1911 hammer won't stay cocked

johnblackstone · October 8, 2002, 09:12 AM

Now I REALLY did it. Thoroughly disassembled the .45 Rock Island Armory 1911 for a good cleaning.

Got it all reassembled, and now the hammer will not stay fully cocked. It comes all the way forward. It does it if I manually cock the hammer or rack the slide.

Any ideas what I have done?

I took my dad's 7hp fishing motor apart when I was 9, and nver got that put back together either.

thanks!

**4V50 Gary** · October 8, 2002, 11:22 AM

Improper reassembly. Do it again.

Sear isn't engaging hammer or spring isn't resting on sear properly. Try the spring first. It should be behind and not in front of the sear.

C.R.Sam · October 8, 2002, 01:28 PM

I'm with Gary...
Betcha tis the spring.
Make sure you haven't distorted it while you are in there.

Sam

HankL · October 8, 2002, 07:21 PM

Quote:

took my dad's 7hp fishing motor apart when I was 9, and nver got that put back together either

Mayhaps you shunna take stuff apart.

Jim V · October 8, 2002, 07:39 PM

Look at:

M1911.ORG
or
Sight's M1911

for disassembly and reassembly isntructions.

johnblackstone · October 9, 2002, 04:14 PM

Hank, I think you're right.....shunna done that

But isn't it genetically inherent for boys to take stuff apart? Admit it!

Thanks, guys, for the rest of the helpful info.

John

HankL · October 9, 2002, 07:31 PM

John, Sorry, I just had to.

I'll be willing to bet on the sear spring suggestion. Get a set of Jerry Kuhnhausen's shop manuals for the 1911 and have fun learning all about your pistol.

BTW My dad's buddy gave me a 1 hp outboard that had not run since he was a kid when I was around 11. After I got it running I was allowed to tinker some.

Best Regards,

Hank Lampe

October 8, 2002, 09:12 AM	#1
johnblackstone Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: arlington, TX USA Posts: 59	1911 hammer won't stay cocked Now I REALLY did it. Thoroughly disassembled the .45 Rock Island Armory 1911 for a good cleaning. Got it all reassembled, and now the hammer will not stay fully cocked. It comes all the way forward. It does it if I manually cock the hammer or rack the slide. Any ideas what I have done? I took my dad's 7hp fishing motor apart when I was 9, and nver got that put back together either. thanks!

October 8, 2002, 11:22 AM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	Improper reassembly. Do it again. Sear isn't engaging hammer or spring isn't resting on sear properly. Try the spring first. It should be behind and not in front of the sear. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 8, 2002, 01:28 PM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	I'm with Gary... Betcha tis the spring. Make sure you haven't distorted it while you are in there. Sam

October 8, 2002, 07:39 PM	#5
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Look at: M1911.ORG or Sight's M1911 for disassembly and reassembly isntructions.

October 9, 2002, 04:14 PM	#6
johnblackstone Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: arlington, TX USA Posts: 59	Hank, I think you're right.....shunna done that But isn't it genetically inherent for boys to take stuff apart? Admit it! Thanks, guys, for the rest of the helpful info. John

October 9, 2002, 07:31 PM	#7
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	John, Sorry, I just had to. I'll be willing to bet on the sear spring suggestion. Get a set of Jerry Kuhnhausen's shop manuals for the 1911 and have fun learning all about your pistol. BTW My dad's buddy gave me a 1 hp outboard that had not run since he was a kid when I was around 11. After I got it running I was allowed to tinker some. Best Regards, Hank Lampe