Bobtail MSH for defender

[dwsUSA]

Has any one out there put a bobtail main spring housing on a defender? If so, where did you get it and how do you like it?

[steel609]

Check Ed Browns website.

http://www.edbrown.com/start.cgi/parts.htm

[dwsUSA]

I checked out that site but it looks like all the bobtailed MSH there are only for government model frames. I would need something to fit an officer size frame (correct??)

[steel609]

Yes. I would guess that if it's not on Ed Brown's website, it's not made.

[paul45]

I don't think I have seen a bobtailed Officers. I don't think one can.......however, I am not the expert. What about room for the mainspring??

Also.......With the smaller frame, .........to me, what's the point?

[Ziplock]

No matter how many gunsmiths I ask to bobtail all of my compact/officer model 1911's... it is not possible, it can only be done on a fullsize frame.

[michael t]

The small frame doesn't need a bobtail. Might get a smith to round the corners I have seen that on full size . Not a bobtail but again breaks the outline.
I belive its the officer mainspring housing that Brown uses to make his bobtail.

[CO1911Carry]

Wilson Combat seems to offer the rounding of an Officer's grip. For an example of what it looks like, see the Sentinel Compact (http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_sentinel_compact.asp) model or the Custom Options (http://www.wilsoncombat.com/index_options.asp) page about halfway down the page towards the left.

[spongebob]

Has any one out there put a bobtail main spring housing on a defender? If so, where did you get it and how do you like it?

Ever find that bobtail?

I know this may sound like going in the opposite direction but I replaced my Defenders plastic MSH with a S & A SS arched mag guide and am very happy with the results.

The Defender was my first mouse 1911 and initialy I found my shots falling low.
As it turns out the Army had the same problem with the mounted cavalry shooting low. They fixed it with the arched MSH forcing the muzzle up and improving accuracy.

It worked for me also.

This mag guide accomplishes the breakup of the sharp butt.

On the other hand, if your change is strictly aesthetics, I don’t think the mag guide will provide the change.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp225/canebreak45ACP/DSCF3237.jpg

[John]

I did remember that this issue has been discussed, so here is a link to that thread:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=15671

[mauser7x57]

"replaced msh with S&A ss arched mag guide.....all english for this dummy, please! Leaning towards keeping my Defender after some issues.....mine and Colts. I am unable to tell by the photo, is your front strap smooth?...or did you have it machined too?

Thx

[dwsUSA]

Ever find that bobtail?

I know this may sound like going in the opposite direction but I replaced my Defenders plastic MSH with a S & A SS arched mag guide and am very happy with the results.

The Defender was my first mouse 1911 and initialy I found my shots falling low.
As it turns out the Army had the same problem with the mounted cavalry shooting low. They fixed it with the arched MSH forcing the muzzle up and improving accuracy.

It worked for me also.

This mag guide accomplishes the breakup of the sharp butt.

On the other hand, if your change is strictly aesthetics, I don’t think the mag guide will provide the change.

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp225/canebreak45ACP/DSCF3237.jpg



Thanks for the info,

I am pretty sure that no one makes the bobtailed MSH for an officer size frame. I really like your solution. I want to replace the stock MSH eventually. Something about having a plastic part on my colt just doesn't seem right.

[spongebob]

I did remember that this issue has been discussed, so here is a link to that thread:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=15671

John, this is the classical example of the value of forums.

[spongebob]

"replaced msh with S&A ss arched mag guide.....all english for this dummy, please! Leaning towards keeping my Defender after some issues.....mine and Colts. I am unable to tell by the photo :eb: :cool: Thx

mauser7x57 (from a mauser 8x57 owner, actually a 7.92x57 :eb: )

Sorry, our post language is similar to the shorthand method our kids use in texting, but with much more substance!

MSH; Main Spring Housing
S&A; Smith and Alexander http://www.smithandalexander.com/guides.html Barbara is a sweetheart and knows her stuff!
SS; Stainless Steel
Arched; opposed to flat
Mag Guide; S&A's term for mag well

Keep your Defender, (or send it to me) a superior handgun and its a Colt, nuff said.

My Defender is a work in progress; Here is the front strap,

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp225/canebreak45ACP/doinwork.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp225/canebreak45ACP/doinwork1.jpg

Most Defender issues are related to PEBTAH (oh yea, Problem Exists Between Trigger And Holster)

Merry Christmas and stay safe in the New Year

[mauser7x57]

can't ever remember where to find the glossary....wasn't sure what S&A stood for...thx for the info...you doing you're own front strap?...looks great!

Model M Mauser, 7x57...probably taking this one to my grave with me...

I probably em keeping the Colt, liked it a lot until the problem...I'm relatively knew with the "1911" so this is certainly a learning process....both about the guns and my lack of patience.

Looking to slim-down my Defender...looks like you've got some great ideas....thx again..and happy holidays to you and yours (that'd be family, not 1911 collection...lol) oh, what the heck..to the 1911 too!

[spongebob]

can't ever remember where to find the glossary....wasn't sure what S&A stood for...thx for the info...you doing you're own front strap?...looks great!

Model M Mauser, 7x57...probably taking this one to my grave with me...

I probably em keeping the Colt, liked it a lot until the problem...I'm relatively knew with the "1911" so this is certainly a learning process....both about the guns and my lack of patience.

Looking to slim-down my Defender...looks like you've got some great ideas....thx again..and happy holidays to you and yours (that'd be family, not 1911 collection...lol) oh, what the heck..to the 1911 too!

mauser7x57,

Front strap and other 'comfort' changes like carry-melt dehorning. I don't recommend this for the DIY crowd. Say goodbye to your Colt’s lifetime warranty. When you cross, and burn this bridge it’s gone. Some small changes, mostly cosmetic are OK with Colt but when they need to have an engineer analyze the change for potential liability risk they will always put a legal firewall between your modified gun and their assets. Proceed with caution and don’t work above your pay grade!

With that said, my mouse gun needed more grip. I removed the rubber grips for aesthetic reasons. They did work but the grips were only surpassed in efficacy by their sheer ugliness!

I find front strap checkering works but IMHO it doesn’t please my eye. Stippling was my choice but my hubris blocked me from having someone scratch up my gun for $150. I do that every day for free!

After some research and practice, and using no ‘special tools’, I am quite proud of the outcome.

I like the randomness of stippling. It really grips the hand and is adjustable, yep adjustable, should the outcome be too sticky (sharp) you can change the punch profile and tame it down with a little more tweaking. Should it wear down, just rough-it-up.

*NOTICE* when this modification is completed some level of refinishing is required.
In the case of my alloy frame Defender, the protective covering was removed and the aluminum is then exposed and starts the oxidation process. Oh, rats, now I need to send my frame out for plating. Wink, wink, here’s my chance to two-tone my mouse gun!

*ANOTHER NOTICE* this infliction can cause serious side-effects. With little effort you can double the cost of your gun. Of course in my-minds-eye, it then truly becomes “MY COLT”!

More on my mouse gun later as money is spent.

Merry Christmas and be safe in the New Year!