Hand Pounding by 1911 Hammer Spur

quantum36 · October 4th, 2006, 06:03 PM

Although I thoroughly enjoy shooting my 1911 Colt National Match (1968 Vintage), my hand really takes a beating.

After putting through 150 rounds last weekend, the web between my thumb and forefinger was bleeding. I know that it was caused by the hammer since there was blood on the spur.

Is this normal? Or do I have a fat hand?

Maybe I will invest in some shooters gloves.

HotGuns · October 4th, 2006, 06:15 PM

You have fat hands...

I've got the same problem. All of my Government models have the extended beavertail. This totally eliminates the "hammer bite" that is so common to many folks.

Bud White · October 4th, 2006, 07:04 PM

fathands i got that problem to go with gloves or have a beavertail installed

QKShooter · October 4th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Since you said that you do have a vintage Nat Match then mayhaps you don't want to alter the frame. There a style of grip safety that is like a custom beavertail. You can switch out your factory grip safety and pop in that one as it needs no modifications made to the frame.
It does not look super great but, it works. I've not seen one for a some years though...of course I haven't really been searching for one either.

raevan · October 5th, 2006, 12:33 AM

Part of the problem stems from how you hold it. If you shoot with a high thumb position you are more likely to experience hammer bite.
If you shoot with low thumb the web is position lower. A lower thumb position is still no guarentee of not being bitten, the size of the hand has a lot to do with it. This is a problem that has been with the 1911 since first designed, it was relieved somewhat when it was redesigned as 1911a1. All people who buy a GI pistol take that chance. It was because of hammer bite that the Beavertail was created. That is why most 1911 have beavertails. Only those that are to old GI specs don't beavertails.

Captain Crunch · October 5th, 2006, 01:48 AM

Colt makes a wide grip safety that is a drop-in part on every Colt commercial Government Model pistol that I've installed it on. It totally eliminates hammer bite.

It is not a beavertial or duckbill configuration part. It's available from Gil Hebard Guns, 125 Public Square, Knoxville, Illinois, 61448. This is strictly a mail order business, they have no on-line sales.

The price was $27.00 the last time I bought one, about 2 years ago.

Whirlwind06 · October 6th, 2006, 05:35 PM

I think Wilson also has a drop in beaver tail safety.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_beaver...afeties_di.asp

JD · October 6th, 2006, 06:32 PM

put it in the safe, buy a new one with a beaver tail. Pre 70 NMs are getting very very rare.

Redneck Repairs · October 6th, 2006, 06:51 PM

qk and the feller who linked wilson pretty much said it all .. get a drop inn mudflap for it and put the original grip safety in the box you hopefully have for it .. other than that .. well since the darlin seems to bite you how about a trade LOL

raevan · October 6th, 2006, 08:19 PM

Save it for your collection, Buy a Taurus to shoot. The more I see about the Taurus the more I like them. I just gotta save the money.

October 4th, 2006, 06:03 PM	#1
quantum36 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern Alabama Posts: 142	Hand Pounding by 1911 Hammer Spur Although I thoroughly enjoy shooting my 1911 Colt National Match (1968 Vintage), my hand really takes a beating. After putting through 150 rounds last weekend, the web between my thumb and forefinger was bleeding. I know that it was caused by the hammer since there was blood on the spur. Is this normal? Or do I have a fat hand? Maybe I will invest in some shooters gloves. __________________ G36 SA 1911 .45 High Cap Colt 1911 .45 National Match NRA Lifetime Member Member USCCA Navy Veteran

October 4th, 2006, 06:15 PM	#2
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,883	You have fat hands... I've got the same problem. All of my Government models have the extended beavertail. This totally eliminates the "hammer bite" that is so common to many folks. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. If you are a socialist loving,left wing, limp wristed,girly man that is afraid to hear the truth and you whine about being "offended" because you arent smart enough to handle the truth, go find someone else to talk to...

October 5th, 2006, 01:48 AM	#6
Captain Crunch Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montana, The Treasure State Posts: 7,139	Colt makes a wide grip safety that is a drop-in part on every Colt commercial Government Model pistol that I've installed it on. It totally eliminates hammer bite. It is not a beavertial or duckbill configuration part. It's available from Gil Hebard Guns, 125 Public Square, Knoxville, Illinois, 61448. This is strictly a mail order business, they have no on-line sales. The price was $27.00 the last time I bought one, about 2 years ago. __________________ Memo to the President: I'll keep my guns, money & freedom... You can keep the "change!" Terry Last edited by Captain Crunch; October 5th, 2006 at 01:49 PM..

October 6th, 2006, 06:32 PM	#8
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedford County Virginia Posts: 9,479	put it in the safe, buy a new one with a beaver tail. Pre 70 NMs are getting very very rare. __________________ Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

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October 4th, 2006, 07:04 PM	#3
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	fathands i got that problem to go with gloves or have a beavertail installed

October 4th, 2006, 09:08 PM	#4
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 20,480	Since you said that you do have a vintage Nat Match then mayhaps you don't want to alter the frame. There a style of grip safety that is like a custom beavertail. You can switch out your factory grip safety and pop in that one as it needs no modifications made to the frame. It does not look super great but, it works. I've not seen one for a some years though...of course I haven't really been searching for one either.

October 5th, 2006, 12:33 AM	#5
raevan VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: washington Posts: 4,320	Part of the problem stems from how you hold it. If you shoot with a high thumb position you are more likely to experience hammer bite. If you shoot with low thumb the web is position lower. A lower thumb position is still no guarentee of not being bitten, the size of the hand has a lot to do with it. This is a problem that has been with the 1911 since first designed, it was relieved somewhat when it was redesigned as 1911a1. All people who buy a GI pistol take that chance. It was because of hammer bite that the Beavertail was created. That is why most 1911 have beavertails. Only those that are to old GI specs don't beavertails.

October 6th, 2006, 05:35 PM	#7
Whirlwind06 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 115	I think Wilson also has a drop in beaver tail safety. http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_beaver...afeties_di.asp

October 6th, 2006, 06:51 PM	#9
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	qk and the feller who linked wilson pretty much said it all .. get a drop inn mudflap for it and put the original grip safety in the box you hopefully have for it .. other than that .. well since the darlin seems to bite you how about a trade LOL

October 6th, 2006, 08:19 PM	#10
raevan VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: washington Posts: 4,320	Save it for your collection, Buy a Taurus to shoot. The more I see about the Taurus the more I like them. I just gotta save the money.