Can the 1911 experts PLEASE explain this?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Skylerbone said:
The reason I bring up the thumb safety, 3rd time now: the chain of events started there as evidenced by it being in the fire position. A loose plunger tube (or damaged/worn detent/detent spring) can allow it to slip down.
Click to expand...
The thumb safeties seem to be kind of all over the place sometimes. Ive had them both almost floppy loose on one extreme, and almost needing two hands to get them off on the other. More often than not, it was because the detent on the safety was either too deep, or not deep enough. Pretty easily solved either way, with either a rattail jewelers file to relieve the track the plunger follows a bit, or a Dremel with a ball on it to make the detent a tad deeper.

Not sure how common it is, but over the years, Ive owned around 40 1911's, and only ever had one with a loose plunger tube. And even then, it was just a little loose, and didnt affect the safety or slide stop.
 
danez71 said:
Could you explain that more?

Are you saying that the pistol could ride up in the holster enough for the edge of the leather to get squeezed into the trigger guard and the the pistol coming back down causing the leather edge to trigger engagement?
Click to expand...
That is what I guess happened.
I did roll to my right side several times and was in a very tight spot. The holster in question is not soft or floppy but if leaned on while the gun was slightly lifted could engage the trigger. This would explain the strike to the primer, with this series 80, if my skin or lowest rib, was pressing the GS as I was contorting my body around.
I'm sure my coat slowed the hammer enough to save my leg.
 
ontarget said:
That is what I guess happened.
I did roll to my right side several times and was in a very tight spot. The holster in question is not soft or floppy but if leaned on while the gun was slightly lifted could engage the trigger. This would explain the strike to the primer, with this series 80, if my skin or lowest rib, was pressing the GS as I was contorting my body around.
I'm sure my coat slowed the hammer enough to save my leg.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the reply.

Thank you for sharing and really trying to figure out what happened rather than only considering the gun being the issue.

I need to scrutinize my holsters.
 
trackskippy said:
Not sure how common it is, but over the years, Ive owned around 40 1911's, and only ever had one with a loose plunger tube. And even then, it was just a little loose, and didnt affect the safety or slide stop.
Click to expand...


On Colts it was a recurring theme for a long time with both examples I purchased in the 2000s arriving loose. I recall Tuner suggesting replacement for every new Colt. Also had a Smith that took some damage so I took the opportunity to swap it and get rid of the Tu-Tone look.
 
danez71 said:
I appreciate the reply.

Thank you for sharing and really trying to figure out what happened rather than only considering the gun being the issue.

I need to scrutinize my holsters.
Click to expand...

That's where I'm at with this. I'm 99% sure it was a perfect storm of events, ending with me leaning on the gun and engaging the trigger.
I ordered a new Kydex holster for it and that already came in. I'm still going to take it to a Smith for inspection before I carry it again.
 
Skylerbone said:
It’s a machine like any other. I wouldn’t get rid of a vehicle if it stalled once and I could never repeat the failure. Unlike an automobile, the 1911 is rather simple, the prints are available and dimensions known to smiths who work on them.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. My first thought was "Damn I'm never going to carry this POS again!"
But after the shock of finding that struck primer in my chamber wore off, I came to my senses and remembered that people have been carrying 1911s for 110 years. Need to figure it out and carry on.
 
A good holster from a good maker designed for the 1911 would have completely avoided this incident. If you insist on carrying it while you are working in a restricted space and wrestling equipment then the holster needs a good retention strap or locking mechanism.

If it had been a glock the drop safety (trigger dingus) would not have saved you, if the trigger was pulled, the glock would have fired

Glad you were not hurt.
 
ontarget said:
That is what I guess happened.
I did roll to my right side several times and was in a very tight spot. The holster in question is not soft or floppy but if leaned on while the gun was slightly lifted could engage the trigger. This would explain the strike to the primer, with this series 80, if my skin or lowest rib, was pressing the GS as I was contorting my body around.
I'm sure my coat slowed the hammer enough to save my leg.
Click to expand...
Those events happening in concert bring to mind the phrase "The Perfect Storm". Although this, fortunately, ended more positively than the movie.
 
Skylerbone said:
Tuner has passed unfortunately
Click to expand...
I really hate to hear that. I probably learned more from his posts than everyone else combined, he just had a way of explaining things in a way I could understand.

he could have easily written an excellent book on the mechanics of a 1911 if he had wanted to.

anyway, he will be missed by me, may his soul be resting in peace.

sorry for the tread drift.
 
Skylerbone said:
On Colts it was a recurring theme for a long time with both examples I purchased in the 2000s arriving loose. I recall Tuner suggesting replacement for every new Colt.
Click to expand...

If loose plunger tubes on 1911 pistols are a concern, the best way of never having one is to buy a Ruger. As well, of course, for other good reasons.
 
I wear my 1911 doing things like changing my oil or working on a mower, or whatever. Never would have thought about the holster tripping the trigger while my fat roll disengaged the grip safety while I accidentally had taken my thumb safety off. Gives you a new perspective.
 
DeepSouth said:
I really hate to hear that. I probably learned more from his posts than everyone else combined, he just had a way of explaining things in a way I could understand.

he could have easily written an excellent book on the mechanics of a 1911 if he had wanted to.

anyway, he will be missed by me, may his soul be resting in peace.

sorry for the tread drift.
Click to expand...
I hate to hear it as well. He talked me through fixing a couple 1911 issues several years ago.
1911Tuner and rcmodel have probably taught me more than everyone else up here.
 
ontarget said:
I had a very near possibly tragic experience yesterday. I'm hoping the 1911 experts can help me out here.
I was carrying my new to me Colt Commander IWB in a decent quality leather holster (Relentless Tactical) at 3:30-4:00 position. It is where I have always carried my ccw. Gun was locked and cocked with safety on. Holster covers trigger completely. Gun is factory stock except the Hogue grip.
I was working in a tight area but gun was completely covered by my coat.
I checked the gun at one point in the day and noticed that the safety was bumped
off AND THE HAMMER WAS DOWN:what:.
When I got home I unholstered and opened the slide to eject this.View attachment 1035815
All I can think is that my coat slowed the hammer enough to cause the light strike and save my leg and possibly my life.

How could the hammer possibly fall if the trigger is completely covered by thick leather and inside my pants?
I tried to do a push off test but the hammer held in place.
I'm a bit rattled by this and not sure what to think right about now.
Click to expand...
Have you got the grip safety pinned down?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
holster for cocked & locked 1911
Replies
18
Views
4K
GRIZ22
G
P
  • Locked
CC holster carry for Colt Mustang
Replies
1
Views
333
Girodin
G
E
  • Locked
1911 grip safety: why?
2 3
Replies
72
Views
4K
SAWBONES
S
0
  • Locked
1911 hammer bite?
Replies
16
Views
1K
NMGonzo
N
B
  • Locked
Please explain the allure of the 1911
2 3
Replies
54
Views
2K
yeti
Y
Back
Top