Trigger replacement S&W 1911 instruction.

[pistol_jeff]

I am looking for instructions on removing or replacing the trigger on my S&W 1911. My trigger has a sharp edge around the hole in the trigger. I want to round this out or replace the trigger. Are there web instructions? What trigger should I get to replace the factory trigger?

Thank you
Jeff

[Catbird]

You might want to check out the below site and go to the disassembly instructions --

http://www.m1911.org/

I replaced the trigger in my SW1911 with an STI carbon-fiber trigger with an aluminum bow. I didn't have any unusual fitting problems.

[Yo]

Catbird--

How do you like the STI trigger? My stock trigger has some lateral and vertical play that is a little annoying during slow fire. I'm trying to decide between the STI, and the Brownells' inhouse Videcki clone. The Brownells is very cheap BTW, about $15 with my discount. But I like the idea of the carbon trigger shoe--it should have less drag on the frame sides, yes?

BTW this is about the only thing I want to change about the gun. Otherwise it is pretty much flawless. Accurate, good mags, reliable, nice finish, trigger 3.8lbs and CRISP.

I'm friend with a local smith who shoots $2500 customs. He tried my gun and said, "well, my grip safety engages a little smoother, but basically the Smith shoots just as good as my Les Baer". High praise indeed.

[Catbird]

Yo -
I'm very happy with the STI trigger. It was almost a drop-in fit. All that was required was a tiny bit of filing on the top and bottom surfaces of the shoe. It also has the overtravel adjustment screw.

BTW, while apart, I also took the opportunity to remove the firing pin safety because I could sometimes feel a slight hitch in the trigger if the grip safety was not depressed hard enough. Now it's perfect.

No other mods...I even love the rubber grips.

[phxtravis]

Link for disassembly (http://www.marstar.ca/AssemblyColt1911.htm)

[GoldenLoki]

Try this LINK (http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/triggers.html)

This should help.

GL

[Yo]

Thanks Loki--Very helpful and clear link.

Re the SW1911. A friend who is a pretty good 1911 smith offered to "massage" my factory trigger, no charge. He was able to remove all the vertical play by adding a little JB weld top and bottom. This really did make a noticeable difference in slow fire--before I'd get a different "feel" depending on the vertical position of my fingertip.

He did suggest ultimately replacing the trigger. He said the factory part had a "dead" feeling bow, and the shoe was too narrow and very rough in finish. To our surprise the trigger track in the frame he said was pretty smooth and there were no burrs.

I'm tempted to remove the F-Pin safety. I may wait on this as I use it as a defense gun too. If it were just a bullseye gun, I'd take the trigger down to 2 lbs and "liberate" the safety for sure.

[GoldenLoki]

Originally posted by Yo
I'm trying to decide between the STI, and the Brownells' inhouse Videcki clone.

I'd go with the Videki, in fact I did ;f

http://goldenloki.com/guns/smith/1911l.jpg

A couple MORE PICS of the S&W 1911 (http://www.goldenloki.com/guns/smith/1911.htm)

I really like the look and feel of them.

GL

[Yo]

Loki--

Is that the long or short trigger? That looks like the length I want.

Oh, BTW, SW is now saying that the Target model 1911 has Wolff springs, so I curious when you did your spring swap, what difference did you feel?

What's involved in taking out the F-Pin Safety. I've felt that "little hitch" before.

[GoldenLoki]

It is the long trigger.

I changed out the springs at the same time I did a tigger job on it. The recoil spring had about 2500 rounds on it, so that was ready for a swap. The sear spring I took out definately was not a Wolff. You can adjust about any sear spring to give you the feel you want, but quality parts like Wolff just stay there longer. I wouldn't have changed the sear or mainspring if I hadn't been inside doing the trigger work. The stock parts were working fine. I guess I just like to mess around with things ;f

I can't help with bypassing the safety, I haven't ever done it... at least not yet.

GL

[pistol_jeff]

Thanks for all the input. I am new at 1911s and how they come apart. I like to study the diagrams before I dig into the disassembly. The links and pictures are helpful.
Pistol_jeff