trigger bow question

[lindermant]

I recently purchased a NIB Springfield Armory 9mm 1911 (my first 1911). After 850 rounds downrange the tinkering bug has hit, and I've decided to tear into it to see what makes it work.

I've spent a lot of time reading the gunsmithing sections on this forum, the 1911 forum, and pistolsmith.com; and most importantly - my copies of Kuhnhausen's 1911 manuals (Vol I and II) should arrive in the mail any day now.

The trigger was pretty tough to take out of my pistol, and when it came out it had the following wear marks on the bow:

The bow was, well bowed pretty bad. I was able to gently remove the bow on the sides a little at a time using a vise, and after many trial fits I've now got it to drop in and out of the frame with zero drag (and the magazine drops free too).

The question I have concerns the rear of the trigger bow. As seen in this pic, it's pushed in (not flat across the back):

*NOTE: the rear was indented like that when I removed it from the pistol, it was not caused by using the vice to bring the sides back to spec so that the trigger would slide easily in the frame

Should it be like that? From all the pics I've been able to find online, they all look flat across the back of the bow. I'm hesitant to do anything as yet to straighten it out (again, the rear of the bow is not dragging on the magazine at all).

I'm thinking a purchase of Brownells trigger stirrup die is in order.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[1911Tuner]

Bent Stirrup

Howdy Tom,

From the looks of it, somebody has pulled the trigger HARD with the
hammer down. That bend isn't supposed to be there, and it could keep the sear from moving far enough to let the hammer fall.

The scuffing on the sides is a non-issue unless the trigger is binding in the channel, which it doesn't appear to be doing. Springfield MAY warranty the trigger, but it'll be a crap-shoot since abuse did the damage. You can
straighten it, but the stirrup may break in one of the corners at some point.
If Springfield won't replace it, it would be in your best interest to replace it
out of pocket, if you depend on the gun for defense. Straighten the original
trigger and keep it for a spare. Some aftermarket triggers are a little oversized on the shoe, and will require fitting. It's not hard, and can be
done correctly if you take your time. I'll give you instructions if you opt
for an aftermarket. Springfield will sell you one for about 40 bucks that probably won't require fitting, but if it does, the instructions will still apply.

Standin' by...

Tuner

 

[lindermant]

Tuner,

Thanks for the reply. Now you've got me scratching my head wondering if I've ever pulled on the trigger while the hammer was down... I thought I knew better than to do that

MidwayUSA has a replacement SA trigger for $12.45, gonna put my order in now (I'll mess with fitting a trigger another time).

 

[Tupperware]

Tom,
PM sent on replacement trigger.

 

[stans]

I'm thinking it would take a lot of force to bend the back of the bow.

 

[1911Tuner]

Force

stans said:

I'm thinking it would take a lot of force to bend the back of the bow.

It did, but not as much as might be imagined. Likely didn't do the sear and disconnect any good either. Another good reason to ask for a pistol from the back of the shop...one that hasn't been handled by 10 or 12 armchair
commandos a day. Also a good reason to learn to detail strip the gun
and have a look, before leaving the store with it if at all possible. Most
shops won't allow a breakdown until after the cash changes hands.

Caveat Emptor..

Tuner

 

[Old Fuff]

Some replacement triggers have bows that are made from lightweight stock and the material is dead soft. For that reason I keep a stock of older Colt triggers that are made of better stuff. I think part of that bend in the back of your trigger can be attributed to poor stuff. Anyway, I would replace the trigger rather then try to make the one you have work. Also carefully examine the sear and disconector for signs of damage.

For the record: I have examined a lot of badly abused 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols and never seen a mil-spec trigger that was bent like that piece of crap you took out of your gun.

Also, you often find bows that are bent in relation to the fingerpiece. Lightly clamp the fingerpiece in a vise and then use a small square to see if the bow is perpendicular to the fingerpiece. Straighten it if it isn't.

The best triggers are those made prior to World War II. Both the fingerpiece and bow were machined from one piece of steel. Unfortunately that kind of quality can’t be found anymore. Triggers are another place where manufacturer’s try to save a few pennies at the expense of quality. When you find a bad one replace it – out of pocket if necessary.

 

[1911Tuner]

Triggers

Ditto what Fuff said.

Uh...Fuff, ol pal...Ya don't have a couple of the pre 11-A1 triggers you'd be
willin' to sell, wouldja? Shore would like to have me a couple of'em.
I'm slap out, and I've got a project comin' in the next week or two.

 

[lindermant]

For the record: I have examined a lot of badly abused 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols and never seen a mil-spec trigger that was bent like that piece of crap you took out of your gun.

That's why I asked the question here, I knew you all would tell it like it is

For the record, that trigger is going in the garbage and a new one is on the way.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Old Fuff]

Tuner:

I'm sorry, but right now I'm not where my parts are. However I'll look around to see what might be found. What exactly are you looking for?

 

[Jim K]

Hi, Old Fuff,

You are starting to sound like me. I got mild heck from the moderator on another forum for saying so often that the modern stuff is junk (I guess he was worried about his advertisers seeing my posts). I did get a lot of GI parts when they were dirt cheap, but most have been used over the years. I wish I could still buy stuff at those prices.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

So do I ......

I probably gave away as much as I used. I'm not sure if Tuner needs a 1911 (long finger piece) or early 1911-A1 (short finger piece) trigger, but I'll try to find him one somewhere in my junkbox.

I think the problem is that today's manufacturers can't make an affordable Government Model pistol without going to what we consider sub-standard parts. The old girl just doesn't take to modern production methods and materials so far as certain key parts are concerned. All of this can be corrected by spending $$$$ but many folks either can't or won't spend the kind of money that it takes. One alternative used to be to build something up on a used gun, but now those have gone out-of-sight also.

I know what you mean about editors (also Mods) and advertising. At least you can say what you want here. But telling the truth can be very unpopular .....

 

[1911Tuner]

Trigger

Old Fuff asked:

What exactly are you looking for?

2 Long, smooth triggers...and three or four dozen GI extractors
A few slidestops would be nice...OOH! Firing pins and stops!
But, mainly need a trigger or two...

Jim, I remember the days that gun show vendors had price wars on
GI extractors, and couldn't give'em away. New sears were about a
buck-fifty each...Where is H.G Wells when ya really need him?

Fuff, I'm like you...I've given more away than I've sold...A lot of it over
these forums. Time, parts, and work. Still tryin' to locate a short, checkered
Colt trigger for Blues Bear. I know there's one around here somewhere...

Thanks,
Tuner

 

[Old Fuff]

Well I'll go look .....

Not sure what I can find because I'm in the wrong place.