trigger creep in 1911

[louiethelump]

I normally work on revolvers but got a 1911 from a good customer with a complaint of too much creep in the trigger pull.  It IS a massive amount of creep.  This is a new, stainless colt.  By looking at parts and the way the gun works. it appears that a reduction in the depth of the notch on the hammer is in order to reduce the creep.

Can someone offer some guidance here on this?  Is this the normal way of correcting this?  OR, can someone direct me to the correct place to ask this question?

Thanks

Louiethelump

[Flint]

Look for Jerry Kuhnhausen's books on the Colt Automatic.

The sear notch can be made shallower, but be careful that you don't make it so short that the sear strikes the half cock notch hook on the hammer's way down.  You can bevel and/or radius the top surface of the half cock hook to help push the sear nose over it as it passes by.

The other modification is to put a SMALL 45 degree chamfer on the rear edge of the sear, effectively moving the mating surface forward, shortening the creep.

Also, reduce the free travel on the trigger by tweaking the sear engaging surface at the back of the loop, if necessary.

[Mikey]

Louie:  I have one piece of advice for anyone about to tackle a crummy 1911 trigger pull for the first time - get yourself a chip McCormick hammer and trigger group and you will never look back.  You may need a beavertail grip safety - and you can get drop-ins from Kings (worked just great for me) and you are all set. 

The trigger has an adjustment screw to limit travel after let-off and is a material you can contour if your client desires. 

I feel that if you start messing with the parts that came with the pistol you can go a bit too far without really seeing what is happening and then you have to get new parts anyhow.  I feel that if you just start this project with a handful of the aftermarket parts you will need to complete this project you will be a lot happier. 

JMTCW.  Mikey.

[rbwillnj]

This Brownells article by Jack Weigand will give you all the steps for a great trigger job on a 1911.   Cutting down the hammer hooks is one step in the process, but only a small part of doing a proper trigger job on a 1911.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?p=0&t=1&i=349

[louiethelump]

Thanks to Flint and the others for the valuable information provided.  The gun is fixed, and your help and suggestions are appreciated.

Louie

 

[sixshooter_45]

Here are a few places to order these excellent books, 

Brownells

Heritage Gun Books - Catalog