1911 Hammer

[austinco2]

I am new to the 1911. What is the Purpose on the first click on the hammer of a 1911? It seems that it is a sort of safty because you can't turn on the actual safety and you can't pull the trigger. Is it to keep the hammer off of the firing pin? Thanks for helping to fill the void between my ears.

 

[mr.mafia]

the first click is called a half cock it it a safty that comes from the old flint lock rifles & pistols. it is were the term don't go off half cocked came from. the half cock come on alot of those older pistols and rifles.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It is a half cock (pre Series 80) or a safety stop (series 80) notch. If something other than pulling the trigger should cause the hammer to fall (e.g., a mechanical failure), the hammer will stop on the notch before it can hit the firing pin and fire the gun.