Vertical play in 1911 trigger

[Ceemack]

How much vertical play is normal or acceptable in the pad on a 1911 trigger?

I'm fitting a grip safety to a 1911 on which I replaced the trigger a while back. The trigger was slightly oversize, and I had to file down the top of the trigger pad a little bit to get it to fit through the channel.

The trigger pad can now move up and down slightly. I fitted the grip safety by removing the least material possible to let the trigger bow move backward when the grip safety is fully depressed. Testing it out, I discovered that every once in a while the trigger won't move backward even though the grip safety is fully depressed. It appears to be because the minimal clearance won't allow the trigger to move if it's in one particular position.

So I've got a choice: take a litte more material off the grip safety tab, or try to fit a different trigger and hopefully get less vertical play. The risk of taking more material off the grip safety tab is that there won't be enough material left to stop the rearward movement of the trigger bow under normal circumstances.

In a perfect world there would be no vertical play in the trigger at all, but we don't live in a perfect world. I don't have another 1911 that I can use as a reference. Anybody got any thoughts?

 

[RogersPrecision]

It sounds as if the vertical play in the bow is the problem.
I've adjusted this using two methods.
First method can be tricky. I've silver soldered shim stock to the rear upper corners, then filed to fit.
Second method is easier. Using a sharp prick punch, upset some material at the rear of the bow, both top and bottom. You'll need to use a steel bar, secured in a vise, as an arbor/anvil through the bow. Locate your punch at least 1/16" inward from the edge. File to fit.

 

[Ceemack]

That sounds like a great idea...never would have thought of that one.

Now if I can just find a steel bar of the right size...

 

[Ditchtiger]

I remember seeing a trigger with a small spring loaded ball bearing in it that will fix your troubles. But I don't recall the custom shop's name.

 

[Ceemack]

Oh, yeah...thanks!

 

[JoeHatley]

www.ccactions.com

I put one of his ball bearning triggers in my SW1911.



Removed all vertical play.

Joe

 

[RogersPrecision]

Neither the spring loaded ball bearing trigger or a conventional and well fit shoe,
will do a thing for vertical play at the rear of the bow.

 

[2RCO]

I've seen numerous GI guns that have considerable play. I don't think it is a big concern honestly. Someone my disagree with me here.

 

[JoeHatley]

Neither the spring loaded ball bearing trigger or a conventional and well fit shoe,
will do a thing for vertical play at the rear of the bow.

Actually, I was too lazy to add that I sent Carlos the specs for the bow size I wanted and he matched it perfectly.

Joe

 

[rcmodel]

This sounds more like a grip safety fitting problem then anything to do with the trigger play.

Nothing that can happen with normal vertical play in a very sloppy trigger causes anything to catch or hang up.
(unless it somehow drops so far down it misses the disconnector.)

Trigger vertical play is normally only worried about, or corrected, in order to get a perfect match-grade trigger pull.

I would suggest you take it apart again, clean the oil off everything with solvent, then "Color" all the contact spots on the trigger, safety, etc. with a black Magic-Marker (or Dykem Layout Blue).

Put it back together, and operate it however it is that causes the hang-up.
You will then have a very clear picture of what is catching on what!

Odds are about 1000 to *2 it is the grip safety clearance.
*The one other possibility is the disconnector is too short.
The disconnector should never be less then 1.285" long. Most run longer then that, with 1.288" being a good average.


rcmodel