Taurus PT1911 hammer lock?

[Ajcrash]

I recently picked up a used Taurus PT1911 and so far I like most everything about it. With one major exception: the hammer lock.

At the range yesterday I had the lock engage on me while I was firing, no big deal it had happened to me before with this gun. But to me this makes the pistol less than reliable.

I knew this would be a issue when I bought it, so I'm not overly ticked off about it, but I would like to disable the lock somehow.

The way I see it I have a few options when it comes to disabling the lock, but I'd like some insight on it from others more familiar with the 1911 than myself.

Option one: would be to replace the hammer and sear.

Option two: pull the existing hammer out and see if I can possibly remove the mechanism, then fill the cavity with JB-weld.

Option three: is to unlock the mechanism and drop some loc-tite, or super glue into the mechanism freezing it in the unlocked position.

Obviously options 2 & 3 would be the cheaper options.

What do you guys think?

[bigun]

I wouldnt half ass it get the new hammer & sear, the other options may work but your jerry riggged hammer could fail down the line at a inopportune moment.

[saltysquid]

Hammer lock? Are you talking about the series 80 type firing pin safety? If so it's very easy to remove those and replace it with a series 80 replacement shim by tj's from brownells, I do that on any series 80 guns I have. Changing the hammer and sear will have NO affect whatsoever on the series 80, or series 80 type like taurus, stuff.

1911 AUTO FRAME SLOT BLANK at Brownells=

I an mot sure by what you are calling it if that is what you are talking about but the series 80 fps is not a hammer lock. It has no effect at all on the hammer. Did your hammer lock in the cocked position? The firing pin safety does not cause that. The hammer will still fall like normal but the firing pin will not go forward. If your hammer locked back for some reason then the firing pin safety is not the problem. I have NEVER heard of a series 80, or 80 type, gun not firing because of the firing pin safety when pulling the trigger as it actuated when pulling the trigger. The swartz system on s&W's and kimbers, can as it's actuated by the grip safety and not the trigger.

Please explain more what is actually happening as it could be that someone "home gunsmithed" it and messed up the hammer and sear if the hammer is being locked. Have you taken it apart to see if it looks like someone has "hacked" on it?

[Ajcrash]

Originally Posted by saltysquid

Hammer lock? Are you talking about the series 80 firing pin block? If so it's very easy to remove those and replace it with a series 80 replacement shim by tj's from brownells, I do that on any series 80 I have. Changing the hammer and sear will have NO affect whatsoever on the series 80 stuff.

I an mot sure by what you are calling it if that is what you are talking about but the series 80 fps is not a hammer lock. It has no effect at all on the hammer. Did your hammer lock in the cocked position? The series 80 stuff do not cause that. The hammer will still fall like normal but the firing pin will not go forward. If your hammer locked back for some reason then the series 80 stuff is not the problem. I have NEVER heard of a series 80 gun not firing because of the series 80 stuff when pulling the trigger as it actuated when pulling the trigger. The swartz system on s&W's and kimbers, can as it's actuated by the grip safety.

Please explain more what is actually happening as it could be that someone "home gunsmithed" it and messed up the hammer and sear if the hammer is being locked. Have you taken it apart to see if it looks like someone has "hacked" on it?

I have not taken it apart to check, but I do know where, and who the pistol came from and I can say 100% that the guy did not do anything to the pistol aside from changing the grips. What I am referring to when I said "Hammer lock" is the Taurus Security System (Taurus International Manufacturing Inc). I called it the hammer lock mainly because that is where the lock is located, in the hammer.

The hammer locked back in the half-cock position, and neither the hammer, or slide would budge until I got the key and unlocked the security system. It is not the series 80 FPB, nor is it the swartz system.

[Ajcrash]

Originally Posted by bigun

I wouldnt half ass it get the new hammer & sear, the other options may work but your jerry riggged hammer could fail down the line at a inopportune moment.

Yeah, that's probably the best option with out a doubt. As far as failing at an inopportune moment goes though... it already is. Fortunately my target was paper, and not an intruder.

[ElrodCod]

Even Clint Smith himself ("locks are here to stay, get over it") changed out the hammer on his Taurus 1911.

[saltysquid]

Well I'll be switched, I stand corrected AJ. I had no idea the pt1911 has the hammer lock that the revolvers have, then again I have not owned or shot one. You were probably calling it correct, I was off track.

Originally Posted by Ajcrash

I have not taken it apart to check, but I do know where, and who the pistol came from and I can say 100% that the guy did not do anything to the pistol aside from changing the grips. What I am referring to when I said "Hammer lock" is the Taurus Security System (Taurus International Manufacturing Inc). I called it the hammer lock mainly because that is where the lock is located, in the hammer.

The hammer locked back in the half-cock position, and neither the hammer, or slide would budge until I got the key and unlocked the security system. It is not the series 80 FPB, nor is it the swartz system.

[Badshot]

Let me know what you end up doing AJ, I've got the same concern, though not had it happen..yet

[Tyoung]

I had the changed out the hammer and sear changed out on mine ofter I got it. I did it because I don't like the look of the factory hammer.

[Ajcrash]

Originally Posted by Badshot

Let me know what you end up doing AJ, I've got the same concern, though not had it happen..yet

I'm thinking I'll be switching out the hammer and sear. I don't see the need to half ass something on a gun.... just doesn't seem right. Thanks Bigun for pointing that out to me.... makes perfect sense.

Saltysquid: I could have very well been wrong in my nomenclature, I'm a 1911 noob. Technically I guess I should have referred to it as the Taurus Security System, to avoid any confusion.