Southern Raider
Member
I have a Colt Officers 1911, series 80 that I obtained in trade. After polishing some internal parts, I noticed that when firing it would sometimes lock up. (Hammer cocked with me pulling on the trigger, but nothing happening.) By disassembling the gun, I could reset the mechanism.
Upon inspecting another series 80 1911 I had worked by a well known gunsmith, I noticed that the right front edge of the sear had been heavily filed/stoned along its length to remove material, and now it dawned on me why. The series 80 parts create a step on the right side of the sear, which the sear could hit if things weren't perfect. Sure enough, I noticed that my Officer sear could slide over enough to hit this ledge and be stuck.
Is this a widely understood possible issue for series 80 1911s? I have tried to duplicate the beveling of the sear, which has improved the situation greatly, but it will still catch occasionally. At least now I can reset the trigger by cycling the slide.
Any reason why I wouldn't remove that ledge internal to the frame? Any other fixes to this problem?
Upon inspecting another series 80 1911 I had worked by a well known gunsmith, I noticed that the right front edge of the sear had been heavily filed/stoned along its length to remove material, and now it dawned on me why. The series 80 parts create a step on the right side of the sear, which the sear could hit if things weren't perfect. Sure enough, I noticed that my Officer sear could slide over enough to hit this ledge and be stuck.
Is this a widely understood possible issue for series 80 1911s? I have tried to duplicate the beveling of the sear, which has improved the situation greatly, but it will still catch occasionally. At least now I can reset the trigger by cycling the slide.
Any reason why I wouldn't remove that ledge internal to the frame? Any other fixes to this problem?