1911 question for the experts.

JesseLee

Will a 1911 discharge if dropped with the hammer down and a round in the chamber?

perry shooter

Because the fireing pin is held back against the fireing pin retainer by a spring it is felt by some that if you droped a pistol from high enough and it fell on the muzzel it "MAY/COULD" stop quick enough to cause the fireing pin to contact a primer in a live cartridge in the barrel . However the bullet would exit straight down and the pistol would recoil slowly upwards . Thus the Swartz style and series 80 style safety.I don't think there are any known cases of someone being hurt this way. "PRAISE THE HARD-BALL GUN"

11b6r

As perryshooter says- the firing pin is not long enough to touch the primer when hammer is resting against it- when hammer drops, the pin bounds forward compressing the spring (inertia) and hits the primer- then spring returns firing pin to rear position. Simply hitting the hammer when it is resting against the pin does nothing (except ding up your hammer) Hae never seen one with hammer DOWN that fired when dropped.

nmyers

There is a far greater danger of AD when you attempt to lower the hammer on a live round. That is why NO manufacturer, police department, or military organization has ever recommended that a 1911 be carried with the hammer forward on a live round.

Neal

CHAIRMAKER

JesseLee,
It can fire if it falls from a sufficient height and lands on the muzzle. I saw it happen once when a .45 fell out of a shoulder holster.

JesseLee

Thanks for the informtion guys. I had a BDA go off when the hammer bairly moved forward. I would like to keep one for the house but am concered about an AD.