APEX TACTICAL SPECIALTIES INC. - 1911 Classic Government Hammer

Fit a Les Baer perfectly. Didn't even change the trigger pull weight.

Ten, or twelve years ago I bought a Para GI Expert which turned out to be a very good gun for the price -- with the exception of the trigger. The trigger was rough, heavy and gritty, and made an otherwise nice pistol a chore to shoot well. I also disliked the skeletonized hammer, both for its look, and the spur being too short and at the wrong angle for easy cocking. The Apex hammer (and the EGW sear the Apex website recommends to go with it -- Brownells # 296-100-002WB) cured all this. The trigger has gone from rough and heavy to light and smooth -- the spur hammer gives it more of an original look, and makes it considerably easier to thumb-cock.

John Moses Browning got it right. The unmodified 1911 A1 is a work of art and an ingenious design in firearms engineering. As 1911 aficionados, however, we all want to try our hand at modifying this iconic pistol. Everybody wants to try it. For me nowadays, though, it's not so much as modifying as it is upgrading. I am actually returning my 1911s back towards the original design. The main reason is that, in my opinion, all these gaming modifications on a defense gun are not needed. The other is that they destroy the beautiful lines of the original design. Some companies have realized this and are coming out with modern upgraded versions of the original parts. This GI spur hammer from Apex Tactical is an excellent example. You will have to get a standard GI grip safety, but it is worth it. It is very well made using top grade steel. It is finished in matte black that can go with a black gun or a stainless gun. I have both and they look great on each gun. It looks better than the older part in a way that it seems modern at the same time even though it is a GI style hammer. Old and modern, hard to explain, but you will see when you get yours. The halfcocked notch is hooked, so it will work for any 70 series style 1911. The hammer hooks for sear engagement are cut precisely, and will give you a very crisp break. The Glass Rod. I wouldn't do anything more to the hooks, or you risk them not catching the sear. The finish is applied to the whole part, including the hooks, but in reality it does not interfere with the pull. It will polish itself out as you fire the gun. The hole for the hammer strut pin is slightly lower than the usual part, and will not let the mainspring come up fully. This is no problem, however, since all you need to do is nudge the mainspring up to get the mainspring pin started. Not a biggie. This actually helps in keeping a tight and positive hammer stroke from beginning to end. Speaking of hammer stroke, keep your factory 23lb mainspring. It will help mitigate any trigger creep. The lower you go with the mainspring, the more noticeable is the trigger creep. In other words, with a low power mainspring, you lose the snap and crispness of hammer release by the sear. Start with the sear spring if you want a lower trigger pull, not the mainspring. To close, this is an expensive but very high quality part from Apex Tactical that will return your 1911 to its original design and look, with a modern twist. Show your 1911 some love and get the part. It was definitely worth it for me.

Construction and function, are great. just note, the hammer does not actually come with the sides ground down to match the original colt hammers, you will have to polish the sides yourself. the hammer comes completely black contrary to the description, just know that when purchasing.