1911 Hammer drops to half-cock, sometimes.

[HKUSP45C]

So I have another Ithaca 1911 that will sometimes drop to half-cock when the slide is dropped from stop/lock position. I feel this is a safety issue, I've never seen a 1911 behave this way. Heck I refuse to load this pistol on principle alone.

What can I do?

If I can't do anything can anyone recommend a 1911 gunsmith on the NW side of Houston?

Just to clarify, when I pull the slide back and lock it, about 3 times out of 10 the hammer drops to half cock on slide release. Not from the sling shot move but pushing down on the slide lock.

 

[rcmodel]

You can hold the trigger back when you drop the slide.

Or, you can bend the middle arm of the flat spring in to put more pressure on the sear & disconnecter.

But more then likely, the hammer hooks and sear need attention after falling to the intercept notch that many times.

I'd suggest you find a good gunsmith who knows 1911's.


rcmodel

 

[HKUSP45C]

When I hold the trigger back as I drop the slide the ratio goes to like 9/10 instead of 3/10.

Still looking for info though

 

[HKUSP45C]

nevermind, it's till hit/miss

 

[Old Fuff]

rcmodel is right. If you continue to let the hammer drop - especially if the hammer is stopped at the half-cock notch - you are going to do more damage to the hammer and sear. It may be too late as it is. Find someone who knows how to detail strip the pistol and can inspect the internals for damage. Then go from there.

Holding the trigger back while dropping the slide into battery should keep the hammer from following down. When it doesn't something is seriously wrong. If (big "IF") the hammer and sear aren't scrap a new sear & disconector spring might solve the problem.

 

[1911Tuner]

Does the gun have a steel trigger in it?

 

[Old Fuff]

So I have another Ithaca 1911 that will sometimes drop to half-cock when the slide is dropped from stop/lock position.

I would suspect so...

 

[1911Tuner]

Ithaca? Oh, well...Those things are junk. Better send it to me so I can hide it away from the world.

It's very likely the sear spring. If holding the trigger fully to the rear keeps it from dropping, it's almost a sure bet. Might wanna replace the mainspring too. Wolff...23 pound rating.

If you're within driving distance, run it by here. I'll have a peek and probably fix it for ya in 10-15 minutes. N/C

 

[burrhead]

http://www.actionsbyt.com/

The link is Teddy Jacobson's web site in Sugarland. Not cheap nor fast but he does world class action jobs.

 

[Old Fuff]

If you're within driving distance, run it by here. I'll have a peek and probably fix it for ya in 10-15 minutes. N/C

I was thinking about a half hour - give the man time to drink his coffee...

 

[Brian Williams]

Then another 15 minutes to shoot a bunch of mags thru it.

 

[HKUSP45C]

So, what do I do?

Change the mainspring or find a gunsmith.

I like collecting Ithaca 1911s .... don't know why, perhaps it's because of my fathers gift to me as a boy. US Army marked beat to heck pistol. I want it to be safe to shoot.

1911Tuner, I'm not near NC, at all. I'm in north Houston, TX

 

[1911Tuner]

So, what do I do?

Change the mainspring or find a gunsmith.

First...Bend the center and left legs of the sear spring forward...or install a new one, and change the mainspring. If that doesn't do it, then look for a gunsmith. I suggest Dave Berryhill. He's a Texas-based wrench who'll take care of it for ya and you won't get insulted in the process. Jacobson probably won't touch an Ithaca. Considers'em worthless junk, last report I got.

 

[rcmodel]

When I hold the trigger back as I drop the slide the ratio goes to like 9/10 instead of 3/10.

Still looking for info though

Well, the info is:
If it still follows with the trigger held firmly back, the sear & hammer are toast, and a spring or two isn't going to fix it.

At a minimum, they will have to be re-cut on a sear jig to restore the angles and edges.
At a maximum, they will have to be replaced if they have already been cut too far, or battered too much.

Since it is a Ithaca WWII GI gun, it would be best to keep it original by re-cutting the present parts.
If that is not possible, then at least try to use matching GI parts for replacements, not new aftermarket ones.


rcmodel

 

[1911Tuner]

If it still follows with the trigger held firmly back, the sear & hammer are toast, and a spring or two isn't going to fix it.

Concur. You've got a hammer/sear interface problem.

 

[Old Fuff]

HKUSP45C:

I have no idea what the overall condition of your pistol is, but Ithaca 1911A1 pistols in original and excellent to mint condition can command prices in the $1,200 to $2,000 range. Therefore it would be wise to get someone who is knowledgeable to check it out and see what's going on. Obviously this is not something any of us can do over the Internet.

In and of itself, the practice of dropping the slide when there is no cartridge in the magazine is considered to be abusive. The pistol is by no means delicate, but it is best hold the slide while lowering it on an empty chamber.

Hopefully the damaged hammer and sear can be restored to proper function. If not it would be advisable as Tuner suggested, to spend the money to at least get a USGI hammer. At the same time I would also replace the sear & disconector, firing pin, recoil, and hammer springs. These are relatively inexpensive parts, and the ones now in the pistol may be suffering from age.