hammer bite?

[Burnout]

[GunDog]

I remember back in the 70's before beavertail grip safeties became popular I was always getting the web of my hand chewed up by the hammer of my Colt .45 auto. Eventually it calloused up and I was quite proud of it; wore it like a badge of honor so to speak. Other shooters would see it and know that I shot a .45. Nowadays all my .45's sport beavertails and they are much more comfortable to shoot.

[PatriotnMore]

You can use a power grip, where if you are right handed the left thumb locks over the right thumb, and keeps the gun from coming back and biting you.

[Burnout]

You can use a power grip, where if you are right handed the left thumb locks over the right thumb, and keeps the gun from coming back and biting you.

not clear, got a pic?

[PatriotnMore]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/HGcombatg_100206B.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/combatg_100306/index1.html&usg=__e6iT-v1_QRpIr7rpOUaJV_2amCk=&h=244&w=420&sz=26&hl=en&start=22&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=859R6o-rTeBhPM:&tbnh=73&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlocking%2Bthumb%2Bgrip%2Bhandgun%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1

[Burnout]

thanks, will try it out.

[barrym66]

....Eventually it calloused up and I was quite proud of it; wore it like a badge of honor so to speak.

BTDT.... I have added beavertails where possible as I have 'fleshy' hands. Tough to avoid getting bitten, esp. if you are trying for a high grip...I've now got a pretty big scar/callous as well but still occasionally get bitten.

Not sure how well it shows up in this pic...

[9mmepiphany]

rather than use a less efficient grip, i'd recommend just grinding the hammer spur a little shorter...or you could go whole hog and change out the hammer to a commander style and add a beavertail grip safety

[f33dback]

Hey no offense meant here, but why do you guys put up with 1911's? They seem to need constant maintenance and then there's "hammer bite", they are large (yes I know there are smaller models), over priced, and I keep seeing negative comments on their reliability due to the above.
I've felt the trigger, it's nice, they are pretty but it seems like you have to put up with a lot with these hot house flowers.
Educate me.

[nickvig]

I don't understand how this happens to people. I have a 1991 and the hammer doesn't come close to touching the web of my thumb and first finger when it's cocked back. Take a pic of your grip, I'm interested to see how you grip the gun and what is causing the hammer bite.

[barrym66]

Hey no offense meant here, but why do you guys put up with 1911's? They seem to need constant maintenance and then there's "hammer bite", they are large (yes I know there are smaller models), over priced, and I keep seeing negative comments on their reliability due to the above.
I've felt the trigger, it's nice, they are pretty but it seems like you have to put up with a lot with these hot house flowers.
Educate me.

Take this with a grain of salt as I'm primarily a Glock shooter (G35/G22/G34)...but I really, really like the superior feel and ergonomics of the basic 1911A1 design...and they are far sexier than the polymer guns.

If I could afford the $6K+ it would take to replace the 3 Glocks I now shoot (for Limited 10, Production, and Open classes) with CA-rostered, comp quality 1911's... I'd switch in a minute.

Agreed however that they tend not to be as reliable and are a LOT more maintenance and tuning sensitive than Glocks, XD's, etc.. Every class I've attended has had a few 1911's fail, but I've yet to see a Glock stop running unless the shooter does something stupid (like loading 9's in a 40...no, not me!).

But I still roll out my Colt and Springfield 1911's occasionally...and I also get the "Glock slide cut" if I'm not as careful with my grip on the production Glock's as I am when shooting the 1911 with hammer bite.

YMMV....

[f33dback]

Yes a gentleman at a gun store (to remain unnamed) dropped a $2500 1911 into my hand and it felt great, much better than my Glock 21 SF, at 5 times the price.
He spent 45 minutes of his time trying to convince me to buy a 1911.
I'll stick with the gun that can do this: http://www.theprepared.com/index.php...ask=view&id=90

Off topic as usual but thanks for your input.

[9mmepiphany]

I've felt the trigger, it's nice, they are pretty but it seems like you have to put up with a lot with these hot house flowers.
Educate me.

it's a lot like owning a Porsche 911, more practical than a Prancing Horse or Lambo...but so much more soul than a Camry or Accord

I'll stick with the gun that can do this:

it did...just in 1910

[Voo]

Yea, this has to be one of the biggest fails on the 1911.. Hammer bite.. So many people have experienced it... I know it's not something that is going to stop anyone from shooting if a badguy was RIGHT there.. But using it to practice on a weekly basis, or giving a non-beavertailed 1911 to a new shooter is not something I see as desirable..

As for altering my "master" grip.. I'd rather not compromise as it works extremely well on every other pistol platform I've ever come across.. It's a horrible selling point to say you need a "special" or "modified" grip to avoid getting scraped up while shooting a gun.. The gun has a bad design feature is all.. It's easily remedied with a bobbed hammer or beavertail..

Now, before some of the 1911' afficionados go and get their pitchforks and torches, Im not bashing the 1911.. Im simply pointing out that it has a flaw or two.. I absolutely love the platform.. I have several Ponies myself.. It's just that Im simply being objective about some of it's weaker points..

To be fair, I really cant' think of a better 'feeling" gun when the grip is hi-cut beneath the triggerguard, 30LPI'ed along the front strap and combined with a flat MSH..

[JTROKS]

A commander style hammer and a beavertail and all is solved. The reason for 1911s is, because they are about the best platform to build on a very accurate pistol. Aftermarket parts are everywhere with all sorts of manufacturers and flavor. Just go to an USPSA club match and you'll see what pistols rule the top bracket.