1911 Safety Problem

[BE4TNUT]

Hello all. I had a qusetion about a 1911 and safety problem that I found on a friend's 1911.

He got it and didn't know how to break it down or anything so I showed him what I normally do. It is an 80 Series Colt National Match Gold Cup in SS. We shot it at the range first and then when we got back to my place I broke it down, showed him how dirty it got with the cheap ammo (haha) and put it back together. Whenever I do that I cock the hammer back, disengage the grip safety and pull the trigger to test it. To my surprise the hammer dropped (uh oh). Next I cocked the hammer back, disengaged the grip safety, engaged the manual thumb safety and pulled the trigger. Upon applying more pressure to the trigger than is needed to fire this with the safety off, the thumb safety flipped off (without touching it) and the hammer dropped.

Does this sound like any particular part that may be worn and may need to be replaced? I am still learning on the 1911 platform so this is beyond my knowledge.

Thanks.

 

[45collector]

Sounds like you possibly put the firing pin safety lever parts in wrong.

Actually no, reading it again I'm trying to picture everything you did: Is the gun completely back together now? I don't think you'd be able to fit the sear spring and grip safety in properly if the firing pin safety levers were in wrong. Let me ask you this: Did the thumb safety come out easily upon disassembly? I've found with series 80's guns for some reason the thumb safety is a bit more difficult to pull out than on 70 style guns. With the main spring housing out and the hammer back, you flip the thumb safety up and then out. On my nickel series 80 you have to find the sweet spot to get it out. It's nowhere near as easy as on my 70 guns.

 

[BE4TNUT]

Sounds like you possibly put the firing pin safety lever parts in wrong.

Actually no, reading it again I'm trying to picture everything you did: Is the gun completely back together now? I don't think you'd be able to fit the sear spring and grip safety in properly if the firing pin safety levers were in wrong. Let me ask you this: Did the thumb safety come out easily upon disassembly? I've found with series 80's guns for some reason the thumb safety is a bit more difficult to pull out than on 70 style guns. With the main spring housing out and the hammer back, you flip the thumb safety up and then out. On my nickel series 80 you have to find the sweet spot to get it out. It's nowhere near as easy as on my 70 guns.

Let me clarify. I only did a basic field strip of removing the slide, recoil spring and barrel. I am not yet brave enough to do a full dis-assembly without someone who knows how it all fits back together. If it is something like that, it would have been something done by a previous owner.

I am basically looking to get an idea of where to start on this to help him getting it working properly again. It seemed to shoot great while we had it out at the range.

 

[bbarer]

Were the safeties working before you field stripped the gun? There is nothing you could have done to alter their use by field stripping. I ask because I have seen 1911's that have had the grip safety modified to not work (I know stupid but it is done by grinding off the leg) I have also seen them malfunction due to a broken leaf spring. As for the thumb safety never seen one of those malfuction unless the knub has broken off or somehow worn down?

The only way to fix this issue is to get the gun to a competent gunsmith, this is not something you should try at home........Do not use it till it has been repaired please..

 

[45collector]

You know that when you field strip the 1911 and click the thumb safety on, it is able to travel further in the up position than if you had left the slide on the gun right? I'm betting that's your problem. Cock the hammer, leave the safety OFF, and put the gun back together. Try it then and report back.

ETA: Make sure the firing pin safety lever (that protrudes from the top of the frame just foward and right of the hammer) is in the down position when you're putting the slide back on. I've seen guys with series 80 guns trying to force the slide back onto the rails while that lever is just dinging the shit out of the rear of the slide. This is because it's easier to line the barrel link up and keep the recoil spring guide in place when the gun is upside down while putting the slide back on. You won't see that the FP safety lever is stopping the slide from going all the way home when the gun is upside down.

 

[bill o]

...I ask because I have seen 1911's that have had the grip safety modified to not work (I know stupid but it is done by grinding off the leg)

It's common for competitive shooters to disable the 1911 grip safety. It's not "stupid" when done for the right reasons.

 

[BE4TNUT]

Thanks for the info, I will check these and see what happens. I did not try the safety at the range. The safety was not used since we leave the action open when not being used, and when they were put away they were all hammer down.

I have figured out the firing pin safety shortly after buying a 1911 with one a couple of years ago haha. That thing can be a real pain in the ass at times.

 

[Greg Derr]

Both safeties have what are termed interfearence fit. That means that one part blocks the other. If they have been altered then the safety has been defeated. For the record all the competitive rules that I know of do not allow for disabling of safeties. And no professional gunsmith would.

If you have more questions about the safeties please ask.

 

[bill o]

Both safeties have what are termed interfearence fit. That means that one part blocks the other. If they have been altered then the safety has been defeated. For the record all the competitive rules that I know of do not allow for disabling of safeties. And no professional gunsmith would.

If you have more questions about the safeties please ask.

It is allowed in USPSA.

 

[45collector]

And? How'd we do?

 

[BE4TNUT]

I have not yet been able to sync up with my buddy to take a look at it again. Hoping this weekend at some point.

 

[45collector]

Well I hope that gun is not your buddy's only firearm!

Good luck.