[Tee]

I have recently aquired a Colt Model 70 1911. Can anyone tell me when you need to use the half cocked hammer saftey.What is the safest way to uncock the gun while loaded. Thanks Tee

 

[RGL01]

NEVER try to uncock the gun while it is loaded. Drop the magazine, then rack the slide to unload the chamber.

My understanding is that the half-cock notch is there just in case of sear failure as it will catch the hammer, preventing the gun from firing.

 

[dSmith.45]

Even though the hammer is external I seldom, if ever actually touch it with my fingers. If you're going to carry it loaded cocked & locked is the way to do so ( IMO) IF not condtion one than carry it condition 3 ( chamber empty, hammer down) When I clear the gun I drop the magazine, retract the slide, inspect chamber, close slide point pistol toward ground and pull trigger.

This routine works for me, your milage may vary

 

[dsk]

The half-cock notch is NOT a safety position, period. Its sole purpose is to catch the hammer should it fail to fully cock, otherwise the piece would go full-auto. I've had some pistols fail like this several times, and each time it was the half-cock notch that kept me from having to go change my shorts afterwards.

 

[Tee]

Thanks for the feedback, I only shoot the gun at the range,I dont carry it loaded. I've been dropping the clip and racking it to empty the last round. I couldn't figure out the reason for the half cocked position. Tee

 

[RGL01]

DSK,
Do you know why your 1911s failed to go to full cock on those occasions, and has it made you a proponent of the Series 80?