<1911> Hammer won't stay locked back, Sear spring placement??

Edward T. Shen

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Oct 20, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/20/96

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Hi folks,

I was working on my springfield and trying to change my mainspring
housing to a checkered one. When reinstalling my pistol back
together, I put everything back the way I thought I should of. Now
the hammer won't stay locked back. It will want to fall back on the
firing pin stop when I cock it back. Did I do something wrong? I
must have, but I don't know what. I think it has something to do with
the positioning of the sear spring. Anyone out here know a quick fix?
If so, please mail me directly: ed...@uclink.berkeley.edu

Thanks a lot.

Dick Wells

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Oct 21, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/21/96

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You have to be very careful that the left arm of the spring sits on top of
the sear. put it into position then slide the mainspring housing on far
enough to hold the spring in position. Then install the grip safety and
safety. This should get you through it ok.

RW

Keith Whaley

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Oct 21, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/21/96

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Edward T. Shen wrote:
#
# Hi folks,
#
# I was working on my springfield and trying to change my mainspring
# housing to a checkered one. When reinstalling my pistol back
# together, I put everything back the way I thought I should of. Now
# the hammer won't stay locked back. It will want to fall back on the
# firing pin stop when I cock it back. Did I do something wrong? I
# must have, but I don't know what. I think it has something to do with
# the positioning of the sear spring. Anyone out here know a quick fix?
# If so, please mail me directly: ed...@uclink.berkeley.edu
#
# Thanks a lot.

Why do you want a "quick fix?"The quickest fix is to take it to your local
'smith.

Barring that, if you can find one, get a copy of the NRA's Disassembly Guide
for pistol and revolvers. Pay very careful attention to the relationship of
the sear and disconnector when installing, as well as the position of the
fingers of the leaf spring that goes in just before you put the hammer
spring housing in place.
If you don't actually KNOW how it is supposed to look, you cannot be
expected to have it be correct when you re-assemble it.

Be safe,

keith <== gunsmith/owner, WHALEY's, Los Angeles

Mike Rosenborg

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Oct 22, 1996, 3:00:00 AM10/22/96

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The sear is supposed to bear against the hammer by the action of the
sear spring; it enters the full cock notch of the hammer and holds it
in the cocked position. Thus, you're probably correct in that there
may be incorrect positioning of the sear spring. "The sear spring
must rest in its recess in the rear of the receiver and the long leaf
must rest on the sear." (FM 23-35, _Pistols and Revolvers_, July
1960, p.20.)

Regards,

Mike Rosenborg

On 20 Oct 1996 21:53:03 -0400, Edward T. Shen
(ed...@uclink.berkeley.edu (Edward T. Shen)) wrote (in
<54el1v$5...@xring.cs.umd.edu>):

#Hi folks,

#I was working on my springfield and trying to change my mainspring
#housing to a checkered one. When reinstalling my pistol back
#together, I put everything back the way I thought I should of. Now
#the hammer won't stay locked back. It will want to fall back on the
#firing pin stop when I cock it back. Did I do something wrong? I
#must have, but I don't know what. I think it has something to do with
#the positioning of the sear spring. Anyone out here know a quick fix?
#If so, please mail me directly: ed...@uclink.berkeley.edu

#Thanks a lot.