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Hey I just recently acquired a ruger sr1911 and Im enjoying everything about it so far. The only thing that Id really like to change on it is the trigger(pull). Its not terrible by any means but I know that it could be much better with a little time and knowledge. I know I could take it to a gunsmith and have it reworked but Im the kind of guy who gets satisfaction from doing the work myself. So my question is... Are there any 1911 experts on the site who wouldnt mind showing a 1911 newbie the correct way to recut a 1911 sear and hammer?
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I would get an extra main spring and mess with that first.SA TRP Half rail, Glock 21SF, Spikes St-15, Ruger Alaskan .44, Saiga 7.62, GSSF Member
Diablo Rod & Gun Club
Originally posted by keenkeen -
I would suggest shooting it for awhile first, see if it wears a little and smoothes out.Comment
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Unlike a polymer pistol, you're always a single stroke away from ruining the sear or hammer, or creating an unsafe, full-auto condition. If you must, I would recommend a Warner TR sear fixture, or a Brown. Your one-time investment in the fixture and stones required to complete the one-time job will exceed the cost to have a Gunsmith complete the job correctly.
If you're trying to achieve nothing more than a reduction in pull, learn how to adjust the sear spring. In particular, the center leaf.Comment
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A 1911 is one handgun you should NOT do a DIY trigger job on. I wouldn't let just any gunsmith do it either. Find a gunsmith in your area with many years of expertise on 1911s and have him do it. For a home defense weapon I recommend no lower than 4-4.5lbs."Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else." --FREDERIC BASTIAT--
Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, the Second Amendment Foundation, and the California Rifle & Pistol AssociationComment
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I also like to do my own work. The jig, good files and stones will be a considerable investment. If you're doing this as a learning experience and plan to do more guns, good luck. Be prepared to buy a few spare sears and hammers
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Are you going to do more in the future? By the time you get all the parts and tools you'll have spent more than going to a good 1911 gunsmith to begin with. If you plan on doing more of your own in the future, by all means give it a try.NRA Benefactor Life Member
NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Personal Protection In The Home, Personal Protection Outside The Home Instructor, CA DOJ Certified CCW Instructor, RSO
American Marksman Training Group
Visit our American Marksman Facebook PageComment
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Idea
Not an expert by a long shot, but here are the tools I used:
Have fun, stay safe...Comment
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I'm not an expert, but please function test before live firing. Then do it again.WTS all BNIB: Colt S70 Repro, HK45c, Gen4 G19Comment
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The first time I was shown how to do a trigger job on a stock Colt using a R. Power jig and India stones it seemed simple enough. Each gun would require attention on the relationship of the sear tip and hammer hooks angles for some sears are longer or shorter. Once you cut the correct angle to the sear then the relief/bevel is cut also. Most quality hammers have the hammer hook height just high enough for safety and just need to make sure they are even, then the contact points polished. No need to change the angle. Doing a sub 3 lb trigger pull that is smooth and breaks crisply using the stock parts is not that hard as long as the sear and hammer are made from good steel and are thorough hardened. Rugers should have good hammers and sears on their 1911s. The last thing you want to spend time on are parts that aren't properly thorough hardened. Just an example I did a 2 lb 3 oz trigger job on my Springfield Armory 1911 9mm using all the stock parts except for the mainspring housing internals. I can drop the slide on an empty chamber without pulling the trigger back and no hammer follow. Here's some good info to read up on before deciding on a DIY.
It should be easier for you to learn on your own due to the vast information available in the internet. I learned from a guy that believed any trigger pull less than 3 lbs is unsafe. I thought he was gonna have a heart attack when I told him my goal was sub 2 lb for my USPSA open guns. Just to let you know that top USPSA gunsmiths can do a 1 lb trigger pull on an open class gun and a sub 2 lb on a limited gun. Get sear and hammer hook jig and a medium to ultra fine ceramic or India stones to do the job right.The wise man said just find your place
In the eye of the storm
Seek the roses along the way
Just beware of the thorns... K. MeineComment
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Thanks for all the replies so far and feel free to keep them coming!
I went shooting again today with the gun and the issue isnt the weight, there is just a decent ammount of creep in the trigger and it is suprisingly inconsistant as to when it breaks...Comment
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Find the most expensive 1911 gunsmith you can with the longest waiting list in the country, and send the piece to them for work.
Option B-you take it to a local gunsmith/kitchen table guy who monkeys with the internals at your expense, you pick up the gun, and end up with an unregistered machine pistol. Yes Virginia the NFA applies even to guns with malfunctions.The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.
The more subsidies you have, the less self reliant people will be.
-Lao-Tzu, Tau Te Ching. 479 BCE
The 1911 may have been in wars for 100 years, but Masetro Bartolomeo Beretta was arming the world 400 years before John Browning was ever a wet dream.Comment
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