1911 disconnector is sticky...

original: forum.m1911.org
Retrieved: December 10, 2011
Last Post: April 07, 2008

Pappy
27th March 2008

Because of a double burst fire, I took a look at the disconnecter.

With slide off, I can push it in below flush and it stays there.

Pulling the trigger, it will pop up proud of the frame.

My other 1911s will not stick down.

Perhaps, I hope, bending the center leaf forward will put more pressure on the sear.


1911Tuner
27th March 2008

First... The disconnect should reset after being pushed down unless the trigger is held rearward. If it stays in the frame with the trigger forward... something is wrong.

Second... The disconnect should not reset when the trigger is pulled. It should reset when the trigger is released.

Third... The left leg of the sear spring applies tension to the sear. The center leg applies tension to the disconnect and trigger.

If the center leg of the sear spring contacts the disconnect too low on the triangle... it can cause burst fire. Too high, and the disconnect may not reset reliably, and the hammer either won't fall, or it falls to half-cock when the trigger is pulled.

If the sear isn't resetting fully into the hammer, and barely catching the tips of the hammer hooks... it can let the hammer jar off when the slide goes to battery. Most of the time, the half-cock stops it... but sometimes it doesn't.


Pappy
27th March 2008

The pistol had been running fine till yesterday.

I pulled the slide and noticed crud in the disconnect hole and cleaned and oiled that area.

If something is mechanically wrong, it's a trip back to the factory.

I was hoping I could fix myself, but, hesitant to take out trigger mechanism.

So, bending the spring leg is not the option??


1911Tuner
27th March 2008

Sounds like it needs a good scrubbin' Pappy. Detail strip it and scrub!


Pappy
27th March 2008

I'll pull the MSH and spring tomorrow. I will not go further (read trigger etc.) but will blast with brake cleaner and re-oil.

Just noted;

If I push the pin to just flush with the frame, it will pop up.

If I push below flush, then it sticks...


1911Tuner
27th March 2008

Quote:
I'll pull the MSH and spring tomorrow. I will not go further

Aw, c'mon Pappy! If ya take it down that far, ya might as well finish it.

Just be sure to look at how the parts orient so you can get it back together quicker.

If it's a Seriwes 80 Colt or a clone of same... the trigger lever can get tedious... but that's about as bad as it gets.


Pappy
27th March 2008

It's a NH and blasting with the brake cleaner, hopefully, will do it.

Triggers, after all the weeping and wailing I see here about reassembling triggers, I am hesitant.


torrejon224
27th March 2008

Gotta learn to do it sooner or later! Seriously the first time is more of a mental challenge but once you do you'll be tearing it down after every range session. Can't go wrong with all the great illustrations and help from the folks on this site! I was scared to death 1st time but now it's a piece of cake!


Pappy
28th March 2008

Quote:
Gotta learn to do it sooner or later!! Seriouslly the first time is more of a mental challenge but once you do you'll be tearing it down after every range session. Can't go wrong with all the great illustrations and help from the folks on this site! I was scared to death 1st time but now it's a piece of cake!

Thanks for the encouragement.

The pistol is very new and I don't wish to be taking the trigger apart. I can't imagine anything is broken, but crud, is, hopefully the culprit.

Later today, when the sun is out, I'll study the assy. in good light.

NH will issue a shipping label to send back.


Pappy
28th March 2008

Update.

I believe its the sear spring.

Pushing the disconnect tip below flush causes the bottom area to escape the spring tension. Pulling the trigger resets the disconnect.

Swapping the sear springs between pistols and the problem goes with the spring.

Looking at the two springs, the only difference is the 'bad' leaf is a tad longer than the good spring.

I guess a new spring is in order...


1911Tuner
28th March 2008

Quote:
the only difference is the 'bad' leaf is a tad longer than the good spring.

Yup. The end of that leaf has to hit the disconnect at the right place, or it'll cause problems.

Why not just shorten the leaf?

You're still gonna do the detail strip... Right?


Cap
28th March 2008

Quote:
Why not just shorten the leaf?

yea, maybe on a $400 RIA or Springer GI

But for $2500+ beans, they outta send a little fella out there with a new spring AND a box of Andes chocolate mints


John
29th March 2008

Don't rush and blame NH for this. The disconnector will never move below its hole in normal operation. Pappy reports that the problem occurs when he pushes the disco further down than its hole.


Pappy
29th March 2008

Shorten the leaf... Of course! And if I mess up, springs are free from NH or cheap on the open market...

I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel...

Detail strip the trigger assembly?


Pappy
30th March 2008

Last update, I hope!

Careful measuring showed that the 'bad' middle leaf was "0.037" longer than the 'good' leaf of the sear spring which worked fine.

So, I began to stone down the leaf by 5 thou and checking.

Interesting that the 'sticky' point was getting higher and higher at the disco tip (thanks John for the short version).

Finally at 20 thou off, no more sticking of the disco.

Popped off three rounds out the back door and no issues. Full range testing next week.

In retrospect, if the grip safety lever was off, eyeballing would have been much easier, as in detail strip...


1911Tuner
30th March 2008

Yep. It's usually somethin' simple like that...

Be sure to stone the small bevel at the top of the leaf so it'll slide up and down on the disconnect smoothly.


Pappy
30th March 2008

When I got down to 20 thou off, I squared the leaf end and smoothed the edges...


1911Tuner
30th March 2008

Quote:
When I got down to 20 thou off, I squared the leaf end and smoothed the edges...

Stone the bevel, Pappy. If the corner snags on the disconnect, you'll be back to square one... and it may dig a groove in the bearing surface and ruin the disconnect.


SunnyBill
3rd April 2008

Here's a good video takedown and reassembly

If you're worried about taking down your 1911 take a look at this U-tube video (or videos).

They cover disassembly and reassembly in clear detail. Although I see one thing I wouldn't do: when it comes to removing the mainspring housing (the lower part of the rear of the butt) I would uncock the hammer before punching out the mainspring housing pin to reduce pressure and maybe avoid some marking. Other than that these are very helpful.

Colt 1911 Takedown and assembly Part 2 (There is actually only one part)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...644410528433545

Colt 1911 reassembly animation Part 1 (receiver and frame)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...644410528433545

Colt 1911 reassembly animation Part 2 (slide)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...earch&plindex=0


Pappy
3rd April 2008

Thanks Sunny Bill.

I was able to fix the problem by just removing the MSH.

No big deal, altho it would have been easier if I removed the grip safety.


Greyswindir
7th April 2008

A simple little trick I use to reinstall the the sear and disconnect:

I place the disconnect inside the frame (through the disconnect hole and the spade/shovel part on the trigger bow) and then set the sear atop the disconnect. Then I use a toothpick to line up the two holes and slide the toothpick through to hold them in place. I then follow the toothpick with the sear pin and Bingo! It is easy as pie to disassemble/reassemble a 1911. The first time can make you sweat a bit but after that it is a piece of pie.


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