Question about cocked and locked for long periods of time.

sdmc530 · #1 02-21-2017, 11:25 PM

I have read many a thread on the sear and i think the repeated violent shooting and cycling is probably the hardest abuse you can do to a pistol. Think about the act of firing the gun then it cycles fast and hard.

Yes the half cock was put in place so the rider would not accidentally shoot his horse or so the story goes. The half notch is pretty small in comparison to the full cock. I could not find any info on sear failures that resulted in a shooting from the half cock but i am sure its happened. I would think if the sear failed you would notice the issues quickly? Maybe?

pitor · #2 02-22-2017, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdmc530

I have read many a thread on the sear and i think the repeated violent shooting and cycling is probably the hardest abuse you can do to a pistol. Think about the act of firing the gun then it cycles fast and hard.

Yes the half cock was put in place so the rider would not accidentally shoot his horse or so the story goes. The half notch is pretty small in comparison to the full cock. I could not find any info on sear failures that resulted in a shooting from the half cock but i am sure its happened. I would think if the sear failed you would notice the issues quickly? Maybe?

Agreed, very good thread by the way, great discussion.

DrHenley · #3 02-22-2017, 08:37 AM

Half cock notch on a 1911 is to catch the hammer in the case of the main sear failing. It is not a "safety" in the same sense some half cock notches are (Winchester model 94 for example). The firing pin is inertial (does not contact the primer when the hammer is fully lowered), so a blow to the hammer won't cause a discharge.

BTW, on Colt Series 80 pistols, the half cock notch is not captive. You can pull the trigger from half cock, and the hammer will fall the rest of the way, but not forcefully enough to set off a round.

sdmc530 · #4 02-22-2017, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHenley

Half cock notch on a 1911 is to catch the hammer in the case of the main sear failing. It is not a "safety" in the same sense some half cock notches are (Winchester model 94 for example). The firing pin is inertial (does not contact the primer when the hammer is fully lowered), so a blow to the hammer won't cause a discharge.

BTW, on Colt Series 80 pistols, the half cock notch is not captive. You can pull the trigger from half cock, and the hammer will fall the rest of the way, but not forcefully enough to set off a round.

Correct!!

I guess we could all just put firing pin plungers on all our pistols so that it still wouldn't fire if the sear fail...but that is another idea altogether.

DaFadda · #5 02-22-2017, 10:59 AM

This is why I hang out here. Go to one of the "big boards" and tell me when you've seen this statement:

"My name is

, and I am wrong about what condition I should carry my gun. Condition 1 is the proper way.....this might not be an epiphany but its the correct way."

We have lively discussions, sometimes agreeing to disagree, and much less trashing of other people's thoughts than most places. And if we're wrong, we usually admit it and move on.

Thank you

for your frankness and candor!

Da

sdmc530 · #6 02-22-2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFadda

This is why I hang out here. Go to one of the "big boards" and tell me when you've seen this statement:

"My name is

, and I am wrong about what condition I should carry my gun. Condition 1 is the proper way.....this might not be an epiphany but its the correct way."

We have lively discussions, sometimes agreeing to disagree, and much less trashing of other people's thoughts than most places. And if we're wrong, we usually admit it and move on.

Thank you

for your frankness and candor!

Da

thanks Padre, I did learn a lot in the last few days about the 1911 that I actually didn't know. I am a condition 1 person know. When in 1911 group therapy next Tuesday night I will make my pentance with them

pitor · #7 02-22-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdmc530

thanks Padre, I did learn a lot in the last few days about the 1911 that I actually didn't know. I am a condition 1 person know. When in 1911 group therapy next Tuesday night I will make my pentance with them

I'm glad this discussion helped some a bit, I've definitely learned more than a thing or two discussing the subject. COTEP is a great place of like-minded individuals. I wish we all lived closer to each other for an annual BBQ, Ell and

would be designated cooks!

DaFadda · #8 02-22-2017, 02:33 PM

One of the biggest fears about Condition One carry... or storage, or night stand... is the thought that "there is a round in the chamber and that gun has a hair trigger". I've had that and similar said to me for years. When a new to the 1911 shooter questions me on the subject, I suggest that he/she carry the 1911 for three or four weeks cocked, with an empty chamber. I even offer to buy them dinner if the hammer drops. No one has taken my offer of dinner yet, but they come to realize that the three safeties on the 1911 make it one of the safest pistols in existence. Manual, Grip and keep your darn finger off the trigger!

Now.... back to Naked Gun 33 1/3