1911 Loose Trigger

[Gun Smoke]

Hello all, Last sunday I bought a new S&W 1911 from one of the big box stores, I don't normally buy guns there but they had a good price on this old model (not E series) 1911 for $749.00 plus tax so I picked it up but the store policy will not allow the store installed trigger lock to be removed inside the retail area so I didn't get to feel the trigger pull...Well I got it home and removed the lock and this pistols trigger is so loose in the frame it rattles when you shake it...There is a good 1/8 inch slop front to back, up and down and side to side...It functions ok but I'm not happy with this...I looked at Kimber, Springfield, RIA, Taurus and Auto Ordinance pistols and all their triggers were tight and didnt rattle like my Smith...The B.P.S. Box store has a no refund-no exchange policy and won't help me...I sent for a shipping label from Smith to send it back as brand new unfired...Has anyone else experienced this with a Smith 1911? I had one just like the new one that was stolen 2 weeks ago and it had a tight trigger and was a sweet shooting gun and I wanted another Smith just like it but this isn't cutting it...What to ya'll think? is this just a fluke or is Smith's quality control slipping on the old model 1911's I did find a Smith 4" 1911 at a shop and it's trigger was loose also...What is up with this and do you think S&W will correct it or send it back saying it meets specs? If that happens this one will be traded for a Kimber pronto...I would appreciate your opinions about this...Thanks...

 

[Rule3]

One of the few "new" guns i have purchased was a SW 1911 and the trigger is just fine. The gun is almost as accurate as my Dan Wesson which cost a lot more. I would not worry about it. If you got a call tag, they will fix it right. If it's not when you get it back, call them again. They will do what ever it takes to make it right and you are happy.

I like to look at the Big Box stores only because they usually have a good inventory but hate that you can not feel the trigger. Bass Pro comes to mind. Actually though if they are not swamped, they will take off the trigger lock if you really want to buy it.

 

[WC145]

My SW1911 9mm Pro Series does the same thing, as does my friend's 1911PD, and lots and lots of other S&W's. If you contact them they'll tell you it's normal. I sent my gun back for an ambi-safety issue and asked them to check the trigger and they left it the way it was. It certainly doesn't affect trigger function, my gun has a very clean, crisp trigger pull and the play isn't noticeable when firing but I have a number of other 1911s and the S&W has the loosest trigger by far. One day I may replace it but the gun shoots great so it's not high on my list of priorities.

 

[Gun Smoke]

Thanks OCD1, Thats what I wanted to hear...I have only had to use S&W repair once before and they were great...I'm wondering if this problem with the 1911 has anything to do with the move to the new plant at Houlton Maine where my pistol was made...Perhaps a CNC set up error? Anyway thanks and by the way the box store was Bass Pro Shops and even when I took the pistol back they made me put the stupid trigger thing back on before I could enter the store...All the gun counter manager and later the store manager would keep saying was that it's store policy, no refunds-exchanges period...I told them my new Bass Pro Shop policy was to never spend another dime there ever and tell everyone I know what crappy customer service they have...It didn't seem to faze him, I guess thats store policy too...I will make another post when my pistol gets back from the Mother Ship....

 

[Gun Smoke]

WC145, Thanks for your reply but if they tell me it's normal to have a trigger feel like a 6 year olds loose tooth that just isn't right...I have seen Norinco 1911 made in china with excellent tight triggers so I know it's possible and my previous (stolen) S&W 1911 had a great tight trigger and didn't rattle like a penny in a beer can....I'm tired of being told by companies that Oh thats normal...My new Chevy pickup started to sound like a diesel at start up and the Stealership said Oh thats normal with these new trucks...I say B.S. I see that S&W has started to hand fit triggers on the new E series so I know they are able to do it so I'll at least give them a chance to correct it once...

 

[geddylee10002000]

Gun Smoke,

I have the Government, Commander (Gunsite), & the Officers 3" Pro. The Government is the tightest fit of them all but still a little loose. I read on another forum that the "new" ES guns have a plastic shim on both sides of the trigger bow to eliminate the side to side play but not the up and down play. I don't find this problem anything to worry about, as my guns shoot just fine. I might add fitting some triggers to a crappy weather weekend to the list someday.

 

[WC145]

I had a $400 RIA 1911 with a better fitted trigger than my S&W but it did not have the action the S&W does. Hopefully they'll do something for you since it obviously bothers you but, like I said, my gun shoots great and it has been 100% reliable since I took it out of the box. I carry mine on duty so chances are I won't mess with it, don't want to jinx myself!
BTW, my gun was made before the move to Houlton so you can't blame the Mainers!

 

[Gun Smoke]

Thanks guys, If they won't fix it I suppose I'll have to live with it and as far as function goes it has a nice crisp break and should shoot fine...It's a minor thing and I have nobody else to blame but me for buying from a store that won't let a customer handle a gun before purchase because if I had seen this trigger before hand I would never have bought it...Lesson Learned I suppose...

 

[turbo38gn]

Thanks guys, If they won't fix it I suppose I'll have to live with it and as far as function goes it has a nice crisp break and should shoot fine...It's a minor thing and I have nobody else to blame but me for buying from a store that won't let a customer handle a gun before purchase because if I had seen this trigger before hand I would never have bought it...Lesson Learned I suppose...

Sorry to to hear of your dissatisfaction, I own a 1911sc, one of the earlier model ones, same trigger. I read about it from the start, but since it made absolutely no difference in the guns performance, I accept it as a non problem area. It is just something for the Kimber guy or SA guy to point a finger at SW.. I laugh it off, cause it is one darn nice gun, they couldn't find anything else to complain about.. Not sure it will change any if you send it in, since it is the way it is supposed to be.. shoot it and enjoy it.. you won't have to "break" it in like a Kimber..

 

[Rule3]

OK, you "made me" go get mine out of the safe.

The trigger shoe has about 1/16" play front to back and maybe the same up and down. I do not consider it loose nor does it rattle around if I shake the gun.

When the hammer is cocked there is no play front to back, still a little up and down.

As to BPS, they are usually very good helping to send a gun back to the manufacture (so I hear) no they will not refund nor will most any other gun store. Guns and ammo are usually final.

 

[JcMack]

Will aftermarket triggers (is Videki still in business?) fit this gun?

 

[ladder13]

As others have stated, it is what it is. My 1911PD shakes and bakes,though some have said you can get an aftermarket trigger "fitted" to the gun. Besides that quirk, I love the 1911PD.
The newer E series are supposed to have less slop in the triggers, but some report much of the same.

 

[m1gunner]

It has been more than 25 years since I built my last 1911, but IIRC there is a common way to take the play out of the trigger. I don't recall how to do it, as I never needed to do it. A good 1911 book should detail the procedure.

S&W should be able to correct it to your satisfaction.

 

[geddylee10002000]

I have bought a couple of guns through BPS and they have let me fondle my prospective gun purchases to the point of salivating. My deceased son bought 2 guns through them also and the same story. BPS here has the best prices on guns in stock for all the stores in town. If you want to order something then they are the highest in town. Never tried to bargain with them as they probably wouldn't move on the price. Did find my Gunsite at Graf's and with a offer they were within $25 of Bud's with my tax included. Bought it at Graf's (they let me salivate all over it before I bought it). Now I want a ES but will wait a bit.

 

[JcMack]

It has been more than 25 years since I built my last 1911, but IIRC there is a common way to take the play out of the trigger. I don't recall how to do it, as I never needed to do it. A good 1911 book should detail the procedure.

S&W should be able to correct it to your satisfaction.

The original 1911 design is a marvel of simplicity. Along the way Colt and 1911 copiers have installed new "safety" parts. Those parts were added to satisfy the "AD if you drop the gun" issue. Some of those parts complicate the dis / re assembly of the gun. Series 80 Colt is a prime example. If the SW is a straight forward 1911 design the fore n aft slop in the trigger can easily be adjusted by bending the triggers bow. Up n down slop, means a new trigger. New triggers need to be fitted. They give the long or short option and usually have an overtravel stop screw.

 

[Gun Smoke]

Well my 1911 came back last Friday from S&W with a repair note saying the loose trigger is normal and isn't adjustable which is what most here told me would happen....I put in my work order request that if normal warranty repair wouldn't fix it to send it to the Performance Center and I would pay to get it corrected but there was no mention of this on the return note...Oh well, but on the bright side my son and I went shooting yesterday and the gun functioned perfectly without any malfunctions and and is very accurate and my son was very happy to have his 1911 back again so in the end all's well that ends well...