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never asked but always wondered- why was the 1911 designed with a quarter cock position for the hammer. Form follows function so it must have a functiuon. Do some people carry in this mode and if so would someone please shed some light on what the upside or downside of this condition could be functionally and from a safety perspective.

Chickenman, you did it now you got me thinking about that. It would be something I will have to research and see if I can find a anwser to that .

It's designed to "catch" the hammer if it accidentally falls. This can happen if your thumb slips off the hammer while thumb-cocking the hammer, or with some types of sear failures.

However, if the sear breaks, there is nothing to catch the half-cock notch on the hammer and the gun will fire. Trust me, I got that lesson in spades 4 weeks ago!

Chas.

Charles, is it quarter or half cock and did your experience make it to "never again" it might be interesting.

Chickenman wrote:Charles, is it quarter or half cock and did your experience make it to "never again" it might be interesting.

I've always heard it referred to as "half cock" even though the hammer is more than 50% through its arc when it stops. No, I haven't posting anything on the "event" but I guess I should. I wish I had taken a photo of my thumb after getting whacked by the slide!

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

Chickenman wrote:Charles, is it quarter or half cock and did your experience make it to "never again" it might be interesting.

I've always heard it referred to as "half cock" even though the hammer is more than 50% through its arc when it stops. No, I haven't posting anything on the "event" but I guess I should. I wish I had taken a photo of my thumb after getting whacked by the slide!

Chas.

I'm inferring a few things here - glad you are alright, Charles!

I would like to hear the whole story on this one as it should be educational for all of us 1911 fans.

Interesting and I too have wondered the very same thing. Thanks for bringing it up.

Did ya'll settle on the purpose of the quarter cock? I've heard is used for de-cocking and heard its backup catch for sear failure.

Charles L. Cotton wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:02 pm However, if the sear breaks, there is nothing to catch the half-cock notch on the hammer and the gun will fire. Trust me, I got that lesson in spades 4 weeks ago!

Chas.

You've probably seen it...
http://www.m-guns.com/tools.php click "fall arrest safety" at the bottom. Ned Christiansen's safety which prevents that exact thing.

Just so everyone is clear the 1911 is not made to carry in the half cocked position.

I have seen one or two not very many carrying a 1911 at the half cocked position. This is very dangerous.

Springfields have a quarter cock, 3 shelves/notches on the hammer. No mention of it in the manuals.

Condition 1 or 3 nothing else is safe!

I go off half cocked all the time.

Ed4032 wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 8:47 am I go off half cocked all the time.

Good one!