Trigger Overtravel

[Tangram]

I'd appreciate tips and advice on setting trigger overtravel on a 1911.

Thanks,

Rick

[JD45]

I hope you get some good tips. I have always wondered about overtravel myself.

Making the adjustment is easy. The hard part is knowing how much is best. I read where J. Barnhart advises to give your trigger some extra overtravel and see if your shots center better.

The screw in mine can't be moved. Time for the torch I guess.

[Action Pistolero]

Tangram,

The test to see if the over travel screw is turned in too far is to hold the hammer back with your left thumb and hold the trigger back. Slowly release the hammer. If you feel the hammer catch on something turn the screw out a little. Repeat the process until you no longer feel that catch. The catch that you are feeling is the hammer hooks hitting the sear. That's why you can turn that screw in far enough so that the gun will not fire. If you don't remove the catch you will mess up a good trigger job.

Kevin

[Tangram]

Thanks, letting the hammer down slowly is very smooth so I'm good to go.

("Good to go" brought to mind by the phrase mavens at Things I Hate.)

[diehli]

I like a little overtravel beyond what's necessary for function as I tend to jostle the sights less when breaking a shot.

[Brazos Custom]

There is some info here:

Trigger tuning tips

[shred]

The quick test I use is to slowly pull the trigger with the hammer down. If I feel the initial take-up, then a very short bit of increased resistance (picking up the second leaf of the spring) before stopping on the mag catch, I know it's good.