1911 A1 discharge question

[jagergirll]

So I carry a 1911 A1 at work in a level two holster I had a couple of questions. I was wondering if something hit the firing pin while the hammer was still locked if it would set off the round? I am considering buying a level 3 to protect the firing pin not for retention.

Thanks

[Press Check]

Possible, yes. Probable, no.

Some agencies require a barrier between the hammer and pin to prevent an AD, so the Serpa Level 3 would definitely resolve that issue.

[CC Gunsmithing]

Many holsters for the 1911 have a strap and button closure that covers the firing pin in condition one carry... Why is something that close to your firearm is my question...

[hermosabeach]

The colt 80 series has a firing pin block so that pressure must also be on the trigger.
I guess the next question should be, who made your gun and does it have a firing pin safety / block?

In total, the United States procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols in military contracts during its service life

[CC Gunsmithing]

?

[edwardm]

?

QFT.

[Turbinator]

I guess the next question should be, who made your gun and does it have a firing pin safety / block?

Yup - who made your firearm, OP? And what exact model is it?

Turby

[Chief-7700]

So I carry a 1911 A1 at work in a level two holster I had a couple of questions. I was wondering if something hit the firing pin while the hammer was still locked if it would set off the round? I am considering buying a level 3 to protect the firing pin not for retention.

Thanks

If you need to ask the questions above consider carrying different gun.

[jagergirll]

It's a RIA 1911 A1. I am super comfortable with the gun I was just trying to find out what amount of pressure would be needed to set off a round.

[CC Gunsmithing]

It's not just about the pressure, primers are impact sensitive, meaning you have to whack it pretty hard to get it to go off... Does the holster you carry in have a button closure over the firing pin in condition one?

[Brandon04GT]

Not only that but since 1911's use intertial firing pins, that "something" hitting the back of the firing pin would basically have to be as thin as the firing pin itself for the primer to go off. It would have to strike the back of the firing pin and go slightly through the hole in the firing pin stop.

Anotherwards, if you had your hammer uncocked and you kept pounding the back of the hammer with something, it would be unlikely to set the primer off. The 1911 firing pin is never in contact with the hammer and the round's primer at the exact same time.

[CC Gunsmithing]

what he said, inertial, it's held back by a spring, so something has to fit between the extractor and opposite side of the slide, and strike the pin hard enough to send it forward hard enough to detonate the primer... Again, if the holster is made for a 1911, there should be a strap that covers the firing pin...

[Brandon04GT]

I love 1911s

[CC Gunsmithing]

I'm kinda partial to them myself, Here's one I built...

[Brandon04GT]

Very cool....I don't really have the resources or know-how to build my own yet but hopefully I can not too many years from now.