Series 80 lower, series 70 upper

[glenjoy]

Is it just ok to install a series 70 upper on a series 80 lower without removing the series 80 mechanism?

[John]

No. It won't work. You have to at least alter or remove the upper link in the S80 mechanism, in the frame, in order for it to work. Or you can buy a shim from Brownells and remove both the upper and lower links in the frame. Then it will work.

[glenjoy]

Can I replace the firing mechanism of a series 80 with series 70 mechanisms without adding some extra parts, I'll be removing the series 80 safety mechanisms.

[John]

What you mean? The slide (a Series 70 slide) doesn't have any S80 parts. The frame however is machined differently. To the right of the sear there is a space machined where the S80 parts fit. Look at this:

http://www.m1911.org/images/safety.jpg

Notice the yellow and black parts, these fit in the space machined in the frame. You need to either have these parts there or replace them with a shim. The black part, if you leave those parts in the frame, has to be trimmed so when you press the trigger nothing protrudes above the frame, in other words the nose of that part has to be cut.

If you remove the black and yellow part, something needs to be installed there, to fill the space machined in the frame, or else the sear will move sideways. Brownells sells a shim which goes in that area and fills it up. You will need one of them.

[OD*]

This is the shim John is referring to, you need to use it to keep your sear from "walking."

http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/876011780.jpg

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=13121&s=

[glenjoy]

This is the shim John is referring to, you need to use it to keep your sear from "walking."

http://www.brownells.com/Images/Products/876011780.jpg

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=13121&s=

I think we can manufacture this part, can someone post dimensions?

Thanks.