1911 acting funny, advice needed.

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I'm fairly new to 1911's, bought my first one (PT1911) a couple months back, but it's been acting a bit funny lately (forgive me if I use improper terms in my description).

It ran through the first box of ammo just fine, no problems (Remington JHP). The next box (WWB-JHP) started giving me trouble. Quite a few times (10-15) the hammer would fail to fully cock after firing. The next round would load, but the hammer would only go to the half-cocked location, thus requiring the operator to either thumb it back the rest of the way or a rack of the slide.

In addition, while my brother was shooting it it fired off two rounds in very quick succession. I'm not sure if he just tapped it twice without realizing it (he says he's sure he didn't), or if it was a mechanical issue.

I picked up a box of Remington JHP and will be taking it out tomorrow. I figure that it might have just been a bad box of ammo, but that changing brands should shed some light on the matter. In the meanwhile, from a technical standpoint, does anyone have any idea what might be going on?

Thanks!
 
Do Not Shoot the gun any more!

Do Not Shoot the gun any more! as stated there can be a couple of things or a combination of things wrong. If it is under warentee contact the company if not take it to a gun smith. The half cock is the hammer following the slide down this is very dangerous!
 
This does not sound like an ammo problem this is a gun problem. If it is loading a unfired round the hammer should be cocked. I would send it back to Taurus or to a gunsmith.
 
Roger that, it won't be making the trip to the range tomorrow (or anytime before I can get some more insight by those who know more than I actually looking at it).
 
This could be as serious as a mis-cut hammer and sear not allowing the sear to hold the hammer properly. The doubling would concern me.

Most likely it is the minor problem of too light sear spring pressure.

Disassemble the gun and remove the sear spring. Put a little bit, and I mean just a little bit, more bend on the left leg of the spring.

Reassemble. Then dry fire, keep the trigger pulled, pull back the slide and let it slam shut. Try that three or four times. If the hammer doesn't follow, problem solved. If it does follow, repeat the above adding a little bit more bend. If that does not solve the problem, then it is a hammer sear engagement problem. Send it back to the factory.
 
Good question: Ive had the same issue with mine. I took out all of the nasty series 80 stuff and replaced alot of the internals, but I am a decent gun tinkerer, so I know generally what I am doing.

Hammer follow. I perform the test (mag in, no rounds, use slide release to close gun, check for hammer follow). I replaced the disconnector with a different one and tried same test, no hammer follow. Cured?
 
You have your answer many times over, but I think maybe a little more clarification might be needed beyond what has been said so you fully appreciate what is happening.

You state that the hammer isn't going back all the way, failing to fully cock and staying at half cock. Actually, the hammer is fully cocking, it just isn't staying there. Its falling again the same as if you had pulled the trigger (even though you haven't) and sometimes on the way forward its stopping at half cock, or in the case of your brother's double shots, its falling all the way and firing again.
 
Regardless of what initially caused the hammer to follow down, by now it has very likely damaged the sear edge from whacking into the intercept notch (safety notch).

I'd find a pistol-smith, or send it back to Taurus if you don't feel comfortable learning enough about 1911's to fix it yourself.

This is a real safety issue and should be taken very seriously!

rcmodel
 
This is a real safety issue and should be taken very seriously!
Click to expand...

I'm taking it as serious as a heart attack. First, I don't want anyone to get hurt. Second, I have no desire to damage my new purchase anymore more than it may already be.

I'll be shipping it off today, tomorrow at latest.
 
OK - since you've had it down (assuming that you pulled the hammer/sear/discon..) Do it again. clean all parts "spanked baby-butt clean, and look really close. Use a straight edge on the hammer hooks and the sear and see if light passes. I am thinking that it just needs a bit of cleaning, and GOOD lube .. I use weaponShield a lot these days. And not a bad idea to put a tad more bend on the sear spring, eh? But clean and lube.

I <<<< me do not think that you have a dangerous weapon yet.

When testing, try 1 rd. in the mag at a time.

Don't be scared crappless - just take it 1 step at a time... If that doesn't work - UPS fees, gun away time....

b-
 
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