Installing new EGW FPS

[chrissmallwood]

Hi all. Ive had my RIA GI for a few weeks now and Ive decided to do a few mods to it. The first one Ive decided to do is to install the EGW oversize fps. Ive read the thread on how to properly fit it but what im wanting to know if I'll need any special tools to remove it. I dont want to start working on it and find out I need something I dont have. I already have a stone an files for fitting it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[niemi24s]

No special tools are needed to remove the oversize FPS, except for the "anything handy" to depress the firing pin. If, while fitting, it gets stuck in its slots in the slide you'll just need a fairly strong & stiff handy thing.

[chrissmallwood]

Thanks. Thats what I needed.

[jwenum]

Ijust got done putting a EGW firing pin stop in..You'll probably need to do a little filing&fitting.Most of what I did was rubbing the back side on sandpaper stuck to a piece of flat wood.All worked out well,just a lot of sanding/grinding and refitting. Good luck

[leam]

On 1911Tuner's suggestion I picked up an AR-15 firing pin. Useful for punching out most of the 1911 pins, and removing the FPS.

The only special tool I'd duggest, besides files and sotnes, is a micrometer. Smoothing the back is one way to make it fit but you can get a better fit if you worn whichever side groove is sticking. Dykem blue helps, too. :)

Leam

[Hill]

Sharpy blue is a lot easier and handier than the Dykem can & brush.

[SBC Zilla]

On 1911Tuner's suggestion I picked up an AR-15 firing pin. Useful for punching out most of the 1911 pins, and removing the FPS.

The only special tool I'd duggest, besides files and sotnes, is a micrometer. Smoothing the back is one way to make it fit but you can get a better fit if you worn whichever side groove is sticking. Dykem blue helps, too. :)

Leam


Definitely pick up a Mic. Every gun owner should have one.

My stock piece was about 10-thou to loose, the EGW unit was about 10-thou to large.

It can be done with a few stones and a file.
Take your time.

Also, the EGW piece is a little out of wack from the factory. Both sides of mine were not completely flat.
A few swipes on a stone should take care of that.

[chrissmallwood]

Thanks guys. I have a set of vernier calipers. Would those work in plae of the micrometers?

[SBC Zilla]

Thanks guys. I have a set of vernier calipers. Would those work in plae of the micrometers?


They will be fine to measure the difference between the stock, and EGW piece.
A Mic would be nice because you can measure the FPSs channel that it rides in.

[chrissmallwood]

I got the new FPS in the mail today and got it fitted. It took me quite awhile as the new fps was .030" wider than the stock piece. After I got it in I took it to the range to test it out and it functioned just fine. I took the old one with me and swapped them back and forth occasionally to see if I could feel anything and they both felt the same to me as far as percieved recoil. Kinda feels like a waste to me now.

[leam]

That's odd. Mine slowed down the slide so much that I could sometimes feel two different parts of the recoil process. Did you round the edge minimally?

Leam

[chrissmallwood]

Yep. I just barely broke off the edge with a file and then smoothed it with a stone. I dont think I went to far but I couldve for all I know. I think Ill just keep it as is. I dont want to buy another one not knowing if it will be the same.

[sweet45]

What kind of recoil spring are you using? If 18lbs, drop down to 16 or 14 and and you will see the muzzle flip level out.

[1911Tuner]

they both felt the same to me as far as percieved recoil. Kinda feels like a waste to me now.

Did you install a new 23-pound mainspring and a new 16-pound recoil spring at the same time? It's a system. If the springs are tired...especially the mainspring...you don't get the full benefit.

[chrissmallwood]

Im using the stock recoil spring which I was under the impression was 16lbs. I had only put 50 rds through it when I fitted the fps so I wouldnt have thought that the springs would need to be replaced.

[1911Tuner]

I had only put 50 rds through it when I fitted the fps so I wouldnt have thought that the springs would need to be replaced.

Since I don't know what the OEM mainspring's rating is, it's hard to determine whether or not you're getting full slide delay from the stop. It's also possible that you're not very sensitive to changes in the recoil. Some people can detect a definite difference...some say that they can't tell much difference...some say they can't feel any difference. A blind back-to-back test with the two stops with somebody else firing the gun may reveal more.

One thing that is sure...the slide is being delayed, and is moving slower after it cocks the hammer...and the recoil characteristics of the gun are different. You may see it in rapid fire and reaquisition of the sights, even though you can't actually feel it.

[Hill]

At least you know that your estractor isn't clocking, eh?

[chrissmallwood]

When you say the extractor isnt clocking, what do you mean?

[MCPO]

When you say the extractor isnt clocking, what do you mean?
If the FPS is not the full width of the 'slot' it will allow the extractor to 'twist' or 'rotate' in its tunnel - called clocking (rotating - thus not allowing the extractor 'hook' to properly operate).

[chrissmallwood]

Got ya. Thanks

[auto45]

I put one in and re-installed the 23lb mainspring also and I like it.

Small change in muzzle-flip I believe, but I like the idea of it since I use a 14lb recoil spring and like the little extra "slow down" of the slide hitting the frame. Good insurance, IMHO, even if you can't feel the difference and I'm not aware of the downside. Cheap to try also... ;)

The last two times I went out with the "change", my groups were "tighter" though. I assume that's coincidence...right. :D

[tonka]

I didn't notice a huge difference in the recoil impulse or dwell time, but the muzzle rise was easier to manage after changing my firing pin stop. It's harder to rack the slide, but practice is overcoming that; in the event of the balloon going up, I imagine that adrenalin will assist in moving the slide rearward.