1911 hammer bite

E

Ed2000

New member
Hey guys, one last 1911 question for ya'll. Will replacing a standard hammer with a commander hammer reduce or eliminate hammer bite WITHOUT the addition of a beavertail grip safety? I like the looks of the rounded hammer but not the beavertail grip safeties everyone is putting on the guns today. If the round hammer at least reduced the severity or likelihood of hammer bite, I would be inclined to keep the otherwise stock 1911. Thanks for all your help as I decide which 1911 I NEED :-)
 
I think I'll add my own question right here.
What type of hand/forearm is most likely to suffer from hammer bite? I am tall and thin with hands to match. (long fingers, but little meat on my hands) My forearms are not very strong. I just like the looks of a historically accurate 1911A1. Sorry Ed, but maybe you will find this useful too.
 
Well, yea, I guess that does matter. I have average hands, not meaty and waiting for hammer bite. Still, if the round hammer might lessen the hammer bit that I know I'll get sooner or later - I may still go for it. Right now, I am thinking of just getting the base gun and waiting before I make any changes.
 
There is such a difference in the way folks grip a pistol, that there is no set answer.

Ed, if you like the Commander hammer, add it. It shouldn't increase hammer bite and may help.

In my case, both standard 1911s and BHPs eat me alive. My shooting buddy has bigger hands and has never been bitten. Too many variables.

Giz
 
Ditto to what Gizmo said. I have relatively large hands and will not shoot a 1911 without a beavertail because they eat me as well. However the H-Power doesn't do this to me. I'd suggest putting the smaller hammer on and giving it a try. If it still bites you can then go with the beaver tail.

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Gunslinger

TFL End of Summer Meet, August 12th & 13th, 2000
 
Bear in mind that, if you replace your spur hammer with a "Commander" hammer, you will need to relieve the standard grip safety slightly to accomodate it.

Rosco
 
Rosco is correct on changing or altering the grip safety if you change hammers to a "Commander" type hammer. I think that there are a couple of aftermarket parts makers that have a non-beavertail grip safety that is designed for use with the burr hammer.

I don't care for the burr hammers but like the original 1911 wide spur ones. I have not had HB with them but to make sure, I use either King's http://www.kingsgunworks.com or Wilson's http://www.wilsoncombat.com wider and slightly longer GS's that look like the stock ones.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited May 02, 2000).]
 
I have a Kimber with the Commander hammer and the beavertail safety, and a Colt with a spur hammer and no beavertail. Neither bite me, at all. I have slimmer hands and long fingers. Some days I prefer the Kimber, some days I prefer the Colt. A beavertail is a must for some, but not all.
 
Except for a few people with fleshy hands, the standard M1911A1 grip safety is enough to prevent hammer "bite". Otherwise, either a bobbed hammer or an extended grip safety will be needed.

Hammer "bite", by the way, is not caused by the flesh getting pinched between the hammer and the grip safety, as has been written, but by the hand being struck by the hammer in its inertial movement after being slammed back by the slide.

Jim
 
Ed2000,
As you can see from the replies, not everyone suffers from this malady. I have an ancient Colt 1911, the most notorious model for this. It has never once bitten me. I would shoot whatever gun you like first, then decide if it needs to be altered at all. It may be fine for you the way it is.
Jus' my 2 cents :)
 
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