Stabilizing brace for 1911

[HPJeep]

So I've seen what is believed to be an Israeli manufactured 1911 mainspring housing in which a buttstock slides on and locks into place. That got me to thinking of a similar idea for using a stabilizing brace. Anybody know of a company making one?0

 

[Trashyshoots]

I have seen them with ar stocks on them but they're wildly ugly. Would much rather have a nice wood one, but I dont believe in paying for my rights. Never seen one with a brace that is considered atf approved for a pistol.

 

[HPJeep]

Yeah an AR brace would be ugly indeed. Who made them?

 

[kemikos]

You know, an upside-down tailhook-style (attached at the bottom of the grip) might not be so bad, and if the hinged part went over the forearm (instead of under like an AR tailhook) it might even be useful for mitigating recoil when used one-handed...

 

[jmorris]

So I've seen what is believed to be an Israeli manufactured 1911 mainspring housing in which a buttstock slides on and locks into place. That got me to thinking of a similar idea for using a stabilizing brace. Anybody know of a company making one?0

Do you have a photo of the one you are talking about?

 

[HPJeep]

Do you have a photo of the one you are talking about?

Let me search for it and I'll get back to you.

 

[HPJeep]

Here it is. There was another version I remember in The Shotgun News that had a similar setup but it had a thumbscrew instead of a lever.

 

[whm1974]

So how is a brace any different then a handgun buttstock, which makes the a pistol with one, a Short Barrel Rifle in the US. Legally owning one requires a $200 Tax Stamp from the ATF.

 

[Havok7416]

So how is a brace any different then a handgun buttstock, which makes the a pistol with one, a Short Barrel Rifle in the US. Legally owning one requires a $200 Tax Stamp from the ATF.

A brace is not the same as a stock. Typically there is a hole through a brace with a velcro or similar loop at the bottom so the user can strap the device to his arm. It was designed for persons with disabilities. Look up some pictures of braces and you will see what I am (poorly) describing.

 

[whm1974]

A brace is not the same as a stock. Typically there is a hole through a brace with a velcro or similar loop at the bottom so the user can strap the device to his arm. It was designed for persons with disabilities. Look up some pictures of braces and you will see what I am (poorly) describing.

You showed a picture that looks just like a pistol buttstock.

 

[Havok7416]

You showed a picture that looks just like a pistol buttstock.

I did no such thing. The item pictured by HPJeep is indeed a stock. To use it you need a tax stamp as you mentioned OR a barrel with a length equal to or exceeding 16 inches (and they are out there for the 1911). What the OP is seeking is the mainspring housing with the attaching hardware so he can mount a brace. From my searches I have found the MSH that he needs seems to be hard to come by all by itself.

 

[whm1974]

I did no such thing. The item pictured by HPJeep is indeed a stock. To use it you need a tax stamp as you mentioned OR a barrel with a length equal to or exceeding 16 inches (and they are out there for the 1911). What the OP is seeking is the mainspring housing with the attaching hardware so he can mount a brace. From my searches I have found the MSH that he needs seems to be hard to come by all by itself.

Sorry I got the wrong guy...

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a stock like that, bought it almost 40 years ago. It camecwith a letter from ATF stating it was legal acc nd did not require a tax stamp. Mone does not have the 2 eye screws in it.

 

[jmorris]

I have a stock like that, bought it almost 40 years ago. It camecwith a letter from ATF stating it was legal acc nd did not require a tax stamp. Mone does not have the 2 eye screws in it.

I would really like to see what your stock looks like and any chance you still have the ATF letter?

Here it is. There was another version I remember in The Shotgun News that had a similar setup but it had a thumbscrew instead of a lever.

I kind of like that attachment style, looks pretty easy, just rails machined into an arched main spring housing.

 

[HPJeep]

I have a stock like that, bought it almost 40 years ago. It camecwith a letter from ATF stating it was legal acc nd did not require a tax stamp. Mone does not have the 2 eye screws in it.

Did the ATF classify it as a C&R like the WWII Inglis Hi Powers with a buttstock? I'd love to see your letter too.

 

[dogtown tom]

I have a stock like that, bought it almost 40 years ago. It camecwith a letter from ATF stating it was legal acc nd did not require a tax stamp. Mone does not have the 2 eye screws in it.

True, the stock itself does not require a tax stamp, but attaching it to a handgun would. That's because attaching a shoulder stock to a handgun makes it an SBR if the barrel is less than 16" in length.

Mere possession of that stock along with firearms that it could attach to may also be considered constructive possession of an SBR, even if you don't intend to use it as such.

And BTW, those ATF letters..........worth the paper they are written on. Determination or opinion letters are merely the ATF Technical Branch's interpretation of regulations and federal law at that time. Over the years that opinion changes as staff attorneys change. At one point, ATF TB said replica stocks could be attached to certain handguns without them falling under the purview of the National Firearms Act, later another letter was issued saying such stocks must be original. Neither is law, but ATF's opinion.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I would really like to see what your stock looks like and any chance you still have the ATF letter?
I will have to dig it up.
If ATF changes their opinion over time, wouldn't they grandfather in those already in use?

I kind of like that attachment style, looks pretty easy, just rails machined into an arched main spring housing.

I have the letter...somewhere.

 

[Riomouse911]

Those BATFE/DOJ letters are handy to have... but most often it’s after you’ve been charged/indicted and are now paying for an attorney to fight for your freedom.

Personally I’ll stay away from the stocks/braces for handguns like the 1911 even with a letter, it just takes one knucklehead AUSA or DA to file a SBR case against you trying to make a point. The letter, if not superseded by a later one reversing the opinion in the letter you’re relying on, can possibly get you off...but those court battles can get pricy!

Stay safe.

 

[whm1974]

I've seen two pistol braces in the 80's. One for a 1911 and another one for the Browning Hi-Power. They were simply a short piece of metal with a half circle at the other end. It went over the shooters forearm and allowed the user to counteract the muzzle flip. It was aid for more accurate follow up shots.

as the braces were short to be used as a should stock, it can't be mistaken for one.

 

[kemikos]

I've seen two pistol braces in the 80's. One for a 1911 and another one for the Browning Hi-Power. They were simply a short piece of metal with a half circle at the other end. It went over the shooters forearm and allowed the user to counteract the muzzle flip. It was aid for more accurate follow up shots.

as the braces were short to be used as a should stock, it can't be mistaken for one.

That's kind of exactly what I was envisioning with the "upside-down tailhook" idea, though I'd probably make it a bit longer, more in line with other modern braces.

 

[Rexster]

With age and rough use, my right shoulder/arm/wrist/thumb could use an arm brace, and I don’t mean a AR-ish device that like to find a shoulder, but something tail-hook-ish, as mentioned by @kemikos.

For the present, an all-steel, full-length-grip 1911 is an “orthopedic” pistol, as I have had to stop shooting compact pistols right-handed. Yes, even a Glock G19 is now too much, to shoot right-handed, as of late 2017. A Glock G17 or all-steel, full-sized 1911 remains OK.

My current hypothesis is that a grip frame that reaches all the way to the “heel bone” area of my long-ish-palmed hands helps stabilize the weapon. The SP101 is my only compact handgun that meets that criteria, in factory configuration.

Edited to add: Yes, I resurrected an old thread, but it was actually the top-most result when using that big on-line default search engine.

 

[Jim Watson]

This bullseye shooter's grip is supportive although it does not brace the wrist - not allowed by rule.
http://www.herrettstocks.com/national.htm

 

[MAKster]

I believe the ATF ruled that those pistol buttstock/holsters are only NFA exempt if they are for pre 1945 pistols and it has to be the original stock. Not a reproduction.

 

[Rexster]

When I have seen series of images, showing the firing of shouldered, stocked 1911 pistols, I have noticed how close the sights were to the shooters’ eyes. In my personal case, it is not just my hands and arms that have aged, but my eyes, too, and I would rather get those sights farther away, and therefore have more interest in a tail-hook-ish brace, than a stock.

 

[Hookeye]

The 1911 buttstocks I saw were kits that had a 16" bbl to go with.

As for old rigs wearing repro stocks.
Think that's allowed on a few (BATF exempt).

That an original (Q&R?) firearm that took such a stock is allowed a proper reproduction stock.

Not like thugs are robbing stores w 3000 dollar artillery Lugers.

Somebody should have a recent BATF letter about it somewhere.