Colt 1911 45 Sear Release Problem

Zippy

Inactive
I stripped my 1911 completely for the first time in 20 years but can’t assemble it correctly. The hammer falls at half cock when the trigger is pulled but will not fall at full cock, safety is off. I can push on the sear and it will then release the hammer. I believe I have inserted the sear and the depressor spring & clip correctly but a little unclear as to how the sear spring lays on the sear or maybe that’s not the problem. It fits several ways but I have tried various ways and still have the problem. With the sear spring and main spring removed, the action appears to function correctly. Thanks.

PS: Does the left tong of the sear spring lay on top of the sear or slide under the sear but over the disconnector?

Model: Colt 1911 Gold Cup, National Match, Series 80. Only fired about 100 times since new.
 
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The sear spring only fits one way. The tab at the bottom of the spring goes into the notch in the frame, the fingers lay on top of the sear and disconnector, the curved finger on the right operates the grip safety. Make sure the disconnector is riding up all the way.
 
I have tried the sear spring on top and under the sear. It fits either way but of course the mechanism doesn't work the same, depending on where I placed it. When I place it on top as you suggest, the hammer still hangs up at the full cocked position. There must be something obvious I'm missing but have no idea what it is. Thanks.
 
just a thought, with the leaf springs on top of the sear & disconnector, keep the hammer down, (forward) till you get it fully assembled. If you let the hammer fall back to the cocked position before you slide the housing up & pin it, it will act like you described. Ask me how I know! :) Good Luck!!
 
Thanks, I will try that but I thought you have to have the hammer back all the way to insert the safety? I have not installed the slide since the trigger won't let the hammer fall from full cock before I get that far. I installed it once but it made no difference. I can sometime push on the hammer while depressing the trigger and that's enough fire it, so hammer is right on the edge of the sear.
 
When I place it on top as you suggest, the hammer still hangs up at the full cocked position. There must be something obvious I'm missing but have no idea what it is. Thanks.

What you were given was not a suggestion. That's how the sear spring is installed. There is no other way, even if it "fit" the other way. Remember that if you're going to be working on your 1911.

Bookmark this site, and use it like a bible. The rest of Bill Laughridges' site, Cylinder and Slide, aint bad either for proper care and maintenance of Pistol and Revolver.

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/1911safetyck.shtml
 
I finally figured out the problem. Evidently, after cleaning it, the sear assembly, or something, changed a minute amount or just enough for the hammer to hang a little on the sear. I adjusted the trigger pull 1/8th or less of a turn, which cured the problem.
 
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