Remington 1911 Mainspring housing.
- Thread starter Polinese
- Start date
I won't say that the housing doesn't occasionally need fitting, but I've swapped a lot, and they were always drop in. The only issue was if you weren't careful removing the mainspring cap retaining pin, the mainspring cap and the mainspring went flying. There is some immutable law that they land in the darkest and most remote spot in your workroom and you will spend an hour on your knees with a flashlight searching for them. And don't ask me how I know that.
I've always preferred an arched mainspring housing which is why I've changed many. However, flat versus arched is a whole other debate.
I've always preferred an arched mainspring housing which is why I've changed many. However, flat versus arched is a whole other debate.
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As is the plastic vs. steel main spring housing.
My Colt XSE .45 Combat Commander came with a plastic one...when I posted that I was not happy when I found out (colored just like stainless steel), some posters took me to task saying that plastic main spring housings have not been found to fail more often than the steel ones. I would counter that argument with, "I will send anyone who wants my old plastic one for just the cost of postage. Have anyone ever heard of anyone giving away a steel mainspring housing gratus?
Yup...especially in the context of my XSE Combat Commander. The ONLY justification (in my opinon), for a plastic main spring housing would be for the purpose of have less weight...but that makes no sense for a gun that otherwise all steel, not a light weight, alloy frame Commander (not "Combat"). Also, they cleverly colored the plastic to mimic stainless steel, a deception in my mind.
I was so taken in by it that when someone posted that Colt was putting plastic M.S. housings on their XSE .45 Combat Commanders, I was sure they were wrong, until I touched it and found the characteristic warm feel of plastic. But then, that was the least of the problems with that particular Colt.
Yes...makers switching from steel to plastic is arguably a cost-saving thing...not a weight reduction thing. In short, I was angry about the "deception" in that if I wanted a damned plastic gun I would have bought a Glock.
Aguila Blanca
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I have never encountered a 1911 mainspring housing that required fitting.rkbanet said:
A lot of people seem to bash the remington 1911's. I bought one when they first hit the market and it has been a wonderful gun (and at that time, it had a flat steel mainspring housing).
When I've looked at other 1911 mainspring housings, altamont had some very nice engraved aluminum ones. Hogue has some very nice looking aluminum housings and G10 housings. I've seem other mainspring housings of the g10 type (carbon fiber, fiberglass, linen, etc., in an epoxy matrix) and they were very attractive. I would have to believe that those types of exotic synthetic materials would be more than sturdy enough for the application.
When I've looked at other 1911 mainspring housings, altamont had some very nice engraved aluminum ones. Hogue has some very nice looking aluminum housings and G10 housings. I've seem other mainspring housings of the g10 type (carbon fiber, fiberglass, linen, etc., in an epoxy matrix) and they were very attractive. I would have to believe that those types of exotic synthetic materials would be more than sturdy enough for the application.
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Only if the gun, or the parts in question are not made to the GI spec.
Today, many aren't, yet still call themselves 1911s.
I worked on the actual 1911/1911A1s in Army service. EVERY PART was "drop in". There was no fitting, ever.
On those very rare occasions when a part didn't drop in, fit, and work, that part was tossed, and another part from the bin was installed.
A mainspring housing should just slide in and fit without any work to the gun or the part. However, since there are no longer any govt inspectors certifying that different makers parts are in spec, there is no guarantee.
44 Amp very valid point. Something I point out to folk whenever I hear the whole 1911's are unreliable spiel. Got 20 diff manufactuers all tweaking the tolerances then folk are shocked when they can't swap parts. I wish they were like ar's with everyone, or most everyone using the same set of specs.
I do love my remington the little bit I've gotten to use it. The plastic MSH just irked me and I wanted to swap it out.
I do love my remington the little bit I've gotten to use it. The plastic MSH just irked me and I wanted to swap it out.
Because they are "better" or because they are cheaper?
since reading this thread, i too have a Remington R 1911.
it is new. i got it about 3 weeks ago, and the build date was in 2019 according to Remington, when i emailed them.
ok, so i think i will want to replace my housing as well.
yes, i know if it breaks, Remington will replace it for free, but it'll be with yet another plastic one.
so tell me, is the Ed Brown brand a good brand?
i know of Wilson, but i was watching a video on how to replace the housing, and the guy had an Ed Brown piece.
thanks in advance..
it is new. i got it about 3 weeks ago, and the build date was in 2019 according to Remington, when i emailed them.
ok, so i think i will want to replace my housing as well.
yes, i know if it breaks, Remington will replace it for free, but it'll be with yet another plastic one.
so tell me, is the Ed Brown brand a good brand?
i know of Wilson, but i was watching a video on how to replace the housing, and the guy had an Ed Brown piece.
thanks in advance..