intermittent failure to fire

[ordy]

First, Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year. now, the problem. I have a friend who has a 1911 pistol that fires fine but every once in a while, the trigger stops short of it's full backward travel resulting in a failure to fire. He eases pressure on the trigger and tries again and it works. Is this caused by failure of the trigger to reset or possibly failure of the disconnector? Grip safety not moving forward as it should? I have a sense that the problem lies in the leaf springs but that's just a guess. To muddy the water even further, it doesn't happen a lot but enough to be bothersome. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Protocall_Design]

If it has a trigger stop, that could be borderline too far in. If that is the problem, just back it off a bit so the trigger can go further back.

 

[H Richard]

Possibility of the grip safety not totally fitted up, and a relaxed grip might not engage it.

 

[chief38]

To adjust trigger pull, return and the grip safety tension the three finger spring needs to be bent. Someone might have adjusted it and gone too far. You can try bending the grip safety segment a little to increase tension and see how that works. If someone has ruined it by bending it too much, replacements are plentiful and inexpensive.

I'd also check the main spring in the grip back-strap to see if someone cut off too many coils.

 

[Johnnu2]

I'd strip it, clean it thoroughly and, if that doesn't work, buy ALL new springs and install.

IMHO,

J.

 

[ordy]

I'd strip it, clean it thoroughly and, if that doesn't work, buy ALL new springs and install.

you are reading my mind.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, A detailed cleaning and spring changes are suggested. I'm wondering if your friend has ever changed the springs and how many rounds are on the gun and springs.

Wolff Gun Springs sells spring kits and the price is fair and the springs are of extremely high quality. Many OEM springs are supplied by them.

On their site look under Semi-auto/ Colt/ 1911 Gov/ Service Paks and you will find all the springs in a kit for $17.99...

 

[ordy]

I haven't looked at the gun yet and don't know too much about it. I shoot trap with the guy who owns it and know he doesn't clean his guns as much as he should (in my opinion). I'm very familiar with Wolff springs and have upgraded some of my guns with their kits.