1911 Mainsring Housing Question

[gunfan72]

OK so this is most likely a newbie question. I did search on the site and couldnt find what i was looking for. ( prob entered wrong search terms anyway) Here is my question i have a 1911 with the rounded mainspring housing. How difficult is it to drop in a straight one. Is this something i could do on my own. I have detailed blow out pics of the 1911. I just dont wanna start removing it and have springs shoot across the room. I was looking at dropping in the Wilson straight w/ lanyard loop. Id rather do it myself than rely on someone else. I feel like the more i can learn to do the better off I'll be. Thanks for helping this newbie to 1911 world.

 

[cornfused]

It's Very easy, you can probably find something about it on youtube.

 

[IndyGunworks]

where are you located, i would be more than happy to show you how its done, you can use my tools and practice all you want until you have it down.

 

[gunfan72]

I'm in the Kokomo area. And that would be helpful any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[Classic]

Does the new mainspring housing have a mainspring already installed? A lot of them come that way, makes the switch easier to make.

 

[Double T]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yL3-sb9_Jc

the brownells youtube channel has lots of info. Doesn't seem to be too troublesome, just make sure to keep tension on the spring/cap or you'll be hunting for it when it flies away.

 

[rockhopper46038]

Easy to do, even easier with a high powered magnet to pull out the spring cup retaining pin, but there is a definite chance of shooting parts across the room if you aren't careful relieving the spring pressure. Also easy to scratch your frame around the MSH lower pin if you don't use a proper tool to push out that pin. To my mind, the most important step is to tie down the grip safety with rubber bands or string before you start, unless you really enjoy fiddling with the sear/sear spring engagement when you try to put the new one in.

 

[NHT3]

I'll be in Walton on Saturday sometime around noon if nothing changes. I would be happy give you the quick and dirty on it while I"m there.. It shouldn't take more that a few minutes. Email me if you want to get together.

 

[dboz]

Wasn't there something special that had to be taken into account if the MSH was on a Springfield 1911? I think that I read that somewhere but right now I am too lazy to do the research.

 

[cascadewalker]

Wasn't there something special that had to be taken into account if the MSH was on a Springfield 1911? I think that I read that somewhere but right now I am too lazy to do the research.

There's something called the ILS (integral locking system) that will lock the mainspring cap in place, hammer down, preventing the hammer from being cocked on the Springfields, at least some of them. You can see what the takedown procedure is in the pdf manual from the Springfield custom shop link:
Springfield Armory

I don't think this precludes you from putting in a MSH from someone else, but I don't know for certain.

 

[AXE835]

Cascadewalker is right about the ILS got one on my Spring. 1911 A1.

 

[reaper101]

the video explains it all. its just that simple and it is nice to be able to learn to do your own work lol.

 

[IndyGunworks]

I'm in the Kokomo area. And that would be helpful any tips are greatly appreciated.

east side of indy, PM me if you want to set something up.

 

[EdC]

Easy peasy, did my Springfield MilSpec. A little tight going in, but it fit. Think I used an Ed Brown.