1911a1 safety hard to engage?

[physics]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes.

I just came across a 1943 Colt 1911a1. It's in overall good condition, with the exception of the slide lock safety, which is very difficult to engage. With a "normal" amount of pressure I can slide the safety up about 1/8", which is not the "safe" position. To fully engage it I have to tilt the pistol to the side and press up quite hard with my thumbs to engage the safety. When engaged, the safety works, and it's easy to disengage.

I figure I should take the safety out and look it over. So I checked out a couple of manuals and a few on-line videos that all indicated the safety should slide out pretty easily, but I can't budge the darned thing. I even tried to drift it out with a brass punch, but no dice.

I don't think it has any bearing on the safety problem, but this pistol is missing its recoil spring guide.

Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[M1911]

I'd have a gunsmith look it over for you. Karl Sokol is in VT. Dunno how far he is from you. http://www.chestnutmountainsports.com/

 

[Urj]

Is the plunger tube still staked in firmly against the frame?

Is the thumb safety original to the gun or aftermarket?

Have you tried changing the hammer position from down/middle/back while trying to pull out the safety?

 

[physics]

Hi Urj,

Have you tried changing the hammer position from down/middle/back while trying to pull out the safety?

Hey, I got the safety out. I tried different hammer positions as you suggested. With the hammer locked back and the safety pushed up slightly, the safety slid right out. (Now I feel like a bigger dope than I usually do. )

The shorter arm on the safety that engages the sear & disconnector is chewed up. I guess I'll take it into a gunsmith for a looksee.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Urj]

No problem, glad you got it figured out. I installed my new thumb safety myself and when I fit it I made it a super tight fit so that there was absolutely no movement in the hammer whatsoever when it was engaged. This tight tolerance makes it so that I have to play with the hammer a bit when re-installing it after taking it apart.

Once you get more experience stripping the 1911 down you'll find the sweet spot where the safety needs to be pushed to in order to slide it out easily.

Oh and one last thing - Generally I wouldn't advise using a punch to do anything except push pins that specifically call for it. As for routine cleaning the only thing you need a punch for is the mainspring housing pin.

 

[physics]

Oh and one last thing - Generally I wouldn't advise using a punch to do anything except push pins that specifically call for it.

But I used such little taps; and they were controlled, gentle, well-considered taps, delivered with superhuman, laser-like precision.

The punch was a little over the top - you are 100% correct.

Thanks again.