Weird thing with my 1911....

[Grim]

Once in a while, when I release my slide using the slide stop, the hammer goes to half-cock instead of being fully cocked. It doesn't happen too often, but it still kind of annoys me. And it only happens when I use the slide stop. Anyone know why this is occurring?

[swifty]

Improperly cut sear or hammer angles.

Incorrect depth of sear/hammer engagement.

Improper sear spring tension.

[NiteQwill]

Take it apart and check your sear.

It should NOT be doing that.

[negolien]

Yes little more info please? New eapon or old? Used alot? Sear almost 100% <<<I agree with above poster but details help nail it down for sure eh.

[bombadillo]

Thats one step away from an accidental double tap. I would take that one in to a qualified professional who can check it for you. Its worth it in the long run if its more than a couple hundred dollar gun. I just had an Ed Brown hammer, sear, and some fitting work done a few months ago by Larry Mears in Redding at Old West pawn shop and did a first class job. It is now set at 2 3/4 lbs and so smooth. Cost was under $200 bucks.

[Chief-7700]

Once in a while, when I release my slide using the slide stop, the hammer goes to half-cock instead of being fully cocked. It doesn't happen too often, but it still kind of annoys me. And it only happens when I use the slide stop. Anyone know why this is occurring?

Are you dumping the slide on an empty chamber? Does the hammer go to half cock when reloading from slide lock?

[Q619]

What make is it? Depending on that, you may be able to have it fixed for free. I wouldn't fire it in the meantime. It could potentially get worse and you could end up with a full auto 1911.

[zdragon]

so hammer follows slide to half cock when you release slide stop.
Are you dropping slide with a loaded magazine or w/o magazine inserted?
Try to avoid dropping slide on an empty chamber with 1911s.

[FeuerFrei]

My best guess is a improperly set sear spring.
Gun smith with 1911 know how will cure this w/no problems.
You could swap for new one though. Or warranty.
Good luck.

[Mikeb]

so hammer follows slide to half cock when you release slide stop.
Are you dropping slide with a loaded magazine or w/o magazine inserted?
Try to avoid dropping slide on an empty chamber with 1911s.

You are correct that the slide should not be dropped on an empty pistol, but it is the last step of a trigger job. It shouldn't be done for fun or just because but it should be done when you mess with springs or sear engagement . It is a test and indicates that the sear will hold. If it fails the test it needs to be looked at.
take care
Mike

[fonzy]

Sounds like the sear engagement on the hammer might be gone. When the hammer drops to half cock it's a safety feature to prevent it the hammer from dropping all the way. So the hammer is getting caught on the second notch. Does your sear have the correct angle? Did you put a new trigger in it? How's the spring did anyone bend it? Once he starts to shoot it I imagine he'll have hammer follow. We need more info.

[Grim]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll get it checked out at a gunsmith. I was using dummy rounds and dropped the slide on empty chambers quite a few times. Didn't realize I wasn't supposed to do that.

[JETLAG]

I will give you $100 for it and you dont have to worry anymore

[calishine]

Sounds like a phenom with 1911's called trigger bounce. Like others have said, get it fixed, as it is definitely not normal or safe.

The half-cock is there as safety feature in case the hammer follows, which in your case it does.

The good news is that it is very fixable. As others have also mentioned, it is a bad idea on many different levels to slam a slide shut on an empty chamber on a 1911. Good luck!

[bucktooth7]

so are you saying that dry firing a 1911 is bad?