any hint of the hammer not wanting to fall. There shouldn’t be, but hold onto the hammer because you don’t want to let it fall while the slide is not in place. Dry firing without the slide could damage the frame, hammer or both.

By the way, where in Michigan are you?

[Dave Sample]

WD-40 is the greatest primer killer around. I would use some other kind of lubricant made for firearm use.

[Dave Sample]

If I read this right, the SA is working OK now. Is that right? Sounds to me like you has some dirt in the wrong place and if cleaning the gun solved it, then you will have to keep it clean. You can check all of the things that have been mentioned, of course.

[Combat Commander]

By the way, where in Michigan are you?

Howell

If I read this right, the SA is working OK now. Is that right? Sounds to me like you has some dirt in the wrong place and if cleaning the gun solved it, then you will have to keep it clean. You can check all of the things that have been mentioned, of course.

So far she is up and running, but for how long?

I disassembled and cleaned and checked , then reassembled 15 rounds same problem.

So I did the same again and she ran for 100 rounds no problems yet.

I would like to find the cause of the problem, dirt does not seem to be the cause.

I will put another 100 round down range in the morning.

[1911Tuner]

Yep...Disconnect not resetting. Check the trigger stirrup for roughness or a burr at the top and bottom edges. Check disconnect too. Take the grip safety out and reassemble the gun. Pull the trigger and hand-cycle the slide. Release the trigger slowly while you watch the disconnect to see if it resets and gets between the sear and trigger stirrup. It needs to come up further than just on the corner of the sear legs...it needs to get well up and behind them. Bend the center leg of the sear spring forward a little...
If htis doesn't help, either the slot needs to be a little deeper or the
disconnect has a burr or rough edge on the sides of the tip, and is binding in the hole.

Best guess...Slot needs to be deeper.

Luck!

Tuner

[Combat Commander]

Yep...Disconnect not resetting. Check the trigger stirrup for roughness or a burr at the top and bottom edges. Check disconnect too. Take the grip safety out and reassemble the gun. Pull the trigger and hand-cycle the slide. Release the trigger slowly while you watch the disconnect to see if it resets and gets between the sear and trigger stirrup. It needs to come up further than just on the corner of the sear legs...it needs to get well up and behind them. Bend the center leg of the sear spring forward a little...

Tuner, I will take a look at this in the morning before shooting it.

I have a question about the slot is it ok make it deeper to be on the safe side.

Also if the disconnect had a burr is it likely that it would go away after a few rounds.

I ran 100 rounds thur the gun, but I have cycled it by hand about 200 times and it has been fine.

I just want to be able to trust her again.

I'll let you know how it goes in morning.

Thanks for your time.

[1911Tuner]

Combat Commander asked:
I have a question about the slot is it ok make it deeper to be on the safe side.
_____________________

Yes, but don't get too aggressive with it or make the slot any longer toward the front. One check that you can do is to hold the trigger rearward and rack the slide...Release the trigger slowly with the gun to your ear. A sharp metallic "click" usually indicates that the top of the disconnect is hitting the top of the slot, and it's probably not quite getting high enough to reset correctly. A more muffled sound...like a "thunk"
means that it's not hitting. It helps to hear both sounds back to back.
Known as "Disconnector Click". It's better not to hear it. If this is the problem, and since your gun does fire most of the time, it won't need to be scraped very much...maybe 2-3 thousandths of an inch.

Again...Don't shorten the disconnector. That can prevent it from performing the disconnecting part of its function. If it doesn't get pushed below the bottoms of the sear legs, you get anything from hammer followdown to uncontrolled burst or full auto fire. Sounds cool, but when that happens, the gun can fire out of battery and break things...like your hands and eyes.

Luck!

Tuner

[Combat Commander]

Ok Tuner, here is what I've got so far disconnect channel appears to be fine.

I disassembled this morning and polished the disconnect and the hole in the frame.

She went 300 rounds no problems.

I think the Springer is back to singing again.

Does this look about right to you the disconnect it touching in the shaded areas ?

http://www.metrophotohost.com/gallery_0011/gallery_albums/album04/disconnect_channel.jpg