1911 hammer issue

[ghettofab]

Hello all. I have a 5" Springer mil-spec with a wilson hammer, smith and alexander grip safety, and a cylinder and slide aluminum trigger w/ overtravel screw. My issue is that when thumbing the hammer forward, there is a slight catch or drag at about the point the sear nose is passing the half-cock notch. I haven't noticed this problem before the grip safety and trigger were installed. It doesn't seem to affect reliability, but I also don't want to damage the sear or the hammer. Any suggestions as to what might cause this drag? Thanks everyone.

 

[Jim Watson]

The overtravel screw being turned in too far will cause that, it keeps the sear from moving far enough to clear the half cock. Back out the screw enough to stop it or risk a chipped sear.

 

[ghettofab]

Thanks, Jim. I suppose I should just back it off a tiny bit, just until the drag goes?

 

[Walkalong]

Jim is almost certainly right, but you could also relieve the hammer in that area just a bit if you are feeling froggy. Polish it to finish.

 

[ghettofab]

Now, THAT's what I'm talkin about. Gentlemen, start your dremels!!!!

 

[Magnumite]

Jim's right. The typical procedure for that adjustment is to back the screw out until you do not feel the hammer touching the sear as you slowly lower it. Then back the screw out 1/4 turn more.

 

[HSMITH]

You really need the pre-travel and overtravel. Don't get the dremel out, put a little overtravel in it. Take a look at the sear nose too, it has been getting whacked by the hammer each time since you installed the trigger, it may not be too healthy if this has been going on for a while.

Now you know how to properly adjust the overtravel screw, so all isn't lost.

I take them out and toss them, lots more trouble than a little bit of overtravel ever could be.....

 

[Walkalong]

Gentlemen, start your dremels!!!!

No. Don't get your dremel out, but you might be suprised how many sears are dragging against the hammer (above the safety notch) on the way down. The are often rough right there and smoothing and polishing won't hurt a thing and gives the sear a smoother ride if it's hitting. We like to get all the overtravel out and that is a side effect.

I knew a guy who used to bend the trigger bow at the back to lengthen the bow and remove all take up, but that also eliminated the safety because the sear could not move into the notch anymore. When we start fiddling, even just adjusting overtravel, we start changing things from the way they are intended.

Some take out the overtravel adjustment screw and toss it. That's a good idea for a carry gun.

 

[target1911]

The owners man.. for my Kimber said DO NOT thumb the hammer down, just pull the trigger. "ONLY AFTER MAKING SURE THE WEAPON IS EMPTY AND POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION"

 

[Magnumite]

On some 1911's, the grip safety lug which blocks trigger movement also prevents too much rearward movement of the trigger (lower part of that lug). If the lower trigger overtravel block is relieved too much, the hammer could follow the slide. If this condition exists, throwing away the overtravel screw in the trigger could also cause the hammer to follow the slide, since that screw prevents the overtravel in that setup.

All this, of course, would depend on the tolerance stackup in the pistol. Thought I would mention this, so those throwing the screws away, would know to test the pistol.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

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