Dropping the hammer on a 1911 frame

[Schreck]

I recently purchased a Colt XSE. This is the first 1911 style handgun I have owned. While cleaning it after a recent range trip, I dropped the hammer when the slide was removed. The owner's manual says this may damage the gun. I called Colt to ask what I may have damaged, but they only said take the gun shooting again, and if it functions correctly, no damage occured. I am just curious about exactly what I may have done to my handgun and what part in particular I may have damaged. Long time lurker, first time poster.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[Onmilo]

Dropping the hammer on the back of the receiver once or twice isn't going to damage anything unless you have a seriously cheap casting.

Using the lower receiver as a buckaroo ranger snap toy will break something though.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

There's been a number of discussions on this topic in the GUNSMITHING area. Get the details there from folks who really know 1911s.

 

[HSMITH]

I've seen a hammer break from this before, was a GI spur hammer too, not some of the cheap castings or MIM being used these days. Other than the hammer breaking the only other thing I see is the back of the frame getting beat up or an overly hard hammer pin breaking.

I think this is something that has happened to all of us at one time or another, just try not to do it again and don't worry about it.

 

[Old Fuff]

I am sure your one time occurance didn't hurt anything. Repeatedly doing this could batter the frame or break the hammer, but you'd have to work at it.

Battering the frame could cause a condition where the slide would wedge and stick, but again - I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just be more careful next time.

 

[Schreck]

Thanks for the reassurance guys. I will be much more careful in the future.

 

[nrmcolt]

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I'll add, "KEEP THE FRIGGIN' TRIGGER FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER NEXT TIME!"

Regards