Colt hammers and hammer bite

[Scott Gahimer]

A friend asked for some photos of hammers regarding the subject of hammer bite. So I shot some images of the different Colt hammers. It'll take a couple posts to show the 15 images.

Colt's first variation M1911 hammer




Colt's 2nd style hammer; long with sharp back edge




Colt's 3rd and final style M1911 hammer; long with rounded edge




I'll show the M1911A1 hammers and grip safety next post.

---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------

In the 1924 military pistols, Colt extended the length of the grip safety tang. The hammer remained essentially the same as the late M1911 variation.




In 1939, Colt went back to a short hammer; about the same length as the 1st style M1911 hammer. The extended grip safety tang and shorter hammer was the final change as far as hammer bite was concerned. The late, narrow spur Colt M1911A1 hammer simply provided less surface to cock the hammer.

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[Bill Hollinger]

I've got really big hands but I've always been cognoscente of that so I've always been real careful gripping the 1911. With the hammer locked back, as in your photos, they go a little further down to get that bite. BTW, very nice looking 1911s.....as usual! Thanks