1911 failure to fire

coolcruiser · March 22, 2005, 01:29 PM

My 1911 homebuilt was working fine except that the grip safety didn't function solidly. I built up the tang with weld and dressed the tang to engage the trigger...also installed a Pachmyer trigger. Here's my problem...the first round shoots fine, the second round loads, sets the sear and the hammer is fully back...pull the trigger-nothing- except trigger movement. The grip safety feels like it needs a little dressing...there is some gritiness. All safety and dry fire function checks are good....any suggestions?
Thanks
Coolcruiser

1911Tuner · March 22, 2005, 02:35 PM

Sounds like the disconnect isn't resetting. Check to see if it's binding in the channel, or increase the tension on the center leaf of the sear spring.

Try this:

Duplicate the sequence with a dummy or a snap cap on the second round. Remove the slide and see if the hammer will fall. Don't let it snap...Guide it forward. If the hammer falls, you probably need to scrape the slot in the slide a little deeper. If you hear a distinct "Click" when you release the trigger, that's also a clue that the slot needs to be a little deeper. Do NOT
file or stone the top of the disconnect.

If it doesn't reset with the slide off, check for gunk in the channel or insufficient tension on the center leg of the sear spring. Also possible that the trigger is getting it into a bind...but not as likely as the other stuff.
Polish the face of the disconnect and the trigger stirrup smooth. If you have to polish the top part of the disconnect that rides in the channel...remove as little as possible from the front. Don't touch the tip...the part that rides on the rail in the slide.

Dave Sample · March 22, 2005, 07:55 PM

There triggers have a very beefy stirrup. Relieve the upper right corner of the stirrup. A little at a time please.

Dave Sample · March 22, 2005, 09:00 PM

Tuner and his buddies are busy throwing rocks at me on a forum that I am not allowed to respond on.
I will turn this over to him and the other Anonymous Internet Experts. I am sure that he is the all knowing one here, too.

Romulus · March 22, 2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

I am sure that he is the all knowing one here, too.

This is just plain bitchiness.

Handy · March 23, 2005, 03:26 PM

But true.

Since we have several smart people about 1911s on this forum, I am unsure why 1911tuner feels he needs to bring his particular brand of "help" here, especially with him so busy beautifying THR's smith forum with his "moderation".

Romulus · March 23, 2005, 03:37 PM

He's got info to offer and it's up to us to accept it or not...it doesn't justify Dave Sample's petty obsession with him

Handy · March 23, 2005, 03:53 PM

If you want to read "petty obsessions", try some of the other boards he mentioned.

This goes both ways.

1911Tuner · March 23, 2005, 04:10 PM

I guess that's whatcha get for tryin' to answer a simple question...

Anyways...Sounds like the disconnector didn't reset. Probably a weak sear spring or interference in the channel. It's usually somethin' simple...

Cheers...

Dave Sample · March 23, 2005, 06:34 PM

Handy: I like to do all things in Moderation. One cigar at a time, one drink at a time, one woman at a time, drive one car at a time..................... shoot two guns at a time..........Thanks for the comments I dare not make since I am on my Last Chance here.

Acorn · March 23, 2005, 06:45 PM

Dang it Tuner! There you go trying to help somebody in need. How inconsiderate.

Tamara · March 24, 2005, 08:32 AM

Closed for Excessive Detriment to TFL's Signal-To-Noise Ratio.

March 22, 2005, 01:29 PM	#1
coolcruiser Junior Member Join Date: March 22, 2005 Posts: 3	1911 failure to fire My 1911 homebuilt was working fine except that the grip safety didn't function solidly. I built up the tang with weld and dressed the tang to engage the trigger...also installed a Pachmyer trigger. Here's my problem...the first round shoots fine, the second round loads, sets the sear and the hammer is fully back...pull the trigger-nothing- except trigger movement. The grip safety feels like it needs a little dressing...there is some gritiness. All safety and dry fire function checks are good....any suggestions? Thanks Coolcruiser

March 22, 2005, 02:35 PM	#2
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 666	Ftf Sounds like the disconnect isn't resetting. Check to see if it's binding in the channel, or increase the tension on the center leaf of the sear spring. Try this: Duplicate the sequence with a dummy or a snap cap on the second round. Remove the slide and see if the hammer will fall. Don't let it snap...Guide it forward. If the hammer falls, you probably need to scrape the slot in the slide a little deeper. If you hear a distinct "Click" when you release the trigger, that's also a clue that the slot needs to be a little deeper. Do NOT file or stone the top of the disconnect. If it doesn't reset with the slide off, check for gunk in the channel or insufficient tension on the center leg of the sear spring. Also possible that the trigger is getting it into a bind...but not as likely as the other stuff. Polish the face of the disconnect and the trigger stirrup smooth. If you have to polish the top part of the disconnect that rides in the channel...remove as little as possible from the front. Don't touch the tip...the part that rides on the rail in the slide. __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

March 23, 2005, 03:37 PM	#7
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	He's got info to offer and it's up to us to accept it or not...it doesn't justify Dave Sample's petty obsession with him __________________ I knew Thomas Jefferson, he was a friend of mine...Governor Clinton, you're no Thomas Jefferson Ti faccio vedere come muore un italiano

March 23, 2005, 04:10 PM	#9
1911Tuner Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills Posts: 666	Well, gawrsh! I guess that's whatcha get for tryin' to answer a simple question... Anyways...Sounds like the disconnector didn't reset. Probably a weak sear spring or interference in the channel. It's usually somethin' simple... Cheers... __________________ If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck

March 22, 2005, 07:55 PM	#3
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	There triggers have a very beefy stirrup. Relieve the upper right corner of the stirrup. A little at a time please.

March 22, 2005, 09:00 PM	#4
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Tuner and his buddies are busy throwing rocks at me on a forum that I am not allowed to respond on. I will turn this over to him and the other Anonymous Internet Experts. I am sure that he is the all knowing one here, too.

March 23, 2005, 03:26 PM	#6
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	But true. Since we have several smart people about 1911s on this forum, I am unsure why 1911tuner feels he needs to bring his particular brand of "help" here, especially with him so busy beautifying THR's smith forum with his "moderation".

March 23, 2005, 03:53 PM	#8
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	If you want to read "petty obsessions", try some of the other boards he mentioned. This goes both ways.

March 23, 2005, 06:34 PM	#10
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Handy: I like to do all things in Moderation. One cigar at a time, one drink at a time, one woman at a time, drive one car at a time..................... shoot two guns at a time..........Thanks for the comments I dare not make since I am on my Last Chance here.

March 23, 2005, 06:45 PM	#11
Acorn Junior Member Join Date: June 24, 2004 Posts: 7	Dang it Tuner! There you go trying to help somebody in need. How inconsiderate.

March 24, 2005, 08:32 AM	#12
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Closed for Excessive Detriment to TFL's Signal-To-Noise Ratio.