NOOB 1911 question

View · by **Rooster17** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:54 pm

What is the purpose of the half cock position on the hammers for 1911s? I don't get it, do all 1911s have that?

View · by **LumberZach** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:59 pm

All 1911's should have it. It is mostly so if you are cocking the hammer and it slips, there is something to catch and keep the gun from going off. You should not use it like a typical half cock.

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View · by **Rooster17** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:15 pm

I don't.

View · by **gun_fan111** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:17 pm

LumberZach wrote:All 1911's should have it. It is mostly so if you are cocking the hammer and it slips, there is something to catch and keep the gun from going off. You should not use it like a typical half cock.

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It was one question I knew the answer to and you beat me to it :lol:

View · by **LumberZach** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 8:39 pm

gun_fan111 wrote:
LumberZach wrote:All 1911's should have it. It is mostly so if you are cocking the hammer and it slips, there is something to catch and keep the gun from going off. You should not use it like a typical half cock.

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It was one question I knew the answer to and you beat me to it

Why do you think I was so quick to answer!

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View · by **FJ540** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:11 pm

Actually, you're both wrong then.

It's meant to prevent an AD in the event the sear is moved without the trigger fully depressing it. The trigger has to be held back through the entire hammer rotation or the sear spring will cause it to catch on the half-cock notch.

View · by **solidgun** on Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:56 pm

FJ540 wrote:Actually, you're both wrong then.

It's meant to prevent an AD in the event the sear is moved without the trigger fully depressing it. The trigger has to be held back through the entire hammer rotation or the sear spring will cause it to catch on the half-cock notch.

Yes, the half-cock or safety shelf on some hammers are a fail safe feature for what FJ540 said.

View · by **Rodentman** on Sat Feb 08, 2014 11:48 am

Don't go off half-cocked.

View · by **Lumpy** on Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:15 pm

I've heard some say the half-cock is for carrying with the safety off, so the hammer isn't on the firing pin but pulling the trigger won't release the hammer. Is this an accepted practice or unsafe bull****?

View · by **westhope** on Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:23 pm

Lumpy wrote:I've heard some say the half-cock is for carrying with the safety off, so the hammer isn't on the firing pin but pulling the trigger won't release the hammer. Is this an accepted practice or unsafe bull****?

Absolutely do NOT every rest the hammer at the safety notch!