Posted: 12/31/2013 12:21:57 PM EDT
|
I recently graduated from college, and as a graduation present, my dad got me a 1911. It's a Wilson Combat frame and slide, with Wilson Combat internal, put together by Novak. Had it for about a year, shoots fantastically.
Took it apart to clean it, and when I put it back together, I function checked it by putting a magazine in it with a snap cap, pulling the slide back, hitting the slide release, and the squeezing the trigger. When I hit the slide release, the hammer fell to half cook. Tried it again, same thing. Didn't use the slide release, slingshoted the slide, same thing. Whenever I release the slide, unless I ride it forward, the hammer drops. I only field stripped it, so it's not like I was screwing with the disconnector or sear, which should be holding the her back, right? This is my first major issue with this pistol, so first off, what's going on? Is the firearm still safe to shoot and carry for CCW, and how do I fix it? |
|
Sounds as if the sear spring has lost a bit of tension. Order a Wilson, Colt, Brown or what ever brand you prefer.
I have a Novak built Colt........damn fine pistol. **Missed half your questions....... I would remove the main spring housing, grip safety and pull out the main spring. Adjust the sear spring by bending it forward a bit. Reassemble and try the slide drop again |
|
If you weren't pulling the trigger when you dropped the slide, it's probably just a little bounce issue. I'd tweak the sear spring just a little. If you were not pulling the trigger, the middle leaf would be the one to tweak, If you had the trigger depressed when the hammer followed, the left leaf would be the answer. Middle controls disconnector/trigger tension and left controls sear tension.
Since it's Novak's we're talking about, there is approximately a 0% chance they didn't make sure the sear engagement was proper, so it's probably just a spring issue. But if not, call them up because they'll fix it for you. Another +1 here on Novak-built guns being fantastic. Mine is my go-to .45. |
Detail stripped my pistol this afternoon, which was terrifying  Got everything taken apart, bent the sear spring like you guys suggested, dropped the slide, and the hammer stayed back.
Thanks! Everything seems to be working, and I learned that detail stripping a 1911 is not nearly as hard as I thought it was. |
|
Quoted:
Detail stripped my pistol this afternoon, which was terrifying Got everything taken apart, bent the sear spring like you guys suggested, dropped the slide, and the hammer stayed back.
Thanks! Everything seems to be working, and I learned that detail stripping a 1911 is not nearly as hard as I thought it was. I felt the same way the first time I did it. But it's one of the best ways to keep learning about the weapon. A whole lot of people couldn't do any more than field strip it if their lives depended on it, so you're now part of the real enthusiasts' club 
BTW, OP, any chance I could bother you for a pic of that awesome sounding 1911? |