Materials used in 1991 triggers and MSH?

[mikem]

Hi,

If I could figure out how to edit titles I would have combined these questions. Sorry.

The more I read about the 1991s the more confusing it gets.

I read in some places the triggers are made of plastic. Then in the next thing I read, it says they are aluminum.

Same on the main spring housings. Here it says plastic or nylon, and "there" is says metal.

Can anyone shed some light on what is used by Colt for these parts?

Thanks,

Mike

[sixgun0510]

No doubt you'll get a newer—and presumably more authoritative—answer than mine shortly. The Colt website lists current 1991 models as having an aluminum trigger. No mention is made of the MSH material. The five-inch 1991 I bought new 14 years ago had a plastic trigger and a Nylon MSH. While both parts functioned in my 1991, I changed them and some other parts for reasons of preference. My 1991 is still, many spring changes and tens of thousands of rounds later, producing good accuracy and trouble-free function. I put 25 rounds of LRN Hardball equivalent though it, offhand, this afternoon at my home range, and it produced sub-four-inch groups and perfect cycling. That's been its consistent performance since Day One.

[Hawkmoon]

Don't confuse the "ORM" M1991A1 series with the current, "NRM" 1991 series. They are not the same in several respects, although they both represent Colt's entry level 1911.

The ORM M1991A1 did use a nylon trigger pad and a nylon MSH. Several other companies also use nylon MSHs, and they function just fine, as well as saving a touch of weight.

The current 1991 pistols use an aluminum trigger. That means the pad ... the trigger bow (the part that slides back and firth inside the receiver) is steel for both. I don't know if the MSH on the current 1991 pistols is nylon or steel.

[tombstone]

Sometimes the parts overlap during production changes. I bought a NRM 1991 with a nylon trigger, black rubber grips, and a nylon MSH - just like the ORM 1991s had. Then, I bought a NRM 1991 Commander with an alu trigger, double diamond walnut grips, and a nylon MSH. So, sometimes Colt must use up the old parts in a new production. BTW, although not "original," the nylon stuff works fine and is a little lighter than the metal parts. If one wants to be true to the original, Brownells, Midway, King's, and even Colt sell the metal parts for a modest price and few minutes time to swap out. That's one of the neat things about the 1911 platform - we owners can change things ourselves - if we're careful. This forum is a big help! :)

[paul45]

I bought a NRM 1991 with a nylon trigger, black rubber grips, and a nylon MSH - just like the ORM 1991s had. Then, I bought a NRM 1991 Commander with an alu trigger, double diamond walnut grips, and a nylon MSH.

And I bet you bought the first one early in the production of the new roll mark 1991s........

[elijdub]

Colt used different parts, made of different materials over the years. Some people prefer one material more than another. I personally prefer alluminun trigger pads and steel MSH's, but the nylon version will probably hold up just as long.
It just depends on what you want. You can look for a gun from a particular year-grouping if you want a specific material....OR...you can swap out the parts easily on any gun. All of the 1991's (whether ORM or NRM) are of a very high quality, IMO. ...You just can't go wrong with a Colt ;)!