Must Do Safety/Function Tests

[Amsdorf]

On my field stripping video, I included the two most basic safety tests: thumb safety and grip safety:

field stripping the 1911 video

field stripping the 1911 video

, Here is a chapter two video, featuring those safety/function tests.

"Must Do" 1911 Safety and Function Tests - HD Video and Sound - YouTube

"Must Do" 1911 Safety and Function Tests - HD Video and Sound - YouTube

[video=youtube;xxPxxYhZj1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxPxxYhZj1o[/video]

[TCS_XDM]

On your second video that slide drop test should not be preformed regularly. You can crack your sear and ruin a custom trigger job. If your 1911 starts randomly going full auto though this is the first thing you should check.

[Amsdorf]

Could you help me understand why dropping the slide like in the video is more destructive than the normal firing functioning of the 1911?

[TCS_XDM]

Dropping the slide without a loaded mag in a 1911 allows the full force of the recoil spring to slam a lot of parts together at the same time. When there is a loaded magazine the bullet being loaded actually helps slow the slide and reduce some of the force. This is the first thing I was told by my gunsmith when I got my custom trigger job done.

I'm sure a quick google search will confirm what I'm saying.

Dropping the Slide on the Empty Chamber of a 1911 - YouTube

Dropping the Slide on the Empty Chamber of a 1911 - YouTube

Here is a guy with a crazy eye that says the exact opposite of what my gun smith told me. I was told dry fire to my hearts delight but ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DROP THE SLIDE (caps cause he said it like that)

Re: Dropping the Slide on the Empty Chamber of a 1911 - YouTube

Re: Dropping the Slide on the Empty Chamber of a 1911 - YouTube

My gun smith:
Advanced Gunworks | Custom 1911 Handguns | Repair and Customization of Firearms

David M. Gregor
Gunsmith & Partner
David brings more than 25 years of experience in gunsmithing to Advanced GunWorks. Prior to joining the Advanced GunWorks team, he served as Master Gunsmith for the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) in Quantico, Va. and for the U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six.

David also served as chief gunsmith for the Department of Energy (DOE) Central Training Academy, where he designed, wrote and taught the Armorer Training Course for the DOE. David has conducted armorer-training courses for local and state law enforcement, Naval SEAL Team Units, the U.S. Air Force, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other governmental agencies. He has also served as president of Innovative Weaponry, Inc. and Griffon USA, Inc.

David has been trained at the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School and the FBI Academy. He has attained factory certification from the following manufacturers: Remington, Colt, Smith & Wesson, Sig-Sauer and Heckler & Koch.

[Amsdorf]

The bug-eyed guy in the dark recording by the light of his computer screen is just downright scary!!

: )

[cuba]

Originally Posted by Amsdorf

Could you help me understand why dropping the slide like in the video is more destructive than the normal firing functioning of the 1911?

The 1911 was design to feed a fresh round with the slide moving forward under the energy of the action spring in a controlled manner, and not to be dropped for no apparent reason on an empty chamber like a toy, with a highly tuned sear/hammer the possibility of the hammer falling to the half cock notch is greatly increased and the abutment area in the half notch being crudely milled will ruin a sears primary angle, also the full force of a 16 pound action spring will batter the barrels lower lug causing a curling at the bottom legs toward the frame abutment area an eventually prevent correct barrel to frame lockup.

Besides all the technical explanation that I've provided, most 1911 manufacturer will print in their manuals against that sort of practice.(Kimber Spring field, ect, ect,)

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun.

[Amsdorf]

Very informative, thanks.

[ArmyGuy45]

Crazy eye dude knows his stuff! The thing that locks the barrel in place is all of your issues.

I would like to point out that Wilson Combat would say "yes" to it hurting the gun because every time you rack your slide(shooting it or dry run) it wears more on your weapon therefore might need repair. WC would say yes to prob reduce the amount of repairs they would get from use. I dont think the military would have invested all that time and money into a weapon that can not be dry fired or racked without a mag.

Has anyone on this forum ever experienced this?

[CdnInAz]

great vids, thanks for posting

Originally Posted by TCS_XDM

Dropping the slide without a loaded mag in a 1911 allows the full force of the recoil spring to slam a lot of parts together at the same time. When there is a loaded magazine the bullet being loaded actually helps slow the slide and reduce some of the force.

+1 on this, and I always thought that a secondary reason is that the casing into chamber will provide a softer cushion for the slide.

I always cringe when see/hear somebody just thumb the slide lock on an empty chamber, especially on a 1911. All that steel whacking together just does not sound right. Their gun, they can do what they want - I keep my mouth shut unless I know the shooter and think they might appreciate advise.

[cuba]

The guy in the youtube video with the crazy eyes has very limited knowledge on the functions of the 1911.

The only negatives concerning dry firing a 1911 is that when the firing pin is struck by the hammer with out a case in the chamber limiting it forward trajectory, it will travel further then the design intended it to travel, and it stops only when the thicker portion of the firing pin strikes the inside area of the firing pin breech hole and enough of of that kind of impact will mar and peen the thick back portion of the firing pin shaft, possibly causing it to eventually hanging up in the breech hole, but will not effect the sear in any way.