Are TM 1911A1 Hammers Compatible With Hi-Capa 5.1?

[johnnysasaki]

Hi, new guy here (like, really new: see profile). I've been looking all over the place for a specific hammer that's made for the TM Hi-Capa 5.1. Everywhere that sells it has it out of stock, but they have something that looks identical in stock, marked as a 1911A1 hammer. This is what I want. This is what's in stock.

I'm just wondering whether anyone knows if the hammer mechanism between the 1911A1 and the Hi-Capa are the same or not. If they are, I could just get the 1911A1 hammer and pop it in right? If anyone has some experience with this, please let me know. Thanks!

[disasterarea]

Couldn't you take off the hammer, cut down the spur, file, sand and paint it? Or maybe it's just me that'd do that. DIY usually works.

[Thenooblord]

1911 hammers are 100% compatible, they are slightly different, but it makes no difference in the end

[johnnysasaki]

If they are slightly different, different how? Because then wouldn't more manufacturers list hammers as being for either gun, instead of specifically one?

As for modding them to work, I rather not risk it since I am fairly new and don't have the skill to do this.

I'm hoping a gunsmith will chime in with their opinion...

[disasterarea]

Originally Posted by johnnysasaki

As for modding them to work, I rather not risk it since I am fairly new and don't have the skill to do this.

There would be nothing to it, just take off the hammer, put it in a vise ,use a hacksaw to cut the spur off, and smooth it out.

[juicy]

What modding do you speak of, disaster? As far as I know, you can drop in a hammer (key word: hammer, nothing else) without a problem from one to the other.

Johnny, I can't give you a for-sure answer, but I would recommend you go by trial and error - I doubt there will be any errors if all you're doing is installing the hammer alone. That being said, are you sure you'd be able to install the new hammer on your own? You probably shouldn't be dabbling into internals if you don't feel confident enough to dive right in and don't want to just hand it off to a gun doc to do the work and find you the part.

[johnnysasaki]

Well, I mean, maybe I'm a bit overconfident here. I think I would be able to crack open the gun just to drop in a hammer, provided it fits... BUT maybe that is a common novice mistake—to underestimate how complicated the internals and/or break something by accident in the process.

I've been looking for tutorials and guides on how to disassemble these things, but nothing really helpful has come up (maybe I'm looking in the wrong places?).

I mean, how hard could it be? I envision it like this:

1. Crack open the sucker
2. Take note of where everything is
3. Zero in on hammer
4. Replace hammer
5. Put things back the way they were

Of course, this could all go to hell if something like a spring or something randomly pops out and I have no idea where it comes from. XD

[Thenooblord]

if you run into any trouble you can bring it to me, Id do it for free, Ill be bored otherwise lol

[johnnysasaki]

Thanks! That's very kind of you. I wonder where "The West Mall" is...

See, ideally, I want sit in on a gunsmith doing his thing to watch and learn. I learn pretty quick—so of course I would never be able to match their skill/experience just looking at someone work, but at least I'd have a better idea what to expect on the inside of a gun... I like doing things myself, but not blindly—that's how shit gets broken.

[Thenooblord]

hey, I learned by just diving into shit, If I take it all apart, I gotta figure how it goes together or its a $500 paperweight, it was good motivation ;p
the west mall is a street in the west end by the 427

[johnnysasaki]

Y'know what would be super helpful, if someone had some labelled shots of the internals of a Hi-Capa to show what it looks like when opened, what to be careful of, etc...

I've found some exploded images of the insides, but it's all in Japanese... Check it:


Kind of neat to look at, but still a bit daunting.

[Thenooblord]

the main thing that I guarentee you wont install correctly is the leaf spring, otherwise its pretty straightforward, take off the grip, take off the side plate, then replace hammer

[disasterarea]

Originally Posted by juicy

What modding do you speak of, disaster? As far as I know, you can drop in a hammer (key word: hammer, nothing else) without a problem from one to the other.

I know that swapping a hammer is no work at all, but I'd rather save the $50 and do it myself.

[juicy]

Originally Posted by Thenooblord

the main thing that I guarentee you wont install correctly is the leaf spring, otherwise its pretty straightforward, take off the grip, take off the side plate, then replace hammer

LOL, indeed. Took me nearly a month the first time I took apart my very first GBB (yup, a 1911).

Originally Posted by Thenooblord

hey, I learned by just diving into shit, If I take it all apart, I gotta figure how it goes together or its a $500 paperweight, it was good motivation ;p

+1. Diving in is the way to go!!! Sitting in with a gun doc is only good so far as the gun doc doesn't care so much about the money - ahem, you know who you are, hahaha - and is totally fine with TEACHING you as versus just doing it and you're just sitting there watching.

[Thenooblord]

indeed juicy, I do this more to kill time than for money, I have a shitty job for money, so this is just to help give JUGGLEZ money for all the shit I get from him ;p