G.I. 45 Recoil Spring Plug Wear.

[BlitzPig]

I went to the range yesterday and put a further 100 rounds down the pipe, I have a total of 460 rounds through it now.

I have noticed my recoil spring plug showing accelerated wear. See photo below.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1552/springplug.jpg

This seems pretty extraordinary for this low round count.

I am chalking this up to being a cheap MIM part used by Springfield to keep costs down on the low end model. I have a fun show next weekend and I will pick up a surplus real Colt G.I. issue plug and replace the tacky MIM part.

In the same vein I have given up trying to tune the MIM extractor and the loose fitting MIM firing pin stop and have ordered some high quality Ed Brown replacements for them. The extractor is "clocking" and will not keep it's tension for much longer than 50 or so rounds.

I still really like this pistol, and I am just accepting these modifications as a "cost of doing business" in relation to 1911 ownership.

I may call Springfield though on another issue, my left side grip panel is getting loose. On this issue I will test the legendary Springfield service.

[lksstbls]

Not a metalurgist, but don't think I've ever seen spring plug listed as a MIM part. I think the walls are too thin for that process so it would have to be machined after MIMing, and that would defeat the economic advantage.
Whatever--the plug takes a beating from the bushing fingers, and shows distress and wear after not-very-much use. Kinda hard to tell whether your's is unique.

Any real gunshop will have quality replacement plugs--Brown, Wilson, etc. for less than $10. Expect, however, to have the finish (bluing) scraped off pretty quick.

[BlitzPig]

Thank you sir.

[Sidewinder6]

Im thinking that ding is not from firing the pistol. More from disasembly. The part still works. Touch it up with a gun blue pen or black touch up.

[wichaka]

Have seen this before, it usually is from the sharp edge on the inside of the barrel bushing where it contacts the plug.

Put a small radius on that edge and smooth it over, that should stop it.

[BlitzPig]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've been looking closer at the problem.

I'm really starting to suspect the very loose fit of the barrel bushing. Not only does it rotate very easily, far easier than any 1911 I've owned in the past, but once installed I can "rock" it top to bottom, as if it is pivoting on it's engagement lugs. I may just procure a NM bushing and a new plug and fit them myself.

I have left a message with Springfield Customer Service, but honestly, I don't feel like waiting weeks for something I can do myself at what is a very minimal cost.

[br6ppc]

Give them the ID of the slide opening at the front and the OD of the barrel at the 1st 1/2 in of the barrel. Or where the bushing actually fits.

They will send a new bushing with a .001 fit on the slide ID and the barrel OD. Also should show a much better group picture. Hopefully. I hope. It did for my 3 SA's.

Roy

PS. $20 or $30 buks.

[BlitzPig]

Thanks Roy, I'll keep that in mind.

What's really odd about this is that I don't feel accuracy of this pistol is bad at all.

[BlitzPig]

Well, I spoke with Springfield's customer service today. I'm going to give them a shot at it first, it's under warranty, and the price is certainly right.

I may ask about a NM bushing upgrade while it's in.

[BlitzPig]

UPDATE:

Got a call from Springfield this afternoon.

They replaced the extractor, finish reamed the chamber, and polished the feed ramp to address my extraction troubles. They recommended that I have the port lowered and flared. (More on that further down)

They also "tightened" the grip screws to address my loose left grip panel. Not quite sure what they mean by that.

They said we can ship it back, or do you want to send it to custom for the port lowering?

I asked, um, what about the loose barrel bushing and torn up recoil spring plug? Their reply was that the G.I. is a "Government Model" and that's how they are, nothing we can do, it's normal.

*SIGH*

However I kept my composure, and made a quick appraisal of the situation. My pistol is already at their facility. If I have them do the work I feel is necessary to fix this pistol my warranty will remain intact. It will save me running around to one of two smiths around here (25 to 50 miles) to have the work done, which would void the warranty anyway.

So I had her send it to the Custom shop to have a National Match bushing fitted, and I've done what I said I wouldn't do (it was really a matter of time I suppose...) I'm having them lower and flair the ejection port and fit the long ejector.

Ah, 1911s are a slippery slope aren't they?

;)

[Hawkmoon]

Ah, 1911s are a slippery slope aren't they?

More like a yawning crevasse ...

[BlitzPig]

Good analogy.

[BlitzPig]

UDATE.

I will have my G.I. back on Friday. Impressive turn around time from Springfield.

Range report will follow.

[BlitzPig]

OK, just back from the range...

100 flawless rounds through the G.I. Admittedly all ball. 50 230gr. S&B and 50 Aguila 230gr. ball.

At first I thought that I wasted money on the Match bushing, but after examining the targets closer it became apparent that my overall groups were tighter, and no more odd "flyers" as well.
I can only conclude it is doing what it is supposed to do.

Kudos to Springfield service, and the Custom Shop for their very fast turnaround time and apparent fixes of my problems.

As to the Aguila ammo, I don't think I'll bother with it again. Very dirty stuff. If functioned well, but I did notice some sparks flying, and like I said, it's really dirty.