1911 Hammer bite - remedies?

[herrwalther]

Even with cutting my teeth on a bobtail 1911, I have never had hammer bite. A skeletonized and bobbed hammer is a good remedy if you don't feel like polishing the stock one yourself. Beavertail and duckbill grips are pretty unnecassary in my opinion if you have a well fit hammer.

 

[Rittmeister]

Thanks for all input so far. Would love to see other pictures if anyone has one.

I have zero problems with my other 1911s as they all have more modern beavertail grip safeties. I knew that getting bitten was a possibility with a GI-type gun before buying it, but, well, I wanted one.

I am leaning towards doing some subtle grinding on the existing hammer. As I'm an inveterate tinkerer and modifier I'm not opposed to part swaps but I want this one to keep the spirit and silhouette of an older 1911. A different hammer is a possibility but I'm treating it as plan B or C for now.

 

[chicharrones]

Thanks for all input so far. Would love to see other pictures if anyone has one.

I have zero problems with my other 1911s as they all have more modern beavertail grip safeties. I knew that getting bitten was a possibility with a GI-type gun before buying it, but, well, I wanted one.

I am leaning towards doing some subtle grinding on the existing hammer. As I'm an inveterate tinkerer and modifier I'm not opposed to part swaps but I want this one to keep the spirit and silhouette of an older 1911. A different hammer is a possibility but I'm treating it as plan B or C for now.

I guess using a shooting glove is a possibility?

Or does that make things worse? I can't recall the last time I wore gloves to fire a handgun.

 

[Jim Watson]

No, there are people wearing gloves or taping their hands to shoot a gun that hurts them.
I guess if it were a "collector's item" that I only shot on "ceremonial occasions" that would be ok but it makes for a slow draw in normal use.

 

[Zahn]

I never had hammer bite until I bought a Talyor's and Company 1911 from Palmetto State Armory. This firearm is a pre-1911A1, or at least they tried to make it an original 1911. It's not a perfect reproduction, but the hammer and grip safety are very close to the original pre-1924 era M1911. I get hammer bite if I'm careless about my grip shooting it. Interestingly, having this firearm makes me more aware of my grip in general.

 

[Landgroove]

Adding stag grips worked for me. Created more space in palm area.



Also solved the problem with the Hi Power in same manner.

 

[entropy]

I have a set of Houge grips on my 1911 that probably would help prevent hammer bite if it didn't already have a Commander hammer. They also tightened up my groups a bit

 

[Lo-Profile]

Your grip is wrong. It's really that simple. Change your grip

I've been shooting GI 1911's since 1976 when I joined the military, have never got bitten by the hammer shooting.

 

[md7]

Thanks for all input so far. Would love to see other pictures if anyone has one.

I have zero problems with my other 1911s as they all have more modern beavertail grip safeties. I knew that getting bitten was a possibility with a GI-type gun before buying it, but, well, I wanted one.

I am leaning towards doing some subtle grinding on the existing hammer. As I'm an inveterate tinkerer and modifier I'm not opposed to part swaps but I want this one to keep the spirit and silhouette of an older 1911. A different hammer is a possibility but I'm treating it as plan B or C for now.

I’m fortunate to have not experienced 1911 hammer bite. Hate to hear you’re getting it.

Off the cuff…. Removing some material from the hammer, trying a different grip (if you haven’t already tried), or trying wider grips may help.

Having seen a few spur hammers with a little metal removed….. I think they mostly still have that old school look. So if that’s the route you choose, then I think you won’t be disappointed in how it turns out.

Hope it all turns out like you want!

 

[whisler]

I had one 1911 that gave me hammer bite and a few judicious strokes with a fine file and a little cold blue and no more hammer bite.