[outdoorman63]

okay got a problem and i need the collective input...just got a c&r molina 45..decent condition...problem is if you rack the slide the hammer wont fall on first trigger pull...same if you hand cock it and put the safety on and off...but if you just hand cock it it falls fine....is it defective and needs to go back..or is it something to do with the trigger assembly..ie worn,or dirty, or has parkerizing on it...let me know your thoughts..has matching numbers so hate to send back if i can avoid it....

[Gunfyter]

I'g get Bill Wilson's manual on the 1911, tear that puppy down all the way and inspect all of the parts in the trigger/hammer group. It sound like a small burr on maybe the the sear or the hammer that's catching when the safety is engaged. If the gun is arsenal refurbished, perhaps the parkerizing? Most likely something very minor. My $.02

[Old Fuff]

I trust that you have a Ballester-Molina made in Argentina rather then a "Sisteme" Colt. If so, going to Colt drawings and instruction manuals won't help.

The Ballester-Molina's lockwork was patterned after the Spanish Star pistols. A drawbar between the trigger and the sear also acts as a disconector. When the slide is in battery the bar is supposed to rise, and a notch in the end should catch the sear. It apparently isn't doing this for some reason.

Field-strip the pistol and remove the grips. Cock and then lower the hammer and then release the trigger. Watch the trigger bar to see if it rises and catches the sear. With a little observation I think you'll find the cause of the problem. If not, come back and ask more questions.

[Jim K]

It sounds like your gun may have some old grease in it and cleaning may be quicker than taking it down.

So, before you do anything drastic, remove the grips, get a can of a good spray cleaner (I prefer G96 Gun Treatment) and spray the heck out of the inside, through the mag well, etc. Let it drain, then try it. (BTW, note if it works without the grips as sometimes a warped grip can interfere with the trigger bar or the disconnector).

The Molina is NOT a 1911. There are many differences, one of which is that the safety does NOT lock the sear; it cams the hammer back off the sear and locks the hammer.

Jim

[outdoorman63]

with your help i have diagnosed the problem it is the disconnector it isnt always functioning properly....now how to solve it..it only does it when the slide is racked or safety has been used..just cocking it doesnt make it happen..i have to pickup some cleaning supplies today the m38 i also got used most of what i had around the house...

[outdoorman63]

after doing everything you all suggested i finally found the problem...the disconnect was catching on the grip..there was an outline on the grip of it..so itook my dremel and sanded just a little off the grip in the area and now it functions flawlessly...now i have a molina 45 with all matching serial numbers..thanks to all...

[Old Fuff]

And too think, Jim and I only charge $500,000,000 for free advice.

Enjoy your new toy. Post a partial serial number (like this: 356xxx) and I'll see if any more information is available.

[outdoorman63]

12710 is the serial number

[Old Fuff]

The history of your pistol started around 1940 when Arturo Ballester and Eugenio Molina who owned an automotive engine and spare parts business called “Hispano Argentina Fabrica de Automoviles Sociedad Anonima (HAFDASA) were persuaded to make a military handgun for the Argentine armed forces. They had been buying Colts, and even had a factory in Argentina that had been built by Colt. But they could see that war was approaching in Europe and their relationship with the United States was suffering because they had chosen to support Germany.

Ballester and Molina agreed to go forward and designed a pistol based the Spanish Star design that could still use Colt barrels, barrel bushings, and magazines.

Supposedly during the early part of the war Ballester-Molina were unable to continue manufacture because of a shortage of certain steels. At this point the British, who were desperate, agreed to provide the necessary material plus extra if the Argentine company would make some pistols for them. A deal was struck, and they did indeed provide something between 8000 to 10,000 pistols to the U.K. (Those have a “B” in the serial number). It is believed that many, if not most, were used by the SOE, and/or airdropped to the French underground.

Production ended sometime during 1953.

Those who regard the Ballester-Molina to be a “cheap” or “inferior” copy of the Colt might be interested to know that their barrels were made from S.A.E. 3312 steel, that was superior to the material used in Colt barrels at the time. They would outlast Colt barrels by several thousand rounds.

You have a low serial number, indicating World War Two manufacturer.

[outdoorman63]

thank you for the info...the quality of the gun actually shows...i am very happy with it so far and plan on shooting it in the next seceral weeks...i need to pick up some mags for it...i have only 2 functionable ones and they both look like they have seen there better day...my thanks for the great info.i saved it to a word file...