1911 Condition 3

[JCF]

Alright... someone, in another thread, stated that it upsets him to see people in gunshops "safe" a display 1911 by lowering the hammer with the trigger depressed. He didn't qualify his statement with an explanation. I will acknowledge that I am one of these people... always have been. Can someone please enlighten me as to why this practice is dangerous and/or damaging?

 

[Geronimo45]

I didn't get what he meant either. It's the only way I know to lower the hammer - make sure you've got an empty chamber with single action, and hold hammer with one hand, pull trigger with other. Let hammer down slow, gun pointing at safe place.

Maybe the guy just pulled the trigger, and didn't guide the hammer down with his other hand.

 

[Steve C]

If not done correctly, IE keeping the trigger depressed until the hammer is completely down, one can harm a fine trigger job by releasing the trigger and dragging the sear engagement on the hammer while its being lowered. On the other hand few 1911's come directly from a manufacturer with a fine trigger job other than perhaps some of the expensive mass produced customs like the Les Baer's.

The dangerous part would depend upon where the muzzle is directed.

 

[Wes Janson]

You should just dry-fire it, IMO.

 

[Skywarp]

I clear the gun 5 times and dry fire it. I asked every old 1911 man I could and they said just dry fire it.

 

[1911Tuner]

Con-3

So many myths...So much misinformation...So many gunshop commandos.
Some of the things I overhear are truly a caution.

Lowering the hammer on an empty chamber is completely safe, and will not harm a delicate trigger job. Lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber carries the potential for an accidental or unintentional discharge...though technically, the same can be said of carrying in Condition one...but can be done safely if done carefully. Dry practice is the key to learning the drill. Focusing completely on the task at hand is paramount. The hammer has checkering or serrations on it for a reason...just like the slidestop.

 

[JCF]

Thank you everyone for your clarification. I too have always engaged in dry practice, and have always gently lowered the hammer on my 1911's after ensuring an empty chamber and a safe muzzle direction. I don't honestly believe I've ever had opportunity or reason to lower the hammer of a 1911 on a loaded chamber to this point. Although I don't personally see the harm in it, I don't dry fire gunshop weapons in recognition of the fact that different people have very different, and often vitriolic, views on the practice - I have always chosen to lower the hammer instead. I suppose you just can't please everyone.

 

[Flashpoint]

The owner a gun shop that I frequent stick his pinky in front of the hammer, pulls the trigger, and then rolls his finger out of the way after the hammer drops. It may be wierd, but I started doing that when checking the trigger pull on a gun with a hammer. That way if the shop owner has a problem with dry firing they shouldn't say much when the hammer drops on your finger.