Ever had a 1911 Plunger Tube Unstick?

T

Texas Star

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Many years ago, I had a so-called "gunsmith" reblue a Lend-Lease M-1911A-1. Soon after, the plunger tube became loose. He must not have re-staked it right. Never had that problem with six other Colt .45 autos, all postwar commercial guns. Have any of you experienced it?

It must be rare, but has sometimes caused me to carry other guns when I thought about it. Otherwise, I love the old Govt. Model, although I think Star had the right idea in getting rid of the grip safety.
 
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never really thought about it in any depth. If its there to come loose, I guess it can. By design, once its installed it need not ever be messed with again save a meticulous refinish job. Rare would be the word for that failure.
 
I have had it happen on my guns. Once it was anew Springfield Armory and the plunger tube backed out enough to allow the plunger to block the thumb safety so that it couldn't be released without tools. I have also dealt with loose plunger tubes fairly often for customers. In my opinion it is the worst feature of the 1911.
 
As said above, not hard to fix. I had one (out of about half a dozen 1911 pistols) start to get a little loose. Once you know about the possibility, it's pretty easy to keep an eye on and fix before it becomes a problem. Easier, actually, than S&W revolvers with a few screws that can loosen up.
 
Had it come loose on a Kimber Classic Custom I purchased in the '90s. Bought a staking tool from Midway or Brownells, and fixed it. Haven't had a problem since. Haven't had that problem with any of my "US Property" Colts or commercial Colts.
 
I have had it happen to 2 Colts, both lightweight Commanders. I have never had it happen on a steel frame 1911.

A couple of makers have cast the tube as part of the frame, such as the new Ruger and the original ParaOrdnance. Good idea but hard to do with a forged frame.
 
Back in the day when I did bluing and .45 building, I'd blue the gun frame with out the plunger tube then put a drop of blue lock tite on the studs of the tube and stake on the frame, never had one come loose
 
Only once, on an older Springfield Armory 1911 Match gun. Had a new one installed and re-staked.....not a problem in over 5000 rounds fired since.
Randy
 
I have re-staked several over the years....Colts, a couple military frames and some clone guns. Only remember replacing one tube, the rest just needed re-staked and they were fine.
 
Yes, my Colt Lightweight Commander had a loose plunger tube when I bought it. It cost me $30.00 to have a gunsmith stake it using the proper tool. Money well spent. I have probably owned three dozen 1911's and this was the first loose plunger tube I ever encountered.
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I have had it happen so often, with NIB commercial Colts since the early 70s, that I bought the tools to properly restake the plunger tube. I degrease the area, use red loctite, then restake. I have never had one of my restaked ones come loose...
 
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It was pretty easy to put on with the Brownells tool I got. I also slightly beveled the inside of the holes with a dremel tool with a ball shaped cutter on it. This gives the pins something to flare into when you stake it. Read up.
 
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