1911 hammer follow through

B Shipley · July 11, 2000, 10:04 PM

I have a Gold Cup (new version w/o the depressor, etc.) that has had a trigger job and follows through only if the gun is tilted downward from horizontal. This, BTW, is on a live round or snap cap.

What is going on here? The sear looks fine and seems to have the requisite .010 of surface. The hammer hooks appear to be just a bit over .023 as measured against a feeler gauge by eye and fingernail. This isn't enough from what I've read. Is this the real cause? Also have a tiny bit of intermittent creep.

Some additional info is that I have an aluminum trigger, a four finger Clark sear spring, an 18.5# recoil spring (no guide rod), and a reduced power mainspring (Colt green). Additionally, the series 80 parts have been replaced with a shim.

George Stringer · July 12, 2000, 06:50 AM

B, hammer follow is usually the result of tool little sear engagement combined with too heavy a recoil spring. Even a trigger pull as heavy as 4# can have hammer follow eventually if a heavy spring is used. I recommend you have a trigger job done on the pistol. If you don't have anyone near you, feel free to e-mail me. George

BBBBill · July 12, 2000, 11:03 AM

The amount of hammer hook engagement (.023") seems fine. The angle of the sear nose and/or hammer hook may not be correct. It's hard to get it right without a jig. It's also possible that the sear spring doesn't have enough tension & is allowing the trigger to float back as the slide slams home, in effect, pulling itself. This would be corrected by slightly bending the center leg forward to apply more tension/resistance to the disconnector & trigger. Sometimes the left leg of the spring will also need adjustment.

B Shipley · July 12, 2000, 07:06 PM

I paid to have somebody with a jig do the job right. It only does it when nose down 30-45 degrees or more, but this is a real-life angle if reloading, so it must hold, in my book.

Is 18.5# too much spring? I want something that will stand up to +P.

I'll try bending the fingers.

johnwill · July 16, 2000, 12:12 PM

I guess I have to wonder why you don't take the pistol back to the guy that did the trigger job and have him do it correctly. Isn't that the correct option?

B Shipley · July 16, 2000, 10:47 PM

B/C if I can do something this simple, it'll save a drive. If it doesn't work, then I'll make a trip.

johnwill · July 17, 2000, 05:21 PM

IMO, this isn't an area for the untrained to be tinkering with. When I pay for work, I expect it to be done correcty.

Note that I don't always get what I expect...

Jon K · July 23, 2000, 11:27 PM

Try increasing tention on the spring as mentioned eariler in the thread before doing anything else. It may just solve your problem. If it is not 100% after adjusting the spring, get it looked at by a professional. John K

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July 11, 2000, 10:04 PM	#1
B Shipley Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 1998 Posts: 719	I have a Gold Cup (new version w/o the depressor, etc.) that has had a trigger job and follows through only if the gun is tilted downward from horizontal. This, BTW, is on a live round or snap cap. What is going on here? The sear looks fine and seems to have the requisite .010 of surface. The hammer hooks appear to be just a bit over .023 as measured against a feeler gauge by eye and fingernail. This isn't enough from what I've read. Is this the real cause? Also have a tiny bit of intermittent creep. Some additional info is that I have an aluminum trigger, a four finger Clark sear spring, an 18.5# recoil spring (no guide rod), and a reduced power mainspring (Colt green). Additionally, the series 80 parts have been replaced with a shim.

July 12, 2000, 06:50 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	B, hammer follow is usually the result of tool little sear engagement combined with too heavy a recoil spring. Even a trigger pull as heavy as 4# can have hammer follow eventually if a heavy spring is used. I recommend you have a trigger job done on the pistol. If you don't have anyone near you, feel free to e-mail me. George

July 12, 2000, 11:03 AM	#3
BBBBill Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 197	The amount of hammer hook engagement (.023") seems fine. The angle of the sear nose and/or hammer hook may not be correct. It's hard to get it right without a jig. It's also possible that the sear spring doesn't have enough tension & is allowing the trigger to float back as the slide slams home, in effect, pulling itself. This would be corrected by slightly bending the center leg forward to apply more tension/resistance to the disconnector & trigger. Sometimes the left leg of the spring will also need adjustment.

July 12, 2000, 07:06 PM	#4
B Shipley Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 1998 Posts: 719	I paid to have somebody with a jig do the job right. It only does it when nose down 30-45 degrees or more, but this is a real-life angle if reloading, so it must hold, in my book. Is 18.5# too much spring? I want something that will stand up to +P. I'll try bending the fingers.

July 16, 2000, 12:12 PM	#5
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	I guess I have to wonder why you don't take the pistol back to the guy that did the trigger job and have him do it correctly. Isn't that the correct option?

July 16, 2000, 10:47 PM	#6
B Shipley Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 1998 Posts: 719	B/C if I can do something this simple, it'll save a drive. If it doesn't work, then I'll make a trip.

July 17, 2000, 05:21 PM	#7
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	IMO, this isn't an area for the untrained to be tinkering with. When I pay for work, I expect it to be done correcty. Note that I don't always get what I expect...

July 23, 2000, 11:27 PM	#8
Jon K Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Driggs, Idaho Posts: 74	Try increasing tention on the spring as mentioned eariler in the thread before doing anything else. It may just solve your problem. If it is not 100% after adjusting the spring, get it looked at by a professional. John K ------------------ NRA MEMBER? GREAT, NOW JOIN GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA