Owner`s manual

12 13
H A L F - C O C K P O S I T I O N
The half-cock hammer position is between the dropped position and
full-cock position (Figure 7, page 12). The half-cock position is
designed to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin should
your thumb slip off of the hammer while cocking the hammer or
lowering the hammer to the dropped position.
do not carry or store the pistol with the hammer in the
half-cock position. the half-cock position is provided only as
a means of catching the hammer should it slip from your
thumb while lowering the hammer from full-cock to dropped
position or when cocking the pistol. if the hammer should slip
while the trigger is depressed, the half-cock notch will not
prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. keep your
finger off the trigger when you are cocking the hammer, and
when you are lowering the hammer. failure to follow these
warnings could result in serious injury or death.
F U L L - C O C K P O S I T I O N
In the full-cock position, the hammer is fully rearward (Figure 8,
page 12). In the full-cock position, with the “safety” in the off safe
position, a magazine inserted and with a cartridge in the chamber,
the pistol is ready to fire by pulling the trigger.
L O W E R I N G T H E H A M M E R
when lowering the hammer always keep the muZZle pointed in a
safe direction. be certain your firearm is completely unloaded
and there is not a live cartridge in the chamber. failure to
follow these warnings could result in serious injury or death.
To lower the hammer from full-cock to the dropped position the
following procedure is recommended.
O P E R A T I O N O F
T H E H A M M E R
The Browning 1911-22 is a single-
action pistol featuring an exposed
hammer with dropped, half-cock
and full-cock positions. The
hammer spur is serrated to help
insure positive control while
manually cocking and lowering the
hammer. In order for the trigger to
operate the hammer, the magazine
must be inserted in the pistol.
D R O P P E D P O S I T I O N
The dropped position is the
recommended position of the
hammer at all times except when
shooting is imminent (Figure 6).
In the dropped position, the
hammer is fully forward and
resting against the firing pin,
however, the firing pin is not in
contact with the cartridge’s rim.
do not carry or store the pistol
with a cartridge in the chamber.
always keep the hammer in the
dropped position unless
shooting is imminent. always
keep the muZZle pointed in a
safe direction. failure to follow
these warnings could result
in serious injury or death.
figure 6
The hammer in the dropped position.
figure 7
The hammer in the half-cock position.
figure 8
The hammer in the full-cock position.