Ordering parts from Colt....

[KSplinker]

Can anyone tell me how Colt's prices compare to the aftermarket companies? Could I order a flat mainspring housing with a smooth finish from Colt and it be similar in price to other companies (approx. $30) or is buying from Colt gonna cost me a premium? Are the mainspring housings used by Colt actually manufactured by Colt or are they contracted out? I ask because I like the idea of replacing Colt parts with other Colt parts but if the cost is too much it may not be worth it. Thanks.

[Hawkmoon]

That part is used only on the WW1 replicas (both versions), and I don't think Colt will sell you one at any price.

[Landman]

Personally I like plain arched mainspring housings (no checkering or serrations). The only place I've found them is Ed Brown Products. They also offer a flat plain mainspring housing. They are very high quality and the blue finish has match the Colts I've put them on very well. I've never used one of their stainless ones so I don't know about them. Usually when I order one from Brown I also order their parts rebuild kit which is very cheap and has all the internal parts for the mainspring housing so I don't have to take apart the original and I can just swap them out keeping the original parts intact. So far I've used 3 of them on Colts and all were just a drop in and didn't require any fitting. Below are links to those parts.

http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/00578.1.586532713911907958

http://www.edbrown.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/00578.1.957707023611907958

[KSplinker]

Thanks for the advce. I had actually looked at the Ed Brown MSH but getting the parts kit as well is a great idea.

[Landman]

Also, when you are putting the parts in the mainspring housing you need about 3 or 4 hands to get it done. If you will put it in a vice with some old leather on the sides to keep it from scratching it sure does make it easier. There may be some trick to it that someone else can describe but that's the way I've been doing it.

[tenx]

Every time I tried to get something from Colt they told me Brownell's just put in a large order and they had to reserve their parts for their own production.
They referred me to Brownells. Brownells' prices were the same as Colt's prices.

[Pistolier]

If you will put a punch in a vice sticking out horizontally you can hold the mainspring housing with all of its parts pushing in with one hand and drop in the pin with the other. Not my idea but that is the way the smiths at AGI do it. Its really easy. :D

[gfavaron]

Placing the punch (instead of the MSH) in the vice is a cool idea. I wish I had thought of that a long time ago. :-(

[tenx]

Same idea as a punch in the vice.

I have a 1" x 6" x 6" piece of pine with a finish nail in it. I put the the MSH over the nail and push down to compress the spring. Really works well. I also cut a "V" in the wood so I can lay a barrel in it and drive out/in the link pin.

[K9american]

Same idea as a punch in the vice.

I have a 1" x 6" x 6" piece of pine with a finish nail in it. I put the the MSH over the nail and push down to compress the spring. Really works well. I also cut a "V" in the wood so I can lay a barrel in it and drive out/in the link pin.
I use this method also. Too lazy to walk out to the shop where the vise is. Helps to start the pin in the hole before compressing the spring then you don't have to fumble around whilst risking a SPROINGGG!, wherein the MSH flies up and gives you a bloody nose.