SW1911TA Issues

[kc-130nav]

Local to me is a SW1911TA for sale. It is in nice condition and has a Streamlight TLR-2s on it. Upon examining it I noted a couple of thimgs.

When the slide is pulled back, like you would if chambering a round, the hammer does not cock but follows the slide back up most of the time. I did get it to cock a couple of times and the grip safety does not function.

The slide release is really hard to push down to let the slide go forward.

Any ideas what’s going on?

 

[Kp321]

Nothing a trip to a 1911 mechanic and a few parts won’t fix. Probably cost from $100 to $250 depending on parts replacement. Talk the seller down an appropriate amount. Could be as simple as a good cleaning and a new sear spring.

 

[Autonomous]

It is not safe as is. Not trying to be snarky but good condition means safe.
I'd assume Bubba attempted a trigger job on the kitchen table. What else did he bugger up?
Personally, I wouldn't consider it unless it was at least $500 under market value of an intact model.
I chose that figure as it could easily run that much to have it inspected and repaired.

 

[kc-130nav]

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Reach out to BMCM here and ask him what he thinks . He's n awesome gunsmith when it comes to our S&W's .

 

[4T5GUY]

When the slide is pulled back, like you would if chambering a round, the hammer does not cock but follows the slide back up most of the time. I did get it to cock a couple of times and the grip safety does not function.

Sear spring needs to be checked/adjusted or replaced/adjusted.

Jim

 

[Fastbolt]

Sear spring needs to be checked/adjusted or replaced/adjusted.

Jim

Good place to start and a relatively simple correction (if you know what you're doing). Of course, an inspection by a smith familiar with 1911's is also a good idea. Who knows with a used gun if someone fooled around under the hood and ruined something.

 

[Fastbolt]

FWIW, in the S&W SW1911 pistol armorer manual, the probable causes of Hammer Falls (Does Not Stay Cocked):

*Sear spring is exerting inadequate tension on sear
*Hammer notch worn or damaged
*Sear worn or damaged
*Disconnector worn or damaged

Another avenue for inspection and correction might be to call S&W and ask for a shipping label, but if the repair tech determines the problem is something caused by improper tinkering under the hood, and not a warranty item, they may ask for a credit card number to effect repairs.

 

[mreed911]

The slide release is really hard to push down to let the slide go forward.

That's because it's not a slide release, it's a slide stop. To release the slide, pull it fully rearward and the slide stop will drop out of the way, allowing the slide to close when released. The force you're feeling trying to use that lever as a release is the force of the mainspring and hammer pushing against the slide, as well as the recoil spring.