Mainspring Housing Fit?

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

I got to looking at the bluing wear on my 1911's grip safety. That led to an inspection of its compression and such, and that in turn led to me seeing some movement of the MSH.

It's the stock RIA housing, and its fit is not the best. It has thin rails, and this leads to it pivoting on the MSH retaining pin.

In other words, it can be pushed in and out like the grip safety, but not nearly as far in the arc. It's barely noticeable, but it does move the grip safety a bit. I can't see how that would really matter either, but the whole deal is not aesthetically pleasing.

My question is twofold: First, is this normal on production 1911 pistols? Second, does anyone make a file to fit MSH oversize enough that it would allow me to file the rails for a snug fit, to eliminate any play in the MSH?

Not dangerous, but definitely irritating.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[John]

I am puzzled by the second question. What do you want to file? If the rails are wider than the protrusions on the MSH then if you file them you will make them wider, so more movement.

As for your first one, well I do not think so. Contact Ray and ask him.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello, and thanks.

My second question was just my tired way of asking if anyone made a mainspring housing with oversize, file to fit rails.

Josh <><

[John]

Well, most MSH have standard width protrusions. I am not sure what the dimension is, but your problem can be either thing protrusions or extremely wide slots on the frame. Do you have another pistol to compare?

[Jerry Keefer]

Hello, and thanks.

My second question was just my tired way of asking if anyone made a mainspring housing with oversize, file to fit rails.

Josh <><
Josh;

You're observation is on the money. Many are loose, and can be tightened up with a little tig weld. Les Baer M/S housings tend to require fitting and are usually a good tight fit. A loose fit can cause the trigger pull to vary. Usually only a problem to upper level target shooters who are very sensitive to such things..I don't like for the housing to trap or make heavy contact with the sear leg or the disconnector leg above the splits, and machine a relief to prevent it.

Jerry

[log man]

Josh;

.I don't like for the housing to trap or make heavy contact with the sear leg or the disconnector leg above the splits, and machine a relief to prevent it.

Jerry

Excellent bit to note Jerry , as any contact above the split negates any value of the split to the point of contact. And is a reason if not discovered as to why the same sear spring will act differently in different guns.

LOG

[Joshua M. Smith]

I do not have a tig welder and do not know anyone whose welding I would trust (my own included - I've never been good at that at all).

I read something about peening the rails, but cannot find the information now.

Any help?

Thanks,

Josh <><

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello All,

Just wanted to thank you again. It was suggested on another 1911 site that the rails could be modified using a hammer and punch and a prescribed method, to fit.

This is an RIA MSH, and I did try to smack it with a punch, but the rail broke. Looks like it was cheaply cast.

As well, I have a Kimber arched MSH, and when I tried it, it fit perfectly. No slop, nothing. Perfect fit.

Problem is, it's 1) plastic and 2) arched. I can't stand either, but could live with the plastic for a bit if it weren't arched. For me, arched is just dangerous in a self-defense gun.

The stock MSH is just severely undersize, so much so that I doubt any fitting would take, even if it didn't chip.

So, I'll need to find a flat, metal MSH with rails about the same size as a Kimber's.

I don't have any money right now due to college bills, so I slipped the undersize RIA back in and will live with it until such time that I can afford a properly sized, quality piece. (The chip in the rail is not affecting a thing.)

Thanks again,

Josh <><

[doctruptwn]

Josh, they can be had for about $20.00 if you shop around. I remember how it was in college. The one I bought from Fusion was $22.00 and was slightly tight which was resolved with a couple of passes from a file.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Doc,

Thank you. I'll take a look at them.

Josh <><

[berkbw]

Joshua [1st time I've ever typed that] If your problem is feel, then get a center-punch and fatten it up [you can cold blue the marks] - if it is cosmetic, then send it back OR get a new one from egw. eh? like if you do not want to be w/o.

berk-