azreloader
14th June 2007, 14:11
I just finished changing my stock Springfield mainspring housing (with the internal locking system) for an Ed Brown MSH & Maxiwell. I consulted these boards before doing so and gained much useful information about how to do this. Several others expressed an interest as well, so I took photos of the entire process and hope it will act as a tutorial for others who wish to do the same operation. Here s a pic of the new piece that will be installed.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0543.JPG
I followed the Springfield manual for removing the old MSH. I used a zip tie to hold the Grip safety but a good rubber band would work too. Cocking the hammer compresses the spring so you can insert the takedown pin in the hole.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0547.JPG
Then let the hammer back down, and drive the MSH retainer pin out with a flat punch.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0548.JPG
Once the pin is out, the old MSH will slide right out.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0549.JPG
This view shows the old mainspring being held in place by the takedown pin.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0552.JPG
Here's the new MSH/Magwell extension and it's new internals (mainspring, mainspring cap and mainspring cap retention pin and (not pictured) mainspring pin retainer.)
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0553.JPG
After giving the new parts a light coat of oil, I inserted them into the new housing and used a flat end punch to compress the spring to enable the insertion of the retaining pin.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0555.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0556.JPG
The complete assembly can now be inserted back into the frame, being careful to make sure the hammer spur is lined up correctly and MSH retaining pin re-inserted.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0558.JPG
I removed the zip tie, installed new Ebony Wood grips (flat bottom) and all done.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0560.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0543.JPG
I followed the Springfield manual for removing the old MSH. I used a zip tie to hold the Grip safety but a good rubber band would work too. Cocking the hammer compresses the spring so you can insert the takedown pin in the hole.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0547.JPG
Then let the hammer back down, and drive the MSH retainer pin out with a flat punch.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0548.JPG
Once the pin is out, the old MSH will slide right out.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0549.JPG
This view shows the old mainspring being held in place by the takedown pin.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0552.JPG
Here's the new MSH/Magwell extension and it's new internals (mainspring, mainspring cap and mainspring cap retention pin and (not pictured) mainspring pin retainer.)
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0553.JPG
After giving the new parts a light coat of oil, I inserted them into the new housing and used a flat end punch to compress the spring to enable the insertion of the retaining pin.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0555.JPG
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0556.JPG
The complete assembly can now be inserted back into the frame, being careful to make sure the hammer spur is lined up correctly and MSH retaining pin re-inserted.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0558.JPG
I removed the zip tie, installed new Ebony Wood grips (flat bottom) and all done.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/medium/IMGP0560.JPG