OMG, I just bought a used Springfield 1911. It has a IL!+ Pic added+

Rule3 · Jan 21, 2011

A loaded 1911 stainless with night sights, a few years old. Like new in the box.

The damn thing has a INTERNAL LOCK!

I never noticed it, nor ever heard about a 1911 lock.

There it is a little tiny hole in the mainspring housing. I only looked for it as I found two little lock keys in the box.

Sure enough, turn the little sucker and it locks it up.

Appears I have a project tomorrow. Anyone know how to eliminate this thing??

John Wyatt · Jan 21, 2011

I would guess you can just change the mainspring housing to one without a lock

MajorDude · Jan 21, 2011

I have a GI with the IL and like you, didn't realize it til I got it home and found the key in the case. I have had no problems in a year and a half though. I think you have to replace the mainspring housing and internals to get rid of it.

venomballistics · Jan 21, 2011

after market mainspring housing should do the trick.

Joni_Lynn · Jan 21, 2011

After market housing with the parts.

Kanewpadle · Jan 21, 2011

I had a Sprinfield Operator with the IL. Never noticed it either when I bought it. Because of the IL, it had a HORRIBLE heavy trigger. I swapped it out for a regular mainspring housing and never looked back. It's easy enough to do.

scooter123 · Jan 22, 2011

Rugers brand new pocket 9mm also has an internal lock. Personally, as long as they work properly and don't have any effect on the trigger these locks don't bother me. Heck my Remington 870 has an internal lock and the only thing that bothers me about that is I haven't a clue as to where I put the key.

Rule3 · Jan 22, 2011

Yea, It is more a matter of it caught me by surprise. Just never knew they had one.

I have a several Smiths with the lock. As long as they are just a range or target gun it really doesn't matter to me. I am not that much of a anti lock person. For a SD gun, no I don't want one, but even that is probably irrational. Probably better odds of getting struck by lightning or run over by a bus than the lock failing.Oh well, I really like the gun, even came with a extra compensator bushing. Gonna look like a real pro now

oldman45 · Jan 22, 2011

Why change it? The lock does not hurt anything and does not effect the gun or you in any way. At some point in time, you may want to sell it. Keep the box and keys but just do not lock the gun.

The next owner may want the lock in place and technically you will be have altered the gun and that would void any warranty as well as placing you possibly liable for any future injuries a shooter may sustain.

I would leave it as it is.

G-Mac · Jan 22, 2011

Yup, easy fix. I have a stainless Mil-Spec Springfield. I won a flat, checkered stainless mainspring housing made by Infinity in a raffle at an IPSC shoot. Had my 'smith install it along with a 3-hole lightweight trigger...problem SOLVED!

SW CQB 45 · Jan 22, 2011

there is a huge sticky on the 1911forum.com related to this

you can buy swap out internals and take out the key leave a hole
leave it as is and dont lock it
or buy a new MSH

How to remove the ILS, with pics, part-numbers & descriptions. - 1911Forum

Rule3 · Jan 22, 2011

SW CQB 45 said:
there is a huge sticky on the 1911forum.com related to this

you can buy swap out internals and take out the key leave a hole
leave it as is and dont lock it
or buy a new MSH

How to remove the ILS, with pics, part-numbers & descriptions. - 1911Forum

Thanks for the link! For now I think I will just leave it.
At least shoot the thing first

Easy enough "fix" if I have to take it out. Easier than a S&W revolver.

Kanewpadle · Jan 22, 2011

oldman45 said:
Why change it? The lock does not hurt anything and does not effect the gun or you in any way. At some point in time, you may want to sell it. Keep the box and keys but just do not lock the gun.

The next owner may want the lock in place and technically you will be have altered the gun and that would void any warranty as well as placing you possibly liable for any future injuries a shooter may sustain.

I would leave it as it is.

If he keeps the original parts, the gun can be restored to original condition prior to selling it.

The Springfield 1911 IL blocks the main spring. By adding the IL it creates a much heavier trigger pull.

Rule3 · Jan 22, 2011

Kanewpadle said:
If he keeps the original parts, the gun can be restored to original condition prior to selling it.

The Springfield 1911 IL blocks the main spring. By adding the IL it creates a much heavier trigger pull.

That's what I did on a few SW revolvers. Took out the flag, put in Wolff springs and when I sold them I put it back to factory condition.

Actually this 1911 has a darn nice trigger, I wouldn't want it much lighter. It does not appear to have been shot much at all so it may even loosen up a bit.

Here is a quick picture with the compensator bushing on it, Not sure if I like it. Might put the regular back on.

Steave · Jan 22, 2011

Yep, as others have said, an easy fix, just switch out the mainspring housing and you're good to go.

To me, the worst thing about the S&W lock is where they put it, it's just God-awful ugly and even if you "fix" the lock, it's still ugly.

Wheelgunner840 · Jan 23, 2011

Not a problem. I had the main spring housing swapped out with a Wilson palm swell replacement. You would not know that it didn't come from the factory with it. BTW, a little trigger smoothing and spring replacement, and this Mil-Spec is a tack driver! Fast becoming my favorite 1911! Good luck with yours.

WG840

haggis · Jan 23, 2011

The internals that need to be replaced are the mainspring, mainspring cap, and mainspring cap retaining pin. You don't need to replace the mainspring housing unless you don't want the lock exterior to show. I suggest a 19 pound mainspring rather than the 23 pound stock spring (some manufacturers already use lighter-than-stock springs).

Buck

Rule3 · Jan 23, 2011

If I buy a mainspring housing does it come with the internals? I can not tell from the description.

Say for example this one??(not getting it , just an example.)

Ed Brown Mainspring Housing Flat 1911 Government, Commander Smooth Stainless Steel - MidwayUSA

cmort666 · Jan 23, 2011

John Wyatt said:
I would guess you can just change the mainspring housing to one without a lock

^^^
This.

It's very easy to change the mainspring housing on an M1911. I've had at least three on my Series 70 Colt over the years.

The HARD part is actually removing the mainSPRING itself. You have to push out a small, nail-like pin from the outside of the housing to release it and it's a STRONG spring.

I've NEVER heard of even rumors that the Springfield mainspring housing locks malfunction, so unless you just want a different shape or configuration, I wouldn't consider changing it a priority.

Rule3 · Jan 23, 2011

cmort666 said:
^^^
This.

It's very easy to change the mainspring housing on an M1911. I've had at least three on my Series 70 Colt over the years.

The HARD part is actually removing the mainSPRING itself. You have to push out a small, nail-like pin from the outside of the housing to release it and it's a STRONG spring.

I've NEVER heard of even rumors that the Springfield mainspring housing locks malfunction, so unless you just want a different shape or configuration, I wouldn't consider changing it a priority.

I have disassembled them. I probably will leave it alone. Just wondered if the housing assembly came with internals or if I needed those parts also. From what I read on the 1911 thread it seems a new spring is needed if retaining the original housing .

I am taking a break from loading up a mess of 230 gr LRN to try it out tomorrow.

OMG, I just bought a used Springfield 1911. It has a IL!+ Pic added+

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