SA 1911's

smyrna · Post by **smyrna** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:20 pm

Anyone know if these pistols have the extra safety like the series 80 Colts or are they like the early colts?

TexAg08 · Post by **TexAg08** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:41 pm

When you say SA do you mean Springfield Armory or Single Action? Most all of the new 1911 have some sort of firing pin safety or a drop safety. Someone please correct me if Im wrong.

htxred · Post by **htxred** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:47 pm

SA 1911's have grip safety, and thumb safety. the firepin safety _______ causes a lot of probelsm with 1911s so i think most manufactures dont bother.

Thane · Post by **Thane** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:38 pm

Most, if not all, Springfield Armory 1911s do NOT have the firing-pin block.

Frankly, I prefer it that way. With the hammer back and thumb safety engaged, I'll break the trigger before I discharge the weapon. The firing pin block just needlessly complicates the mechanism.

smyrna · Post by **smyrna** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:42 pm

SA=Springfield Armory...Sorry, I should have clarified.

Mithras61 · Post by **Mithras61** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:29 pm

The SA 1911A1 GI model uses a titanium firing pin with a heavy spring, combined with a standard grip safety and a manual thumb safety. This prevents the weapon from firing because of being dropped on the hammer with the hammer down and the safety disengaged. It actually meets CA specs for a single-action semi-atomatic pistol (I think that's a drop of 11 feet onto a hard surface on the hammer with a round in the chamber and no discharge from the drop).

It also has the integral key-lock in the mainspring housing that can be engaged to disable the weapon even if all of the others safeties are disengaged.

OTOH, it's a 1911A1. It won't "go off" by itself, and if the safeties are engaged, it's one of the safest firearms around - provided that the PRIMARY safety (your grey matter) is engaged when the weapon is armed...

BobCat · Post by **BobCat** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:01 am

Off-topic but also note that, if the key lock offends your sensibilities, the mainspring housing and spring are easily replaced with "regular" ones, totally eliminating the lock. You can find step-by-step instrutions with pictures at one of the 1911 forum web sites. I only mention this in case you are looking at a Springfield and are put off by the lock thing - no need to be.