Vancouver IPSC incident.

[bigblue]

Here's an example of a drop test on a 1911 that results in a discharge. Drop occurs at 0:29.

Right but series 70 or 80?

 

[Picton]

Experimental (primed case)

Cool. Useful, too.

 

[drgrant]

Right but series 70 or 80?

Series 70 obviously. 80 has an fpb in it the pin can't move.

 

[G&N Gunsmithing at Gartman Arms.]

Where was this?

I don't want to out anyone either, but disbelief is a good word for how I felt when I watched that happen. It was a honest mistake, but it definitely could have been a dangerous one. I thought the R.O. dealt with it pretty quickly and discreetly

 

[bigblue]

Series 70 obviously. 80 has an fpb in it the pin can't move.

Clearly, that's my point. rofl

 

[M1911]

"Able to?" Was this an experimental sort of thing, or an error?

Gunsmith Drake Oldham did a rather exhaustive set of drop testing on Series 70 style 1911s. As Rob mentioned, he used a primed case in the chamber.

The net result is that if you drop a Series 70 1911 on a hard surface from enough height, it will discharge. The required height can be quite low. A lighter firing pin and a stiffer firing pin retaining spring will significantly improve this.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

The net result is that if you drop a Series 70 1911 on a hard surface from enough height, it will discharge.

A series 80 can discharge if slammed against an MRI machine.

http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/ajr.178.5.1781092

The article mentions the gun was a Colt 1991A1 which is a series 80 gun, and the article mentions the presence of the firing pin block. The gun discharged with the hammer back and safety engaged.

I still have a 1911 carry holster I bought from one of the authors of that article 20+ years ago.

 

[Supermoto]

Gunsmith Drake Oldham did a rather exhaustive set of drop testing on Series 70 style 1911s. As Rob mentioned, he used a primed case in the chamber.

The net result is that if you drop a Series 70 1911 on a hard surface from enough height, it will discharge. The required height can be quite low. A lighter firing pin and a stiffer firing pin retaining spring will significantly improve this.

One thing that I noticed when playing around with super light revolver triggers, a primer only case will light off easier than a complete round