Spur vs Combat ....is there a safety advantage ?

[xXxplosive]

While some here are concerned about the possibility of dropping a model 1911 and having an AD while carrying +1....how much would hammer design, Spur vs. Combat come into play as a safety factor or none at all ?

Does one design lend itself to an overall safer mode of carry ?

 

[CWL]

While some here are concerned about the possibility of dropping a model 1911 and having an AD while carrying +1

Besides you, who else is "concerned"?

Hammer design isn't as important as the condition of the sear and firing-pin/spring that may lead to AD on a dropped M1911. Like all firearms, they are drop-tested, and the M1911 design has been around 100-years already, been used for 2 World Wars plus plenty of additional wars, police activity and SD instances. Been through lots of bumps and jumps without any problems.

 

[xXxplosive]

If you've read other threads many have mentioned their concern about carrying and having a dropped or bumped pistol......was wondering IYO if hammer design could make a difference with reguard to safety of the gun and handling ?
Obviously not in your case..............

 

[CWL]

Nah, it really is your fear. Just stay away from M1911s if you feel this way.

Rather than get into discussions about a manual printed in 1917, I tend to trust a firearm platform that has been around for 100 years, and carried in combat during all of those years.

Back to your question, be more concerned about a faulty sear or firing pin set than the hammer.

 

[Zerodefect]

My 1911 has a FP safety just like every other gun out there. There's plenty of pistols alot more touchy than a 1911. Just piss poor training and unrealistic expectations seem to follow 1911 topics here.

 

[rcmodel]

When cocked & locked, the hammer spur on a standard hammer is protected from impact by the grip safety tang sticking out even with or slightly past it.

A Commander type ring or burr hammer is generally used with a beavertail grip safety, and is almost totally protected by it when cocked.

The only time impact has any bearing is when folks unwisely carry a loaded 1911 with the hammer on the half-cock or intercept notch of the hammer.

In that case, the hammer is not protected by the grip safety tang, nor is it fully lowered against the slide where the slide can absorb the impact to the hammer.

IMO: The spur hammer and standard grip safety make for way safer handling of the hammer if you insist on cocking / uncocking it loaded.
Beavertails & burr hammers get in the way of positive & safe hammer manipulation.

rc

 

[xXxplosive]

Well, I presently own both and have for years..all mine are Pre 80's as I wouldn't have a pistol with anything that blocked the firing pin, JMO...my Gov't Model 1911 has the Spur and my Combat Commander has the Combat hammer.........neither one poses any type of problem for me as they're both carried +1 always. The Gov't model does not have a beavertail grip safety and I could see what some here concern themselves with as it's a long spur and if dropped......well who knows.
My combat commander also doesn't have a beaver tail but the Combat hammer design seem less apt to pose any real delemma.....they both work great.





"In a gunfight as in a lottery, somebodies gonna win....it might as well be you."

 

[Gunfighter123]

I agree with RC --- a cocked 1911 type pistols hammer is fully protected by the "tang" of the grip safety --- ring or spur hammers are both as safe.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The only safety issue with spur hammers is "hammer bite", wherein the web of you hand gets "bitten" by the spur where it overhangs the grip safety tang.

I personally prefer spur type to combat type. They're easier to manipulate.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A spurred hammer would be easier and safer to cock for Condition Two carry. Otherwise I can see no safety advantage for one over the other. A long spurred hammer does not work with a beavertail grip safety.

 

[Rexster]

Dropped 1911s that fire upon hard impact usually do so by inertia fire, from hitting muzzle-first, not am impact on the hammer. A worn-out firing pin spring can allow the firing pin to move forward, with enough force to fire a cartridge, when a 1911 lands on its muzzle. Firing pin locks are a complicated way to insure against this. Replacing firing pin springs every 3000 rounds is an uncomplicated way to do the same thing.