1911 problem

[MAURICE]

Hi all,
A friend of mine recently bought a used STI 1911 from a local shop. The gun looks pretty good and the action is smooth as silk. When we were headed out to the range last week he handed it to me to look at. While checking the pistol to make sure it was not loaded I noticed the firing pin protruding from the breech face. I brought it to his attention and told him I would strip the weapon down and take a look at it (since he is new to 1911s). I took the weapon apart and found the firing pin channel dirty. Once I worked the pin out I found rust on the pin. I cleaned out the channel and knocked the rust off of the firing pin with a little bit of polishing compound. Only problem now is that when you drop the hammer the firing pin still likes to get stuck in the forward position. I don't have my snap caps handy (in the process of moving) and in <b>no</b> way do I trust it enough to try live ammo.

I'm going to give it back to him and tell him to have a gunsmith look at it, but I wanted to see what kind of recommendations you fine folks have first. Any ideas?

Thanks
Maurice

 

[Jason_G]

If there was rust on the pin, there's rust in the FP channel as well. Chances are a good cleaning would fix it, but I would definitely visit a smith just to be on the safe side. I wouldn't shoot it until I paid him a visit either.

Jason

 

[HM2PAC]

I wouldn't shoot it yet either. Having a smith take a look is a good idea.

 

[Morgan]

Clean any rust out of the firing pin channel. Replace the FP. Replace the FP spring.

 

[Dobe]

You didn't say anythng about removing or cleaning the FP spring. It almost sounds as though there is no FP spring, or it is corroded inside the channel.

 

[MAURICE]

Thanks for all the replies guys. He is actually taking his concealed carry class tomorrow, so I will loan him my Glock for that (he is familiar with Glocks, so no worries).

Dobe, You are correct. I did not mention the FP spring. It is there and looked like it was in good shape, though I probably just didn't notice any rust or damage. I will take another look at it and double check it. I have a gunsmith I am going to recommend to him and have him get it squared away.

Thanks again.
Maurice