Fitting a Hi-Power sear

AlonzoMosely · August 29, 2010, 06:24 AM

I got the Cylinder & Slide commander-style hammer and CNC sear for my Mark III BHP. When I install the new sear, the safety cannot be engaged. The safety is blocked from moving up behind the sear and locking it in place. I assume that the sear is intentionally over-sized to allow for fitting, but it is not obvious to me where I should stone the lower right 'extension' of the sear that contacts the safety. Thanks for any help. (And, lest anyone is concerned, this is not a carry or self-defense gun, I got it purely for tinkering to learn how the BHP works.)

**Unclenick** · August 29, 2010, 05:26 PM

In the 1911 new thumb safeties always have to be stoned down to tuck in behind the sear foot. I assume the same is so with the BHP, though I've never had to work on one. Compare your new sear with the old one to see the differences. You may have thicker feet or a longer nose on the new sear, ether one of which can result in the rear surface of the feet parking further to the rear. If your new hammer's hook flat is at a slightly longer radius from the hammer pin than the original, that would do it too. In any event, whittling the thumb safety extension where it is supposed to block the sear is likely to be the easiest route to function.

AlonzoMosely · August 29, 2010, 05:38 PM

Thanks Unclenick. It's not the hammer, because when I put the old sear in with the new hammer, the safety functions. I tried comparing the old sear with the new sear, and I'm having a very hard time discerning where the difference is because the old sear is cast and has curves where the new sear has sharp angles, so it is not really an apples to apples comparison in finding the difference that affects safety engagement. I basically just don't know where to whittle on the new sear and thought I would inquire before doing much experimenting on it.

**Unclenick** · August 31, 2010, 12:13 PM

You may be able to see where the safety blocks the sear by leaving the hammer out and just pushing the sear to normal cocked position with a stick and operating the safety. At that point you whittle either the sear of the safety where they meet.

August 29, 2010, 06:24 AM	#1
AlonzoMosely Member Join Date: May 14, 2002 Posts: 31	Fitting a Hi-Power sear I got the Cylinder & Slide commander-style hammer and CNC sear for my Mark III BHP. When I install the new sear, the safety cannot be engaged. The safety is blocked from moving up behind the sear and locking it in place. I assume that the sear is intentionally over-sized to allow for fitting, but it is not obvious to me where I should stone the lower right 'extension' of the sear that contacts the safety. Thanks for any help. (And, lest anyone is concerned, this is not a carry or self-defense gun, I got it purely for tinkering to learn how the BHP works.)

August 29, 2010, 05:26 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	In the 1911 new thumb safeties always have to be stoned down to tuck in behind the sear foot. I assume the same is so with the BHP, though I've never had to work on one. Compare your new sear with the old one to see the differences. You may have thicker feet or a longer nose on the new sear, ether one of which can result in the rear surface of the feet parking further to the rear. If your new hammer's hook flat is at a slightly longer radius from the hammer pin than the original, that would do it too. In any event, whittling the thumb safety extension where it is supposed to block the sear is likely to be the easiest route to function. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 31, 2010, 12:13 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You may be able to see where the safety blocks the sear by leaving the hammer out and just pushing the sear to normal cocked position with a stick and operating the safety. At that point you whittle either the sear of the safety where they meet. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 29, 2010, 05:38 PM	#3
AlonzoMosely Member Join Date: May 14, 2002 Posts: 31	Thanks Unclenick. It's not the hammer, because when I put the old sear in with the new hammer, the safety functions. I tried comparing the old sear with the new sear, and I'm having a very hard time discerning where the difference is because the old sear is cast and has curves where the new sear has sharp angles, so it is not really an apples to apples comparison in finding the difference that affects safety engagement. I basically just don't know where to whittle on the new sear and thought I would inquire before doing much experimenting on it.