newbie: mainspring housing question

[gusto]

Hello! I'm not only new to this board, I'm relatively new to 1911 pistols in general. I've shot a few, but i've never taken one apart for myself.

Please bear with me, because i know this will probably sound completely inane.

Hopefully, within a couple months, I'll pick up a springfield GI model from a local mercantile. I would like to replace the arched mainspring housing with a flat one from wilson combat. Is this easy to do, or am i getting way ahead of myself?

Any help would be great, and thank you for your patience.

[Hunter]

You should not have any problems changing out the mainspring housing from arched to flat. It should be a drop in fit. I too prefer the feel of a flat MSH.

[Harlie]

Before driving out the MSH pin, depress the grip safety and wrap tape to hold or place a rubber band around to keep it depressed or the sear spring will cause you a problem. W/O knowing how to remove and replace the thumb safety, you will be dead in the water. Be very careful not to crack the grip panels, when tapping the pin out, don't get heavy handed during any part of first attempts. Problem, seek help here before doing a dumb.
If you need to replace the spring and pins from old housing into the new, use a vise and wear safety glasses, due to possible loss of control of spring pressure, be safe and go slow.

[scooter]

If you need to replace the spring and pins from old housing into the new, use a vise and wear safety glasses, due to possible loss of control of spring pressure, be safe and go slow.
And remember to sweep the shop floor FIRST and keep a big magnet handy to chase the little critters when(not if)they get away from yahttp://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

[wichaka]

Take the slide off the frame, and take the grips off. Thumb the hammer forward, to take the pressure off the main spring, then drive the housing pin out.

When you change the spring, put a pin punch in a vace with the pin upwards........put the housing over the punch and push down to take the pressure off the spring cap, then push the cap pin out and ease up on the housing, and everything will come out without danger of getting anything in your eye.

[runt]

on the springfields with the stupid ils (from what i've read at least), you will need to put a pin in the hole that is supposed to already contain one to keep the mainspring from shooting out and shooting the parts all over. why springfield didn't put one there i have no clue :(

oh, you will want to buy the pin to hold the mainspring in the MSH too.

[gusto]

thank you all very much!

[kylebakner]

One more thing.....and you'd have to be a real idjit (read: ME) to do this, but it has been done....the hammer must be gently lowered ALL the way down....NOT cocked or on the half cock notch when you try to push out the mainspring housing pin......that leaves it still under tension....

Like I said.....a real idjit..... ;)

Kyle

[Tom]

on the springfields with the stupid ils (from what i've read at least), you will need to put a pin in the hole that is supposed to already contain one to keep the mainspring from shooting out and shooting the parts all over. why springfield didn't put one there i have no clue

oh, you will want to buy the pin to hold the mainspring in the MSH too.
Yeah, I found that out the hard way - literally - as the MSH shot out of the frame like a rocket, hitting me in the forehead. Lost the little "cup" for the hammer spur for a few days until I found it again.

A nail or large paperclip will work well with retaining the mainspring parts on the Springfield models.

[Joni Lynn]

Tom, why doesn't that surprise me very much? Why didn't you have your lovely wife Carole supervising you?

[Azrael256]

oh, you will want to buy the pin to hold the mainspring in the MSH too. Springfields are supposed to come with the pin. It should be in the little plastic baggie with the ILS keys and the cleaning brush. Read the manual. It will detail just exactly how to remove the MSH (although that has been covered nicely).

If you go with a new MSH, you'll also want a pin set and spring set. The stock mainspring and cap from Springfield are not standard because of the ILS.