MSH pin- help!

[naw1201]

I tried to do my first detail disassembly on my Sistema using the coolgunsite.com instructions (very good, by the way!). Now, I can't get the msh pin back in! The small knob inside the msh stops the pin... even if I pull the whole apart and put the pin into the msh without the frame.

Is there a trick I'm missing, or do I need a bigger hammer?

Thanks.

[Canuck-IL]

Uncock the hammer and push up on the MSH while inserting the pin ... then comes the (not so big) hammer.
/Bryan

[naw1201]

Thanks, Bryan. That helps, but I still have a few questions.

1. Making sure I have the right pin... concave on one side. convex on the other, a groove in the middle

2. Pushing it the right way... convex end pushed first from left to right as you hold the pistol in a firing grip

3. I was joking about the hammer, but do I need to tap it in or should I be able to push it? I can get it in to the point that the groove is almost flush with the side of the frame. It seems like the "knob" (censor didn't like the word I tried using!) inside the msh is blocking the pin.

Thanks in advance.

[robot1911]

Bryan's right on. I've seen some mainspring housings that have an oversized hole in the bottom of the spring tunnel that allows the detent plunger to protrude too far into the housings retaining pin hole and really makes it difficult to get the pin past it. A larger hammer will usually work...but if the oversized hole is indeed your problem, it may be necessary to reduce the length of the detent plunger.
Don't try to increase the radius/bevel on the leading end of the pin...go too far and the pin will be sloppy in the frame. Best to leave it be!

Bob

[Dave Berryhill]

The "knob," as you call it is called the main spring housing pin retainer and it functions as a spring-loaded detent to keep the main spring housing pin from coming out of the frame. The tip of the retainer goes into the narrow middle section of the MSH pin when the retainer is pushed all the way into the frame.

Make sure the hammer is all the way forward, hold the frame with the bottom of the MSH resting against your bench with one hand while you hold the MSH pin in position with the other. Push downwards on the frame, compressing the mainspring until the hole in the frame aligns with the hole in the MSH. You'll know that they are lined up because the pin will slip right into the hole about halfway. Now you can tap the MSH pin in the rest of the way using a soft hammer or a hammer and punch.

[1911Tuner]

Now you can tap the MSH pin in the rest of the way using a soft hammer or a hammer and punch.

Or just do like I do most of the time...with my own pistols, of course...and place the pin against the underside of the table and give the other side of the frame a good whack upward... :D

Tuner<---Ducks and runs

I don't call'em "Beaters" for nothin'...

[Hawkmoon]

Tuner<---Ducks and runs

I don't call'em "Beaters" for nothin'...
Yeah ...

Most self-respecting rednecks wear "wife beater" shirts (is it correct to call 'em T-shirts when there aren't any sleeves to make the tee in the 'T'?). Tuner wears 1911 beater shirts.

[naw1201]

The good natured teasing and banter in this forum is why I enjoy it. :D

I finally got the pistol back together. Thanks for the help. I just needed to "man up" and use a little more force. After finishing my first detail disassembly/ reassembly, I think I finally understand a little more of the genius of John Browning's design. Not mention, I certainly have more respect for the guys like Mr Berryhill who work on these for a living.

Happy shooting!

Edit- by the way, the disassembly instructions on this site at http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm are much better.