This is the first time I have tried to assemble a lower. To my own amazement every thing works great ...except the trigger seems to be set back too far. It seems to function as it is supposed to, but is has very little travel. All of the parts I am using are from an old Colt and the frame is a new Essex. Any help you guys can give me will be GREATLY appreciated.
Does the trigger bind in its slot? It should slide freely back and forth.
One of the sear spring legs may not be putting enough tension on the rear of the trigger stirrup. The trigger should be pushed fully forward by the sear spring. You can carefully bend the finger of the spring if you determine the trigger is just sort of "floating" in its channel.
Quote:
It seems to function as it is supposed to, but is has very little
travel.
Actually, "very little travel" is a good thing, and in your case is probably not a sign of anything wrong at all.
There were originaly two different triggers for the 1911 pistol. The original 1911 had a "long" trigger that worked well with the original flat main spring housing but when the 1911 was "remodeled" (to better fit the hands of most GI's) and reissued as the 1911-A1, the flat MSH was redesigned as an arched mainspring housing and the length of the trigger was shortened about 1/4" or so thus becoming the more common "short" GI trigger. (See comparative pic below.)
Looks like the parts in your frame came off a 1911-A1 and what you've got is an original GI "short" trigger. Nothing in the world wrong with it, but most folks seem to prefer the "long" style trigger which is what most current day triggers are modeled after.
Doug is absolutely correct. There is nothing wrong with your trigger, so long as it does not bind when squeezed.