Quarter Cock

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Chickenman
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Quarter Cock

Post by Chickenman »

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.
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Texasdoc »

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 .
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Charles L. Cotton
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

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! :mad5

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Chickenman
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Chickenman »

Charles, is it quarter or half cock and did your experience make it to "never again" it might be interesting.
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Charles L. Cotton
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

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!

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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Kalrog »

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!
mr surveyor
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by mr surveyor »

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

Post by Rokyudai »

Interesting and I too have wondered the very same thing. Thanks for bringing it up.
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easy10
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by easy10 »

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.
flechero
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by flechero »

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! :mad5

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.
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carlson1
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by carlson1 »

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.
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easy10
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by easy10 »

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

Post by crazy2medic »

Condition 1 or 3 nothing else is safe!
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by Ed4032 »

I go off half cocked all the time.
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joe817
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Re: Quarter Cock

Post by joe817 »

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