Wide spur hammer

[gb6491]

I thought I'd post this here since an AO gun was the inspiration. Ever since green02crew posted a photo of his AO 1911 with a wide spur hammer, I've been wanting one on one of my stainless guns.
Here's green02crew's gun (from this thread: http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13146)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/524961_778287863047_491381941_n.jpg
There are some nice renditions of that style hammer out there (I like EGW's (http://www.egwguns.com/special-deals/wide-spur-hammer/)), but I found only one in stainless steel and it did not get good reviews (http://item.brownells.com/groups/john-masen-1911-auto-hammer/1911-auto-hammer-ss-ws-hammer.htm). Then, a gent posted photos of his Remington R1 with a wide spur hammer on one of the 1911 forums (http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=382380). It looked decent in the photos plus another guy ordered one and said "it's pretty nice. So, I ordered one myself. I got it yesterday and on first examination it looked pretty good. However, it was heavily abrasive blasted and my guess is that the blasting was done to hide machine marks on one side of the hammer:
http://i47.tinypic.com/33fezk9.jpg
So this was not going to be as easy an installation as I had hoped for. Out come the tools, I filed (the hammer's steel actually felt pretty good under the file), stoned, and sanded most of the machine marks out. I then blasted the trigger and cleaned up the hooks (even though they were cut well to begin with, thank goodness). With everything back to together, I was delighted to find I had a nice trigger pull and that working the hammer flats gave enough clearance that the hammer was not scraping/rubbing against the slide when dry firing it.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2lnh6rk.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/2llc9iw.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2v284ub.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/2vjww00.jpg
Now, I need to put some round through and see how everything holds up. :53:
Thanks for bearing with me.:yo:
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

It looks great. I'm really fond of that hammer configuration too. I'm sure you planted that bug in my head like so many others.

You did a great job cleaning it up.

I was so proud of myself detail stipping my Cbob this weekend but I'm not sure I'm up to installing that hammer like you did.

I just question weather everything is fit and functioning as it should and you really can't see in there to see how good a sear contact etc you have. Kind of a it works or it don't.

I know they make jigs but probably over my head and seldom needed for my needs.

Sure like the looks of it. Wonder if it's gonna bite!

[gb6491]

Thanks Boss!
You can get a pretty good idea of the hammer and sear fit outside of the gun and you can do few tests on an empty gun, but the proof is in the firing (well at least to my mind it is). I'm going to try and get a 100 or so rounds through it today and at least that many more before i consider it good to go.
You've got a good eye. The spur is perhaps a tad lower than the hammer I replaced, but I don't think it will bite (famous last words).
http://i48.tinypic.com/1zdc5zr.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2j630qq.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

In looking again I like it even more if that's possible but I also note that there probably isn't a snowball chance that it would work with a beaver tail grip safety such as my Cbob which is where I'd really like to hang it.

Wish I hadn't been neutered, it's in the van, I'd like to see how much I'd have to modify or if I can even modify enough to make it work. Might not look right either.

If I can't have the wide spur I'm probably not going. All the more reason to get a Remington or other GI with no beaver tail?

[BEARDOG]

Beautiful work GB ! looks like it was made with that hammer on it. It matches in perfectly.
Nice looking, functional upgrade.

[gb6491]

Beautiful work GB ! looks like it was made with that hammer on it. It matches in perfectly.
Nice looking, functional upgrade.
Thanks BEARDOG!:)


In looking again I like it even more if that's possible but I also note that there probably isn't a snowball chance that it would work with a beaver tail grip safety such as my Cbob which is where I'd really like to hang it.

Wish I hadn't been neutered, it's in the van, I'd like to see how much I'd have to modify or if I can even modify enough to make it work. Might not look right either.

If I can't have the wide spur I'm probably not going. All the more reason to get a Remington or other GI with no beaver tail?
I think you are right Bawanna about the Cbob. In the interest of domestic tranquility I'll avoid speculating about the "Äll the more reason.." thing.














http://i45.tinypic.com/ekgu9x.jpg
:)
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

At the current time for reasons unknown (quite common) there is no domestic tranquility just lulls in the storm. A shiny new Remington would be like Katrina times 10 at the moment.

And our local gunshow this weekend too. Timing is just not my thing I guess.

[Alfonse]

Beautiful. I was just thinking about 1911s earlier today. Nice work on that hammer.

[Bawanna]

Ok mister Greg, help me here. In the one photo there are two Remingtons, one with the original hammer, and one with the new hammer. Different grips but also a different look on the whole gun.

Did you blast the whole gun and knock off a little of the sheen. It looks very nice, don't misunderstand me but I'm seeing a difference.

It's like one of them name the differences in these photos in the funny papers ya know, I don't me funny like San Francisco and Key West but the newspaper funny ya know.

Am I right. I see similar rocks but not the same rocks so I'm thinking a photo from another source isn't the answer here. Maybe I should have been a detective. Or maybe got into the septic tank pumping business?

[jocko]

u should stick to septic tanks. u seem to put out alot of that stuff. Just sayin

[TucsonMTB]

http://i46.tinypic.com/2v284ub.jpg

Wow, Greg! That just looks "right" somehow. Very handsome. Kudos to the master! http://home.mindspring.com/~justsomeguy/thumbsup.gif

[jocko]

he used to sell bait years ago. so what would u call the master????Just askin

[MW surveyor]

Greg - I was just thinking about getting a spurred hammer for my 1911. Can't seem to thumb c o c k the thing with the one it has now. The spur has got to make it easier.

[gb6491]

Alfonse,
Thank you kindly:)


Ok mister Greg, help me here. In the one photo there are two Remingtons, one with the original hammer, and one with the new hammer. Different grips but also a different look on the whole gun.

Did you blast the whole gun and knock off a little of the sheen. It looks very nice, don't misunderstand me but I'm seeing a difference.

It's like one of them name the differences in these photos in the funny papers ya know, I don't me funny like San Francisco and Key West but the newspaper funny ya know.

Am I right. I see similar rocks but not the same rocks so I'm thinking a photo from another source isn't the answer here. Maybe I should have been a detective. Or maybe got into the septic tank pumping business?
Bawanna,
You're good, I did bead the gun after I very slightly, and I mean very slightly, undercut the trigger guard. Still, one of those photos was taken today and the other some months back (probably at different times of day), so the difference in lighting also has a hand in the pot.



Wow, Greg! That just looks "right" somehow. Very handsome. Kudos to the master! http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ejustsomeguy/thumbsup.gif
I very much appreciate such kind words from a gentleman of the highest order.:yo:


he used to sell bait years ago. so what would u call the master????Just askin
I dunno, salesman? Please do tell kind sir, as I yield to your expertise in the matter trusting that you have the answer well in hand.;)


Greg - I was just thinking about getting a spurred hammer for my 1911. Can't seem to thumb c o c k the thing with the one it has now. The spur has got to make it easier.
I think spur hammers do have a leverage advantage over round/ring type hammers. They also provide more area to manipulate them.

Regards,
Greg

[gb6491]

Well, I finally got out to put some rounds through the R1 and so far all is good with the new hammer: everything worked as it should with no hammer bite, I'm digging it :hippie::)
KpTYBSZfbbg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Rapido! I love it. No hammer bite, I'd say it's close to perfect, got the looks, got the style, it seems to work perfect and no hammer bite.

Got it all.

[TucsonMTB]

[WhineMode=ON]
So, here I am painting some of the parts of the house that I ignored the first time around. And, you are out in the desert (nice background, BTW) having fun with your 1911 . . . No fair!
[WhineMode=OFF]

Nice video, Greg! I also watched and enjoyed several of the others that came up afterwards as suggestions. Thanks for sharing!

Time to get out on the bike . . . :)

[Bawanna]

I dig that 25" Kukri video. Damn but that thing is shiny and SHARP.

The slice the milk jug part kind of made my britches stick out in front.

I gotta quit reading your post and watching your video's, your a BAD influence in a very good way.

[JFootin]

I was a bit surprised by the amount of recoil and muzzle jump from that 1911. Everything I have seen and read says that the P/CW45 is mild by comparison. Is this true? (I've never shot a 45 handgun.)

[Bawanna]

I think seeing it in video makes it look worse than it really is. My good man GB seemed to be a little apprehensive in the picture too. I get that myself sometimes, actually quite often.

Maybe focusing more on the making of the video than doing the shooting.

It all seemed to go away during Rapido. Darn I love that.

The P and CW probably have a slightly lower bore axis so the actual muzzle flip might not be nearly as pronounced but it would still be quite noticeable in a video.

[JFootin]

Thanks Kimosabi. I am going to wait a while before I consider getting a 45. Hands and wrists getting weaker and more crippled, so maybe I'll take a pass.

Talking about minimal muzzle fip, I was amazed when I helped my shooting buddy feed ammo through his new Caracal C (http://www.caracal.ae/new/caracal-c.php). What a sweet feeling and shooting double stack pistol! I am beside myself counting down the days until my next check when I can purchase one. I am going to give a down payment to the LGS and have him order one so it will be ready for me on payday. Kind of early for a Christmas present to myself. A while since my birthday. It will be my birthday and Christmas present to myself this year.

[gb6491]

I was a bit surprised by the amount of recoil and muzzle jump from that 1911. Everything I have seen and read says that the P/CW45 is mild by comparison. Is this true? (I've never shot a 45 handgun.)


I think seeing it in video makes it look worse than it really is. My good man GB seemed to be a little apprehensive in the picture too. I get that myself sometimes, actually quite often.

Maybe focusing more on the making of the video than doing the shooting.

It all seemed to go away during Rapido. Darn I love that.

The P and CW probably have a slightly lower bore axis so the actual muzzle flip might not be nearly as pronounced but it would still be quite noticeable in a video.
JF,
I'm not the best person to watch and judge recoil by.
As Bawanna deduced, I was concerned some with keeping the pistol in the camera's field of view. Beyond that, I only really bear down during rapid fire; during slow fire I just try to maintain a good grip and roll with the recoil. Shooting this way, I think the greater mass/inertia/longer stroke of the 1911's slide causes an exaggerated backward roll.
Here's a little comparison of pistols:
a2AOniUBn6U

TucsonMTB,
You have some beautiful desert over your way my friend and i hope you were able to work that bike ride in today.

Regards,
Greg

[JFootin]

Thanks, Greg. You're the best! :yo:

I'll just have to go to the pistol range and rent some 45s to try out and see how it feels. Normally, recoil is no big deal for me. Funny thing, though, my Taurus TCP 380 has the roughest feeling recoil with range ammo of my 3 pistols, but it is milder with my carry ammo, Hornady Critical Defense. A nearby customizing store says he has 11 lb recoil springs coming for TCPs (standard is 8 lb). He says it will help reduce felt recoil, and I'm betting it will help improve feeding reliability even if I limp wrist it a bit. When he gets them in stock, I am going to get one and try it out.

[gb6491]

You're welcome sir:)

FWIW, here are a couple of gents shooting Remington 1911 R1 pistols. One is a younger gent and the other a little older, but both handle their pistols better than I do.
S_P-XU4PobQ
Ouch! This gent gets some of that "hammer bite" Bawanna was talking about:
GmfsdJ2bSWw
LOL, in this video you can see what he did to fix the hammer bite:
E-uXl-Kzs-0
Regards,
Greg

[LorenzoB]

Nice modification Greg!! And nice photos as always. I know a good 1911 is in my future. Thanks for posting!