New to the Hi-Power.. and need some help

[M-a-v]

Hi all just got my first Hi-Power a few weeks ago.. 1992 Mark III in 9mm.. love it.. shoots great, handles great, caries great.. hmm ok enough greats in there?
came with 2 13rd mags and I have since added 2 15rd Mec-Gar ones. all work really well. I'll have to get some pics up of this beu..

Here's where I need some help..
It started having some problems with the hammer not staying cocked.
example; mag is finished, slide is held open, put in a a fresh mag and hit the slide release/lock the slide goes forward and the hammer follows it into the half cocked position.

last trip to the range I was doing some rapid fire drills, and it started.
After 2-3 quick rounds the hammer would fall into the half cock position.
I would have to manually reach up and cock the hammer for keep firing. And after a few more rounds it happens again.. grrrr :|

Anyone have clue whats wrong.. or know of a good gunsmith in the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk, VA - Virginia Beach, VA etc...) that's good with Hi-Powers?

thanks
rgrds,
Mike

[BHP9]

Have you cleaned it thoroughly?

The sear lever (in the slide) may be sticking. Or the trigger lever channel may be gummed up.

Give her a good clean and lube and retry.

[TJx]

I would start by replacing the sear spring. $10.29 @ Midway and easy to replace.

[chuntaro]

Two real good pieces of advice there above. If the two combined do not provide the cure, do the safety checks that are basically the same as a 1911 minus those involving the grip safety.

[M-a-v]

Thanks info guys..
I have clean it, I would say a good cleaning, but i guess not thorough enough. I'll give it another good cleaning, especially the slide area where the sear lever is.

I did the 1911 safety check (had to look it up, since I don't own a 1911 yet http://coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm)
its definitely fails the sear engagement test

[dsf]

Originally Posted by M-a-v

Thanks info guys..
I have clean it, I would say a good cleaning, but i guess not thorough enough. I'll give it another good cleaning, especially the slide area where the sear lever is.

I did the 1911 safety check (had to look it up, since I don't own a 1911 yet http://coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm)
its definitely fails the sear engagement test

Are you saying that with the safety engaged a pull on the trigger releases the hammer?

As an aside, although not related to this function issue is the mag safety in place or has it been removed?

[M-a-v]

Originally Posted by dsf

Are you saying that with the safety engaged a pull on the trigger releases the hammer?

As an aside, although not related to this function issue is the mag safety in place or has it been removed?

When I have the safety engaged and pull and the trigger.. the hammer stays put. the trigger has a firm hard stop.. no mushiness.

The mag safety is still in place and as far as I can tell works fine.
the mag safety foot??/face has been worn down and was gritty, Same with the original mag faces. I've smoothed them out with a wire brush and 600 grit sandpaper.
Now this wouldn't effect the hammer issue would it??


So now that I've cleaned it thoroughly and lubed it.. the sear lever and the trigger lever channel are clean and seem to be working fine.
The issue still persists.. grrr.. its frustrating cause the rest of the gun operates fine, and there is nothing visible that seems broken or overly worn to suggest it is not.

I guess I'll be looking to replace a part or two or find a good gunsmith ..
Thanks again for the help

[dsf]

Originally Posted by M-a-v

When I have the safety engaged and pull and the trigger.. the hammer stays put. the trigger has a firm hard stop.. no mushiness.

The mag safety is still in place and as far as I can tell works fine.
the mag safety foot??/face has been worn down and was gritty, Same with the original mag faces. I've smoothed them out with a wire brush and 600 grit sandpaper.
Now this wouldn't effect the hammer issue would it??


So now that I've cleaned it thoroughly and lubed it.. the sear lever and the trigger lever channel are clean and seem to be working fine.
The issue still persists.. grrr.. its frustrating cause the rest of the gun operates fine, and there is nothing visible that seems broken or overly worn to suggest it is not.

I guess I'll be looking to replace a part or two or find a good gunsmith ..
Thanks again for the help

The magazine safety doesn't have anything to do with the hammer problem. I just wondered if the previous owner was inclined to disassemble the gun and do a little home gunsmithing and if so, maybe he was inclined to fiddle with the hammer.

Did you replace the sear spring? The forward pressure it exerts on the sear is crucial holding it fast against the hammer's SA notch. If it's tired the hammer may slip while if it's strong all may be well.

Can you "push off" the hammer from the full cock position?

If everything else is fine and the sear spring strong it may be that the sear, the hammer or both have been altered with the intent of getting an easier pull. I picked up a 70's BHP cheap because the hammer followed the slide. I replaced the hammer but as luck would have it the new hammer required a little build up of the safety/sear interface. This consequence is unfortunately not too unusual

[M-a-v]

@dsf .. yah I didn't think the mag safety had anything to do with the hammer.. just was not sure.. the friend I bought it from most likely did not do any modification to it, hes more of fire the gun a few times and put it in it's holster and back on the night table. now the original owner.. I have no clue

i haven't replace the sear spring yet. I probably will get the one TJx mentioned from Midway, they have good prices and shipping.

Originally Posted by dsf

Can you "push off" the hammer from the full cock position?

in the full cock position I an pull the hammer back a bit until it hits the tail and forward a bit to the full cock stop. I think that's normal thou.
but if i push it forward (toward the firing pin) with force, it will snap or fall to the half cock position.. now that's interesting...

[dsf]

Originally Posted by M-a-v

@dsf .. yah I didn't think the mag safety had anything to do with the hammer.. just was not sure.. the friend I bought it from most likely did not do any modification to it, hes more of fire the gun a few times and put it in it's holster and back on the night table. now the original owner.. I have no clue

i haven't replace the sear spring yet. I probably will get the one TJx mentioned from Midway, they have good prices and shipping.


in the full cock position I an pull the hammer back a bit until it hits the tail and forward a bit to the full cock stop. I think that's normal thou.
but if i push it forward (toward the firing pin) with force, it will snap or fall to the half cock position.now that's interesting...

That's most likely the problem. Again, maybe the hammer full cock notch is worn or the sear was worn, maybe the previous owner bought it used and someone worked on it - or the sear spring is weak. Trying the spring first would be best.

[chuntaro]

Originally Posted by dsf

That's most likely the problem. Again, maybe the hammer full cock notch is worn or the sear was worn, maybe the previous owner bought it used and someone worked on it - or the sear spring is weak. Trying the spring first would be best.

Like the man said. Sear spring next before anything else!