Rem Rand small parts evolution

[Scott Gahimer]

Edited content.

[Johnny Peppers]

The very early Remington Rands show quite a bit of hand fitting inside after the Du-Lite blue finish was applied. The pistols with the hand fitting also show a variety of inspection marks inside that the later pistols don't show. The marks in the hammers appear almost as forging voids. The answer could possibly be an attempt to keep the forgings as close to finished dimensions as possible, creating the voids.

[1911slabsides]

Even though I am nowhere near an expert, I too have noticed that there are little changes in each gun. There is so much information to be learned on Just the Remington Rand alone it is almost staggering. I wish I had of started studying sooner, I might be a bit brighter now.

[1911slabsides]

I noticed that I have two recoil spring guides of different length. One came with my Remington Rand, And I belive it was the correct part. I mixed it up with another guide that I had in my parts box. Which one is correct for a 1943 Remington Rand. The difference in the lenght looks like 3/16".

Whats the long and short of it if you don't mind telling me. :D

[dsk]

Can you show us pictures of each guide? The differences between a GI guide and modern commercial ones are too subtle to describe here.

[1911slabsides]

DSK no picture ability. I'm really guessing that it's the shorter one. I appreciate your help though. I guess it's a good question if it can't be answered in a word or two. Usually the answers I get to questions are, "no" and "don't" and sometimes "no don't".

Now I've got a project. I'm on a hunt for the right spring guide. It gives me something to do.

[Johnny Peppers]

1911 SS,
I went through 8 recoil spring guides that I had loose, and they all measured within a few thousandths of 1.75 inches. The longest was 1.76, but most measured right on 1.75 or just .002/.003 longer.

[1911slabsides]

Thanks Johnny, I just went to one of the very good link sight and I really think that the shorter one is the correct guide. I appreciate you checking that for me. Good Crew.

[dsk]

If it helps any, I've noticed most new commercial guides have more of a closed end at the front than the GI ones. Both are open at the front, but the GI guides are rolled over just enough at the lip to slip the spring over the guide.

[1911slabsides]

DSK actually it does help. it's the shorter one. I found a couple of pictures that put me in the ball park and I do see the closed end and rolled over end business you just mentioned. One less thing to worry about. Thanks