New 1911 - Is this a problem?

[enichols]

Hello all-
I recently purchased my first handgun, a Springfield Mil-Spec 1911. Not the GI model, but the Mil-Spec with the bigger dot sights.
Anyway, I took it out for its first range trip today, and I put 100 rounds of CCI Blazer Brass .45 230gr FMJs through it. After I was done shooting, I disassembled and cleaned the pistol completely and then I reassembled it.

Here's where the weirdness started- I locked the slide back and thumbed the slide release without a magazine in the pistol, and the hammer went forward to a half-cock position when the slide returned to battery. I thought that with 1911s the hammer was supposed to stay back to a full cock after you pushed the slide release. So, I inserted an empty magazine into the pistol and tried again. I pulled the slide back, pressed the slide release, and the hammer still returned to half-cock when the slide went forward.

Is this a problem or normal functioning? Does the hammer only stay back fully when you push the slide release with loaded magazine in the pistol? If it's a problem, what could be causing it?

Thanks for any info you can give me.
-Nic

 

[ACORN]

Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Check this out!!!!!!!!!!! http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=251582

 

[nitesite]

I own a SA Mil-Spec.

If that had happened to mine as a brand new firearm I would have asked SA to send a shipping label and get it back in their hands for a thorough going over.

You could gain a lot of knowledge by stripping your pistol apart (if you've never done it before) to tweak a spring or whatever, but it's not your responsibility on a brand new firearm. The responsibility rests solely with Springfield Armory.

 

[Walkalong]

but it's not your responsibility on a brand new firearm. The responsibility rests solely with Springfield Armory.

Ditto.
They can fix it and they want to fix it. Send it to them and it will be back in no time. They will even reimburse your shipping costs up to $50.

 

[enichols]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll send it to Springfield.
-Nic

 

[Whirlwind06]

locked the slide back and thumbed the slide release without a magazine in the pistol,

Just so you know, that is not a good thing to do to a 1911.

 

[distra]

Follow ACORN's link and read 1911Tuner's post. I had the same problem and that was what fixed it. The leaf spring needed tweeking a touch. One should avoid letting the slide slam home with out a round or snap cap being stripped from the mag.

 

[gudel]

you bought a new gun and it gives you problem already? that's not right.
send it back, let them eat the cost of shipping.