Recently picked up a 411 in trade. I like it. But two things I'm interested in doing is adding a ambi safety and half-cock hammer. Since this gun came with neither, would the parts from any other 3rd, or even 2nd gen interchange with the value line 915/411 pistols?

Yes.

Adding an ambi safety would be no problem.
(Although one must always confirm correct de-cock timing when replacing fire control parts.)

A 2nd gen half-cock hammer will fit and function on the 411, however S&W determined, during the course of 40s&w development, that the weight of the forged hammers were battering the slides and only lightened, spurless, or MIM hammers were light enough to avoid this problem.

The half cock hammers are all 2nd gen and are all forged.

You COULD use a spurless half cock hammer from a 2nd gen compact (469, 669), but I'm guessing you were wanting a spur hammer?

Most of the 2nd and 3rd gen parts are interchangeable with the 915/411 (and even the 410).

Not so much with the 9mm models 908, 909, 910.

John

Thanks JohnHL

Ok that makes better sense now. I was wondering why the back of my hammer was hollowed out. I just thought it had something to do with the 'value' line guns. But it makes sense. So did S&W determine if that battering the slides was on high round count guns? This thing will be lucky to see 1000rds in its lifetime with me as I don't shoot often.

The so-called 'Value-line' 411 is actually a solid EDC piece.

Mine's been 100% reliable, is acceptably accurate, and reasonably concealable.

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You're welcome, Doc.

I don't know how many rounds were fired by S&W testers before the slides cracked, but crack they did, and no 40s were sold with full weight hammers.

I like all of my pistols too much to risk the damage.

John

BTW, Doc, the "hollowed-out" hammer that you have is the S&W "competition" hammer that was lightened to provide faster lock times on "race" guns.

S&W also installed a hammer with a large hole drilled through it to make it light enough for the 40.

If you are really stuck on the idea of a half-cock notch hammer, it would be a simple process to file a half cock notch in the hammer you already have.

John

Picked up a 915 . It is like the 411. A value series pistol with all metal parts

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm