Double slam fire in 1911

[GeauxLSU]

So yesterday I took my wife shooting. She's NOT very comfortable with handguns yet so we worked up from a .22 revolver, .380, 9mm to the 1911 (.45acp). On the very first mag, the gun slam fired as she released the slide! I was watching her and told her she must have touched the trigger. Thank God we had JUST had the "always pointed in a safe direction" conversation, but needless to say it shook her (and me) up pretty good. I really hate that for her. She got through about 4 rounds and said "no thanks". I was surprised she wanted to pull the trigger at all after that. I finished firing it. Loaded another couple mags without issue. THEN.... I had just 2 rounds left in this particular box and loaded them. Released the slide and it did it again and immediately fired BOTH rounds! Two thoughts came to mind. 1) I had no idea a 1911 could cycle that fast (I mean it was instantaneous ) and 2) What in the world would have happened if I had a full 8 rounds loaded, and was at a public range?

I "assume" it's a bad sear and I'll call Remington tomorrow but any other ideas?

It's a WW2 vintage Remington 1911A1 (that despite it's age I bet hasn't had 2,000 rounds fired through it, though yeah, who really knows) and it was some very old (30 years+) reloads. I haven't shot this gun much, probably less 500 rounds but have never had this issue before (obviously).

 

[GeauxLSU]

So update... now I notice when using the slide release (unloaded mag in) with hand OFF the beavertail safety, hammer does not drop. With hand on the safety, it DOES fall, most every time.

 

[cimino289]

That's crazy, good to hear it didn't hurt anyone.

 

[jeep78]

Put a new sear spring in it, and inspect the hammer and sear for a "trigger job", replace as necessary.

 

[albatros43]

1911s...

 

[Allsmiles]

Put a new sear spring in it, and inspect the hammer and sear for a "trigger job", replace as necessary.

I got one cerakoted (hammer included) a while back and the hammer would not catch properly. It would follow and when it caught, you could push it forward without any issues. I didn't shoot it until everything safe. Replaced all the internals with Wilson Combat and now it is GTG. You might also check the firing pin channel/spring and make sure there isn't crap in there keeping the FP from moving back from breech face. Glad no one was hurt and you were practicing good muzzle discipline.

 

[Boz1911]

Thorough inspection but first question would be if the gun has had any modifications? Probably replace the hammer spring to start and recheck.

 

[bulletpaluza]

Should have bought an AK!


sorry but I had to.

Glad everyone is safe scary stuff.

 

[cmshoot]

An issue with one or more of the following: sear spring/sear/hammer hooks.

I saw a competition 1911 go full auto in the Corps after a failure of the sear nose. The cyclic rate is scary fast. 5 rounds so fast it sounded like an A-10.

Take it to a reputable 'smith and have the ignition system replaced. Steels back then aren't quite what the steels today are.

 

[boxer90]

1911 has long been popular as an "expedient" platform.

http://www.guns.com/2012/09/26/lebman-1911-machine-pistol/

1000 rounds per minute over 80 years ago.

Perhaps the reloads were a bit too hot and caused some damage?