Editing How to function check a 1911

The following steps are necessary when evaluating any [[M1911]]-type [[pistol]] that you plan on buying, in order to verify that the pistol is in [[gun safety|safe]] working condition. Even if ''you'' have no plans to ever shoot the pistol, by verifying the working condition of the gun you will get an idea as to its true condition, and also feel assured that you are buying a real working [[firearm]] and not just an expensive paperweight. If the pistol fails these safety checks and you plan on purchasing it anyway, you '''MUST''' either have it repaired by a competent [[pistolsmith]] or else make sure that live [[ammunition]] is never fired in the pistol. Either find a tasteful way to mark it as being "not safe to fire", or else disable the firing mechanism completely.

It should also be understood that merely passing these safety checks does '''NOT''' guarantee that the pistol in question is safe to fire. Due to other factors such as improper [[headspace]], metallurgical flaws, etc. it is still necessary to have a pistolsmith check the firearm over before firing live ammunition in it. These safety checks are merely for your use at the time of sale, in order to do a quick verification that there is nothing seriously wrong with the pistol. Once again, have a pistolsmith check over ANY used gun you buy before taking it to the range!

{| class="toccolours"
| align="center" style="background:#9BCD9B;" colspan="2"|<big>'''SAFETY WARNING:''' Performing these checks involves actuating the pistol's firing mechanism. '''DO NOT''' attempt any of these checks if you are not completely familiar with the operation of an M1911-type handgun. These checks are also only applicable to U.S. military-issue M1911/M1911A1 pistols, '''NOT''' any other types or models of firearms even if they may appear similar in appearance or operation. '''DO NOT ATTEMPT THESE CHECKS UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE MADE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE GUN IS UNLOADED. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW PROPERLY UNLOAD THIS TYPE OF PISTOL YOU MUST FIRST SEEK THE ADVICE OF A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL. THE AUTHORS OF THIS WEBSITE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER YOUR USE OF COMMON SENSE AND KNOWLEDGE OF FIREARMS, AND AS A RESULT [[Gunsopedia:Risk disclaimer|NO LIABILITY IS EXPRESSED NOR IMPLIED]].''' Safety involving the following procedures is SOLELY the responsibility of, and can be controlled only by the person actually handling the firearm.
|-
| [[File:1911 mag check.jpg]]
| '''SAFETY FIRST: DO NOT''' attempt any of the following safety checks until you have made '''ABSOLUTELY''' certain that the gun is unloaded! Point the gun is a safe direction, then:

# FIRST completely remove the [[magazine]].
# Lock the [[pistol slide|slide]] back, engaging the [[slide stop]].
# LOOK into the [[chamber]] to ensure that no live [[cartridge|round]] is present. Feel into the chamber with the tip of your little finger if you have to.

Even after verifying that you are holding an unloaded gun, '''always keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction while performing the following tests.'''
|-
| [[File:1911 fire check.jpg]]
| '''BASIC TEST:''' Slide forward, [[hammer]] cocked, thumb [[safety (device)|safety]] off, holding pistol normally with firing hand. Pull [[trigger]]- hammer should fall.
|-
| [[File:1911 function 1.jpg]]
| '''FUNCTIONING TEST:''' Still holding gun in the firing hand, leave trigger pressed and pull slide back.
|-
| [[File:1911 function 2.jpg]]
| Release slide, keeping trigger pressed. Hammer should now be fully cocked. Release trigger, then pull it again. Hammer should fall.
|-
| [[File:1911 half cock.jpg]]
| '''HALF-COCK TEST:''' Using thumb, pull hammer back until the first audible click. Hammer should be at [[half-cock]] notch. Grip gun normally, attempt to pull trigger. Hammer should '''NOT''' fall for any reason, unless the gun is a Series 80 commercial. These guns have a re-designed half-cock notch that engages near the at-rest position, thus the hammer cannot fall hard enough to strike the firing pin with force. '''MILITARY GUNS WILL ALWAYS USE THE OLDER HALF-COCK NOTCH, WHICH SHOULD NEVER ALLOW THE HAMMER TO FALL.'''
|-
| [[File:1911 slidelock.jpg]]
| '''SEAR ENGAGEMENT TEST:''' Lock the slide back, grip gun normally, then release the slide stop, allowing slide to slam home with force. The hammer should '''NOT''' fall for any reason. If it does then the hammer/[[sear]] engagement is too weak. Repeat test once again to be sure.

{| class="toccolours"
|width="85"|[[File:Miss Manners.jpg|75px|Remember your manners!]] || Bear in mind that the gun's current owner may not appreciate seeing the slide being slammed home on an empty chamber in this fashion, even though it is a critical safety check. Tell the owner what you intend to do beforehand and why, and limit it to one or two attempts.
|}
|-
| [[File:1911 thumb safety.jpg]]
| '''THUMB SAFETY CHECK:''' Holding gun normally with firing hand, slide forward, hammer cocked, thumb safety ON. Attempt to pull trigger. The hammer should not fall, nor should you feel any perceptible movement of internal parts. If you squeezed the trigger and it didn't come to a quick, hard stop (i.e. the trigger felt mushy) then there may have been some sear movement.

Release trigger, disengage thumb safety. Hammer still should not fall. If it does the thumb safety and/or sear is faulty.
|-
| [[File:1911 grip safety.jpg]]
| '''GRIP SAFETY TEST:''' Hammer cocked, slide forward, thumb safety OFF. Hold the gun so as to not depress the grip safety. Attempt to pull trigger. Hammer should not fall. If it does the grip safety is worn or has been deactivated.
|-
| [[File:1911 disconnect.jpg]]
| '''DISCONNECTOR TEST:''' Slide forward, hammer back, thumb safety OFF. Grip gun normally with firing hand, while pulling slide back 1/4" with support hand. Pull trigger. Hammer should not fall. Repeat test by pulling slide all the way back, then releasing it slowly, pulling trigger every 1/2" of slide movement. The hammer should NOT fall until the slide has returned to the full forward position. If it does then the disconnector is worn. '''DO NOT''' fire the pistol until it is repaired, or else it may possibly go into firing uncontrollable bursts or go completely "full-auto".
|}

[[category:how to]]
[[category:gun safety]]