1911 housing flat or arched?

[FW]

This is probably an old topic, but I've noticed most new 1911 style pistols have the flat mainspring housing and long triggers like the original 1911 while only a few "milspec" reproductions have the arched housing with short trigger like the 1911A1. I know that some of this is personal preference. It seems the flat/long cofiguration must be much more popular than the arched/short configuration since most new production and custom pistols are built that way.

Since the arched/short of the 1911A1 was supposed to be an ergonomic improvment over the flat/long of the 1911 (many decades ago), this is a little confusing. Were these improvements of the time due to a small group of military brass getting what they wanted or was the average size hand smaller at that time just as average height and weight?

I have examples of both and can't decide which I prefer (doesn't matter too much to me). It does seem the flat is a little more comfortable but the arched seems to provide a more secure grip.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I have small hands. Therefore, I like flat mainspring housings as they are more "ergonomic" to me. Ergonomic is very misleading and I dislike its use by gunwriters. What is ergonomic to A feels like a brick to B.

 

[45Badger]

With a stock gun with standard frame, I get best fit with arched MSH and short trigger.

I have a custom 1911 with the frame reduced (material off the "back strap" and MSH) and a standard trigger that is perfect in my hands.

Different hands=different preferences.

 

[Brian Williams]

I prefer the Arched MSH with a Lanyard loop and a short trigger

 

[HighVelocity]

Flat MSH and Long Trigger

 

[wally]

Flat MSH and short trigger.

MSH is easy to change and not too expensive to try.

OTOH, I've not changed out any of my arched guns, its what I started with, but have come to the conclusion I like the flat MSH better.

--wally.

 

[SAWBONES]

An arched MSH with a short trigger is my preference.

I can get along with a flat MSH too, but the "fashion" in 1911s for the past 20 years has been flat MSHs with long triggers, and until I tried a short trigger, I didn't know what I'd missed.

It's an individual choice, and you need to "mix 'n' match" to decide what works for you. Just don't assume that since all the "factory custom" 1911s seem to come with a flat MSH/short trigger it's the best setup for you.

 

[Tman]

I have small hands but I actually prefer the arched MSH. It seems to fill up my hand and give me a better hold of the pistol. Maybe its the shape of my hand (I've read a number of articles saying the thin grip/flat MSH is best for people with smaller hands - I guess I'm just different).

 

[akviper]

I have medium hands and prefer lanyard looped arched with the short trigger.

 

[gc70]

Try both and get the one that works best for you.

I have reasonably large hands and long fingers, but the palm of my hand is not very beefy and an arched MSH nestles into my palm better than a flat MSH.

 

[rhinokrk]

The arched feels/points better for me. That said, I don’t mind the flat either.

 

[Chipperman]

"What is ergonomic to A feels like a brick to B."

Excellent point. This has become a problem with virtually everything from cars to computers. "Ergonomic" is a catch phrase now.

In reality ergonomics apply to individuals. The guns that have adjustable backstraps fall into true ergonomics, because you can adjust the gun to suit YOUR hand.

 

[Old Dog]

I've pondered this very issue for years ... and concluded that while I prefer the arched MSH with short trigger (it just looks better -- the classic profile --to me, not that that means anything), I can live with a flat MSH and long trigger ... neither seems to feel or shoot significantly better in my hands.

I have, however, converted one micro-compact 1911 to an arched MSH just 'cause it made the pistol seem to sit better in my hand (and got rid of the Springfield internal locking system).

 

[g56]

Since the arched/short of the 1911A1 was supposed to be an ergonomic improvment over the flat/long of the 1911 (many decades ago), this is a little confusing.

The key words there are "supposed to be", I prefer the flat mainspring housing and long trigger, as do most of my friends, that's why it's so common on the new pistols, but it's interesting that it's considered an upgrade, the low end pistols usually have the arched mainspring housing. There are a few people who like the arched mainspring, so it's really a personal choice.

 

[nonquixote]

I found with my Kimber that when gripping the pistol normally my hand didn't even touch the flat mainspring housing. I also was accustomed to the CZ grip with the curved backstrap, so I wound up replacing the flat plastic housing with an arched stainless one and have been happy with it. I also prefer the longer trigger.

Nonq

 

[walking arsenal]

Arched MSH with hogue wrap around grips and a short trigger here.

 

[mete]

Fit the gun to you. It doesn't matter what anyone else likes .Flat or arched mainspring housing, short or long trigger, beavertail safety or plain. BTW the HK P2000 has four interchangable backstraps ,They're finally learning that there are different sized hands out there.

 

[Jubei]

Medium sized hands, I prefer the flat MSH with the long trigger.

Jubei

 

[Brasso]

I prefer the arched msh with either trigger, but the flat msh works good too.

 

[Brass Balls]

See which points better with your eyes closed.

Stand about fifteen feet from a silhouette target and with your eyes closed draw and point your (unloaded) gun at where you think the target's COM is. Open your eyes and see where you are actually pointing. Do this with both guns and see which one points better for you.

This is also a good way to develop a natural pointing stance, fwiw.

 

[Black Snowman]

All the 1911 configurations point the same for me until I pull the trigger. Then, unless it has an arched MSH, it comes back pointing low and to the left, and severly so. I like the arched MSH and the long trigger.

 

[Seraph]

I have medium sized hands (size Large gloves). I thought at first that I might prefer the flat MSH, so I put one on my SA Mil Spec 1911, and I shot very well with it (still had the short trig). Then, I bought another 1911, an SA GI Champion 4" model, which comes with an arched MSH. After shooting the new gun, I knew that the arched MSH was far better for me. Nowadays, I'm thinking I might even go with a medium or long trigger, like Black Snowman. I think the reason people with smaller hands (and others) tend to prefer the flat MSH, is that they can get their pinky finger around the front strap better, which gives one the feeling of a more secure grip. I think that is what I liked about the flat MSH, for a time. I do think the arched MSH brings the muzzle up to a natural point, as mentioned already, and, moreover, I think it puts the wrist generally at a more natural angle, which takes some kink out the trigger finger's pull, for me. These are my observations, based on my experience. You really have to figure out for yourself what fits you best. With the arched vs. flat MSH question settled for me, I'm now looking into a medium or long trig, without holes.

 

[happy old sailor]

Brass Balls - good idea. i like a flat housing with a medium length trigger. the flat housings takes stippling or checkering very well. arched is a little much for my hand, even when ground down and stippled/checkered. to each his own. i want no one to change to what i like because I like it. stippling does eat into my hand for tighter grip when shooting fast.

 

[Jammer Six]

I think the other thing to check is the mag catch: I put the flat MSH on both my weapons because it's much easier for me to hit the mag catch with the thumb of my strong hand with the flat housing.

Hitting the catch and dropping the mag with my right hand while my left hand reaches for the new magazine is much faster than doing it sequentially (dropping the mag with my left thumb, THEN reaching for the reload), and the flat housing makes it easier for me to hit the catch with my right thumb.

 

[birdman]

I have large hands and I agree with what Brass Balls says. My Combat Commander came with a short trigger and arched mainspring housing. When I pointed the gun toward the target with my eyes closed the sights were well above the intended point of aim. By switching to a long trigger and a flat MSH the gun now "points" much better for me. BTW I use this same technique when selecting revolver grips. So far the Pachmayr Decelerators are my favorite.