Safty Issue with 1911

[jestraba]

Ok, here's the problem I noticed today, while tinkering with my gun, I decided to test the saftey. Making sure the gun was unloaded I pulled the hammer back and engaged the safety. Next I pulled the trigger, there is a small click like the sear is disengaging partically, then I pulled the trigger several more times and eventually the hammer falls and the saftey drops off to the disengaged position. I removed the saftey and noticed that there is a small amount of wear on the lower leading(front) corner of the safety. The sear looks as though it is in perfect condition. But I am not sure how the safety actually works. I assume that it blocks the disconnectory or sear from being moved off the hammer, also from examing it I assume it is supose to block the hammer, am I correct?

The question: Is it your opinion or from your knowledge can this be fixed by fitting a new safety to the gun?

 

[1911Tuner]

Safety

Hi Jestraba,

The thumb safety blocks the sear, and it sounds like yours isn't. A new safety, correctly fitted...will fix the problem. A smith may be able to refit your old one by peening the portion of the lug that bears against the sear pad, and refitting it. This is usually what I do for a slight problem, but if the lug is too far off the sear block, it requires a new safety, and I've seen a few that even require a new sear.

Meanwhile...the gun is okay to shoot, but not safe to carry in Condition One.
Just don't leave a round in the chamber and trust the safety to prevent a discharge.

Hope this helps.

 

[stans]

Tuner beat me to it! He is right about the safety.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The question is, whether or not the gun is worth repairing. Just what type of 1911 is it?

 

[stans]

Soft metal thumb safety? Probably a Kimber.

Some of their slide stops, including the one in mine, are soft.

 

[BluesBear]

I can't imagine ANY .45 semi-auto that has a hammer and a thumb safety that would not be worth fixing if the only problem with it was the thumb safety.

 

[Old Fuff]

The Old Fuff is a safety-peener from way back, and would observe that while USGI and similar "real steel" safeties lend themselves to this procedure some of the new ones that are cast or MIM may not, as the lugs are either too hard, or brittle. In particular I wouldn't trust a slintered metal (read that "MIM") part that had been peened because I'd expect the raised corner might fracture and fall off leaving a completely disabled safety. If one's pistol has a new-technology safety it would be better to replace it.