OK Tuner....what'd I do wrong? *sigh*

[jamz]

Well, I detail stripped my S&W 1911 today to see if I could do it.

Turns out, it's no problem at all! Strips just fine. Re-assembly took a few more minutes, but no big deal. Was pretty proud of myself, too, put the slide back on, rack, click, rack, click, all is well... 'till I noticed that the grip safety had no "spring" in it at all. Operated okay, out it would not fire, in it would... but it would fall in when the gun was pointed down....


So, I disassembed and reassembled it about five times now trying to figger out what's going on. Seems like it's fine until the mainspring housing goes all the way into place- then all the spring tension goes away from the grip safety.

I'm going to go out and see if I can see the rings around saturn for a bit, try to clear my head, and give it a shot again, but meanwhile..... any thoughs?

 

[1911Tuner]

Grip Safety

Well, bro...The far right leaf on the sear spring gives the grip safety its push.
Did ya bend it forward during the reassembly?

 

[jamz]

Nope, I left it alone ('cept for a good cleaning!) I can get a pic of it's shape if that would help

 

[1911Tuner]

Pix

Make it so, Number two.

 

[jamz]

in the gun, with mainspring housing in place

 

[jamz]

Make it so, Number two.

Aye Aye, Captain Picard!

 

[1911Tuner]

Pix

Looks like the leaf that kicks the grip safety into the "ON" position could stand to be bent backward further. Grasp it above the area where it joins the
main body to bend, and bend close to that junction. If you put all the stress on the junction...there's a sharp corner there...it'll snap off.

In my experience, once a spring has required bending or stretching to return to proper function, it's time for a new one.

 

[jamz]

Well, ya know I googled some sear spring pics and you're right (and I am not surprised ) ... I bent it back a but and the grip safety has the spring back in it's step!

Man, I was really careful not to bend it too when cleaning it. I didn't think spring steel (if that's what it actually is) would take a set so easily.

Thanks Tuner! I owe you a cup of strong coffee.

 

[1911Tuner]

Springy

jamz wrote:

> didn't think spring steel (if that's what it actually is) would take a set so easily.<
********

Well...There are springs, and there are springs. Since the manufacturer probably didin't make the spring in-house, and bought it from a vendor...and like the salty ol' Gunnery Sergeant noted: "Your equipment is supplied by the lowest bidder"...it happens. If you need a replacement, I recommend Colt's OEM sear springs. Available from Brownells for about 5 bucks, and the irony would be priceless.

 

[jamz]

Well, ya know... I happen to have a colt officer's sitting right next to me all dissassemblified. You can tell the difference in build quality- the kink in the thumb safety spring so it doesn't fly off into the wilderness when taking the thumb safety off... etc. The spring in the Colt is a much beefier piece of metal. It's almost silly what the difference is.

But I'm not taking the SW1911 apart again tonight.

 

[51Cards]

Amazing, what a little push on that MSH can do!

Softly ... softly ...!