1911 hammer hard to pull back

[short round]

Assembling 1911, with new parts, it takes more than 10 pound to pull hammer back. Have tried with all parts installed & with just the hammer & strut & main spring. What could cause this ?

[mudpig]

Have you checked to see that the hammer rotates freely on the hammer pin? How about the mainspring and plunger moving smoothly in the housing? Is the strut rubbing against the back side of the grip safety? Do you have an extra power main spring installed?

Just a few things to check on.

[Stumpkiller]

The springs are usually 19# to 23#. That's not excessive strain to cock the hammer with the leverage it gives you. You want a hard hammer strike.

About the only "error" would be installing either of the plunger ends incorrectly so the shank wasn't in the spring when assembled. I don't think you could as the spring would bottom out before your replaced the retainer pin.

[short round]

I was using 23# spring, cut 3 coils off, it now a lot easier to pull hammer back. I don't like cutting springs, so I ordered some Wolff reduced power springs.