Lost a spring... What now?

[Will-MO]

I was leaning how to dismantle this PT1911 and doing ok. But now I realize that I can't find the firing pin block spring.. It's part #1.13 in the Taurus Manual. Can I find this part from Brownells or MidwayUSA, or order from Taurus..?

Thanks for your help..

Will

[Rich-D]

I was leaning how to dismantle this PT1911 and doing ok. But now I realize that I can't find the firing pin block spring.. It's part #1.13 in the Taurus Manual. Can I find this part from Brownells or MidwayUSA, or order from Taurus..?
Thanks for your help..
Will
Brownell should have the spring, if not Taurus should. Also the part should be the same as Beretta's

[sprice1973]

Brownell should have one.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Springs, especially small ones are very easy to loose. I like to keep a spare set handy. They aren't very expensive and waiting for one to come in the mail is a *pain*.

Bob

[Will-MO]

Just ordered it from Brownells. Now I've got to wait.. pa guns, your right it is a pain.

Thanks,
Will

[Rich-D]

I have a large 8 lb magnet I keep in my work area closet. It's a great at finding small metal parts in cracks, crevices and rugged areas.

[pa_guns]

I have a large 8 lb magnet I keep in my work area closet. It's a great at finding small metal parts in cracks, crevices and rugged areas.

Hi

I hope your floppy disk collection isn't sitting right next to it. :D :D :D

Anything big enough to be useful (8 pounds sounds like plenty big) also will magnetize screw drivers and the like. It's a useful thing to have around.

Radio shack will sell you cheap magnets in bulk. They often are not on display, but are behind the counter. They are not very large, but glued to a pice of 6 to 10" square scrap of 1/4" plywood they make a great "spring sweeper".

Bob

[sprice1973]

Rich-D,good idea keeping a magnet around.Will have to start doing that myself,have come close a few times to misplacing some needed parts on my guns!

[Will-MO]

This was my first time to really dismantle the 1911. I'm used to a Glock, which breaks down to around 4 parts in 2 minutes.. The 1911 is another story.. But I'm addicted to the looks, the feel and the history.

I was reading the Wilson Combat 1911 maintenance guide. It specifically warned about not loosing that spring, and I didn't heed the warning.. At first it was stuck and didn't want to come out. Then, as I tapped on the back of the slide to dislodge it. It flung off into some dark corner of the shop.. Only God knows where this thing is now... Oh well, lesson learned. Watch those Springs and keep extras on hand..

[John]

This was my first time to really dismantle the 1911. I'm used to a Glock, which breaks down to around 4 parts in 2 minutes.. The 1911 is another story..

Huh? The 1911 can be field stripped in less than 2 minutes. Say 15 secs?

[Rich-D]

Huh? The 1911 can be field stripped in less than 2 minutes. Say 15 secs?
John, he said it was his first time stripping a 1911. 15 seconds for a newbe is setting the bar awfully high! :)

[pa_guns]

Hi

We've been having a dinner table conversation over the last week about weather you can detail strip a 1911 in 15 seconds. Most of the conversation has had to do with weather the mainspring has to come out in order for it to "count".

Bob

[Will-MO]

I think I could remove the slide, barrel and such in 15 seconds, but that firing pin, extractor and plunger really slow things down for me. Especially, when you spend 30 minutes looking for the lost spring...

I gotta lot to learn about 1911s...

[jpwilly]

Does it have to be put back togeter in 15 seconds too?

[pa_guns]

Hi

At least for the sake of the dinner bet, no it only needs to be taken down in the 15 seconds. I'm reasonably sure that how ever long it takes to tear it down, it will take at least 2X that to get it back together.

Bob

[LikesToShoot]

After reading this thread I was wondering what a 1911 owner should have "on hand".
Any recommendations?

[Rich-D]

After reading this thread I was wondering what a 1911 owner should have "on hand".
Any recommendations?
Lots of ammo, appropriate tools, replacement springs, they eventually have to be relaced anyway, lube, cleaning kit and a good holster. :p :p

[John]

Tsk, tsk, people don't pay attention. I said "field stripped", didn't I? That means remove the slide, remove bushing and barrel. That's all. And I said 15 secs because he was a new member, the above can be done in less than 5 secs.

Tough crowd to please, aren't you? :D :)

[pa_guns]

Tsk, tsk, people don't pay attention. I said "field stripped", didn't I? That means remove the slide, remove bushing and barrel. That's all. And I said 15 secs because he was a new member, the above can be done in less than 5 secs.

Tough crowd to please, aren't you? :D :)

Hi

You did, but then I hijacked it .... :D :D

I would get a spring set and a spring set to keep around the shop. Neither one should run more than about $10 or so. Between them you have everything except grip screws that is likely to go rolling away. Grip screws don't roll very far or very fast .. :D

Bob

[arjay]

I like to keep a few spare pistolas around :)

[LikesToShoot]

Bob,
Thanks for the input. A spring set has been added to my ever growing wish list at Midway. :)
It fits my budget better than another 1911 at this time.

[Joni Lynn]

When I lose or break a part I always order three replacements. One to lose, one to break and one to get installed correctly. As a result of this practice I somehow ended up with a lot of extra parts in my shop area. (in addition to the lost ones) ;)

[FrankAR15]

Huh? The 1911 can be field stripped in less than 2 minutes. Say 15 secs?


A Glock can be field stripped in about 5 seconds

[pa_guns]

A Glock can be field stripped in about 5 seconds

Hi

But no matter how hard you try it will never be *right* after you put it back together ... :D :D :D :D

The Beretta 92 was the "comparison" pistol that started our discussion of striping the 1911 the other day at dinner.

Bob

[Will-MO]

OK, got the new spring from Brownells. I guess all springs aren't the same. This spring appears to be too long. Its preventing the plunger from fully depressing, thus the hammer wont drop.

Option 1: Cut the spring down until it works.
Option 2: Order a replacment from Taurus.
Option 3: Go to the hardware store and find a few springs that look like they could work.
Option 4: All of the above..

I usually shoot once or twice a week and I really don't want to wait another week for a spare part. What do you think?

Thanks,
Will

[pa_guns]

Hi

The spring *should* be standard. I am not aware of Taurus using strange parts on their 1911's.

Unfortunately the firing pin block system is not part of a military standard 1911. Colt's setup in a series 80 is different from S&W's system in their 1911.

I'd cut the spring down to the point it does not bind up. I would also order a couple of the "right" ones from Taurus.

Bob

[Will-MO]

pa guns, I'm gonna try it. I just tried some of the small mom and pop hardware stores that carry all kinds of little parts and pieces. No luck..

So, I'm gonna snip it and give it a whirl...

Thanks,
Will

[Will-MO]

Fixed it.. I used a spring from a ball point pen. Cut it WAY down. I didn't want to ruin that new spring I just got. Maybe my next 1911 will need it.

Thanks,
Will

[John]

Those springs (from pens) are usually much stronger than the spring going into the plunger of an S80 slide. You sure it was too long?

[pa_guns]

Fixed it.. I used a spring from a ball point pen. Cut it WAY down. I didn't want to ruin that new spring I just got. Maybe my next 1911 will need it.

Thanks,
Will

Hi

Remember - this is just a temporary thing !!!

Do get the right part from Taurus. There are a lot of subtle little things that can build up to trouble over time.

I assume this is a target weapon. If it's for self defense - don't trust it in this condition.

Bob

[Rich-D]

Fixed it.. I used a spring from a ball point pen.
Thanks,Will
Now when he cocks the hammer a pen point protrudes from the barrel. :p :p :p

[pa_guns]

Now when he cocks the hammer a pen point protrudes from the barrel. :p :p :p

Hi

You know what that means....

When he brings it to the next official m1911.org meeting - he can sign the bar bill :D :D :D :D

Bob

[Will-MO]

Went to the range yesterday. No problems. Except the blue ink is hard to clean off my hands.....

Ordered two new ones from Taurus too. Yes, this is a temp fix. Yes, its a target pistol.

Thanks,
Will