Colt 1911 Series 80 Question

[StrawHat]

I am not knowledgeable about 1911s so I need some help.

My brother has several 1911s, anything from a couple made in the early teens to a Series 80, and a couple by other makers. One thing he likes about the 1918 versions is the wider hammer they used. I see wide hammers available from Brownells and others and was wondering if this would be a drop int fit for a Series 80? If so, it would be a nice Christmas present. The Series 80 is currently stock so the hammer would be the only change. Would other parts need to be swapped to accommodate the hammer? He can do the work, I just don't want to buy him something that will cost him $$$ to install.

Thanks.

 

[drband]

That's a nice gesture on your part SH! Be advised that a new hammer would probably NOT be a drop in part. At he very least, a gunsmith familiar with 1911s should fit/verify proper sear-hammer engagement. Improper fit can run from poor trigger pull issues all the way to a very unsafe gun with hammer follow. A new hammer might require a new sear as well. I would suggest talking to a gunsmith before making this purchase to get a true picture of cost(safe install).

 

[tark]

Amen to everything drband has said. A hammer is seldom a drop in part. At the very least the sear engagement will have to be stoned for a proper alignment. This is not that expensive. Failure to do this might get you a gun that doubles, or even goes full auto. Been there, done that! The last bullet usually goes straight up, or even behind you!

I would find the gunsmith first and then buy that hammer. I'm with you, I love the wide hammer spur on the original 1911s.

 

[StrawHat]

He can do all the trigger work. I just wonder if the stock grip safety would also need to be replaced.

If it were me doing this, I would have to find a 1911 smith and ship everything out. The brother has all the tools and works on 1911s the way I used to work on S&W revolvers. He can almost do it in his sleep.

Just wondering if I need to buy him a safety also.

 

[tark]

I don't believe the grip safety interacts with the hammer or the sear at all. It merely blocks the trigger from being pulled, if not depressed by the firing hand. But....if I have learned anything on this forum I have learned this; just when you are positive you know the answer to something......

Maybe 1911Tuner will weigh in.

 

[Walkalong]

The grip safety interacts with the trigger bar. The thumb safety interacts with the sear. Unless the sear is changed the thumb safety should be fine, as there should be plenty of clearance with the hammer.

But I'll move this to Gunsmithing and Repairs where the experts can tell you for sure.

 

[BBBBill]

Curious about which wide spur hammer you're looking at. There've been very few quality wide spurs offered in the last few years.
Current manufacturers all have their own idea about what constitutes "the best" hammer hook profile and even location on the hammer relative to the pivot point. A comparison of several hammers stacked on a common shaft is revealing. The differences may seem subtle, but when combined with the same ideas about sear geometry, can lead to some "interesting" situations. And modifying/replacing the hammer is just as significant as modifying/replacing the sear. Either/both will affect the fit of the thumb safety. If you get lucky you will have enough material to refit. The usual outcome is replacement although they can be welded and refit. If the grip safety is the standard GI type it will work fine with a wide spur hammer. If it is a beavertail type it will need to be replaced or have the tail modified to clear the spur. Since it is an S80 the timing of the firing pin safety parts needs to be checked/adjusted with replacement/modification of hammer, sear, and/or disconnector. Timing of those parts is often bad from the factory and needs to be checked anyway.
So, yes, depending on a lot of variables, it will require some work and possibly more money to fit a different hammer.

 

[Jim Watson]

Fusion sells one
http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/fusionfirearms/the-191/Hammer,-Mil-spec-WIDE/Detail
I think a $23 hammer might call for a good bit of fitting.

The KC lockwork set is very nice but very expensive.
http://www.kcskustomcreations.com/competition-trigger-components.html

There are some really cheap ones, around $13, at Numrich. One poster said his was made by Colt but I doubt the ones they have in stock now are real Colt. The mold mark is clearly visible in the ad. I have one of those in a gun and it does very well, but it was fitted by a major pro gunsmith.

The last place I know of selling real USGI closed up last month. Pity, I have a GI wide spur hammer on my Commander and they did not make junk for the Government.

 

[StrawHat]

The grip safety interacts with the trigger bar. The thumb safety interacts with the sear. Unless the sear is changed the thumb safety should be fine, as there should be plenty of clearance with the hammer.

But I'll move this to Gunsmithing and Repairs where the experts can tell you for sure.

Thank you.