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Johns961
17th May 2006, 12:56
I am thinking about changing my S&W 1911 plunger tube. A standard 1911 part will not fit. Does anyone know if a standard commander plunger tube
will work ?

Thanks

John!
Hawkmoon
17th May 2006, 14:59
As far as I know there is no difference between a Government plunger tube, a Commander plunger tube, and an Officers plunger tube. Brownells lists one plunger tube (well, two -- one blue and one stainless) under "1911 Common Parts" and they do NOT list any plunger tubes under specific models, such as Commander or Officers. If S&W for some reason uses a non-standard tube, your only source is likely to be S&W.

Why do you want to change it?

PS -- EGW makes one that screws on. You might contact them and ask if it fits the S&W. Their link is in the sponsor banners at the top of the forum screens.
Johns961
17th May 2006, 15:08
A standard 1911 government piece does not fit. I wanted to be able to use
a standard piece in case I needed a spare right away. Plus, that open ended
piece can cut when removing it for cleaning.

John!
Tom
17th May 2006, 15:12
Are we sure we're talking about the plunger tube? The tube that sits atop the left grip panel with plungers against both the slide stop and the thumb safety? You shouldn't have to remove it for cleaning. In fact, most tubes can't be removed for cleaning without damaging the posts that hold it against the frame.
Johns961
17th May 2006, 15:18
Are we sure we're talking about the plunger tube? The tube that sits atop the left grip panel with plungers against both the slide stop and the thumb safety? You shouldn't have to remove it for cleaning. In fact, most tubes can't be removed for cleaning without damaging the posts that hold it against the frame.

I guess I am calling it by the incorrect name. The piece I am talking about
holds the recoil spring in place at the end of the slide. The barrel bushing keeps it in place.....

Upon more research, I have discovered that I was calling it by the wrong part name. Sorry about that. What I really ment to call it was "Recoil Spring Plug".

Thanks

John!
Tom
17th May 2006, 15:35
Whew! Okay. You had me goin' there for a bit, John. Thanks for clearing that up. Also, welcome aboard, fellow Tampan.

Now back to the issue at hand. No, it seems there are different plug sizes depending on the model. Here's a link to Brownells (hopefully)showing the different recoil plugs available. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=recoil+plug+1911&ps=10&si=True

As you can (hopefully) see, there are plugs for standard/government, commander and officer size 1911's.
John
17th May 2006, 16:22
The question John, is why the standard recoil spring plug will not work? Is it a diameter issue? Or maybe your pistol has an open plug which goes with a full length guide rod?
Johns961
17th May 2006, 17:08
The question John, is why the standard recoil spring plug will not work? Is it a diameter issue? Or maybe your pistol has an open plug which goes with a full length guide rod?

I thought I would set some spare parts a side. Those plugs can get away from
me sometimes if I am not careful. I thought it would be smart to have a couple spare parts. I have a standard government model spare plug. But, it is too longer then the factory supplied part and will not fit. I am thinking a commander size plug might work.
I am just wondering who has run across this before...

Thanks

John!
wichaka
17th May 2006, 17:25
Yes, the Commander recoil spring plug is shorter than a GM size.
John
17th May 2006, 22:34
Show us a picture of your gun John, without one, we can't tell you reliably what you should get.
Hawkmoon
17th May 2006, 22:42
You'd better tell us what model S&W you have, and post a picture if possible. The usual reason for an open front recoil is that the gun has a full-length guide rod. If that's what you have, the standard plug (regardless of length) won't work because it won't allow the slide to retract.
John
17th May 2006, 23:20
I edited the thread title, to make sure no one gets confused with the initial one (plunger tube replacement).
scooter
18th May 2006, 00:07
Didnt Tuner once say you can use an empty case for a spring plug in a pinchhttp://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon10.gif
John
18th May 2006, 01:01
Not a .45 ACP empty case for sure??!!
Johns961
18th May 2006, 04:43
You'd better tell us what model S&W you have, and post a picture if possible. The usual reason for an open front recoil is that the gun has a full-length guide rod. If that's what you have, the standard plug (regardless of length) won't work because it won't allow the slide to retract.

I am on my 12 hour shifts right now and don't have time to take a picture. The pistol is a 2 year old S&W SS 1911 with the open ended recoil plug. I ordered a commander plug just for grins. I think it might have a full length rod it might not work. If it does not, I have wasted more money then that before. My next day off is Sunday. I will look at it closer then.

Thanks

John!
John
18th May 2006, 05:11
If the pistol has an open end plug, the one you ordered won't work. You need an open one, to go with your guide rod. My question is, why didn't the standard one work? Was it too wide? Or because it was a closed one as well?
scooter
18th May 2006, 12:41
Not a .45 ACP empty case for sure??!!
Except for not having the ridge to keep the barrel bushing from turning it let my commander function without a hitchhttp://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon10.gif It might be a little unreliable because of that in heavy use but to defend yourself in a pinch it should do ok.
John
18th May 2006, 13:54
I'll be darned. Yes, the .45 ACP case can fit in the spring tunnel! Good Lord, what one learns, thanks Scooter!
scooter
18th May 2006, 19:51
I'll be darned. Yes, the .45 ACP case can fit in the spring tunnel! Good Lord, what one learns, thanks Scooter!
Gotta thank Tuner..I read it in one of his posts somewhere in the forums??http://forum.m1911.org/images/icons/icon11.gif