Question about 1911pd main spring housing

[eveled]

Is the main spring housing supposed to be steel on a 1911pd? Mine is, and it strikes me as being strange that a gun with a lightweight frame would have a steel main spring housing. Also is the beaver tail grip safety supposed to be steel or aluminum. Thanks, Ed.

edit; This is an old thread, I already have the answer I was looking for. I updated the thread at the bottom. Thanks again, Ed

 

[eveled]

I could really use the help. If you have a 1911pd, please check the mainspring housing and beavertail with a magnet, and let me know if it sticks. I bought mine used and want to know if it has been monkeyed with. Thanks, Ed.

 

[M29since14]

I don't have mine handy but I remember it has a plastic MSH and a steel grip safety. Lots of folks do not trust the non-metal MSHs and replace them. I don't like them myself, but I don't worry about them unless the gun is going somewhere other than the range. As to Aluminum, it is hard to find good quality Aluminum MSHs. I haven't seen any since Colt used to supply them on Commanders.

 

[eveled]

Ok thanks, I hadn't thought of plastic. So mine was probably upgraded, I was thinking I got ripped off. That is good news! It is supposed to weigh 30ozs empty, I assume with a magazine. Mine weighs 31ozs with a magazine.
thanks again, Ed.

 

[S&Wman]

I can't comment on the factory mainspring housing for the 1911PD, but it wouldn't surprise me if they installed a steel mainspring housing. It seems like whatever is on hand gets installed, whether steel or plastic.
I've never heard of an aluminum grip safety. I've only seen steel or stainless steel grip safeties.
As for an aluminum mainspring housing, check out Wilson Combat. Years ago I bought a Colt Gold Cup and it came with a factory plastic mainspring housing. I dropped in the Wilson Combat aluminum mainspring housing and never looked back. The fit and finish is just perfect. A lot of places are out of stock but you can find them with some searching. Midway shows they are expecting them in on July 17th. if that helps.

Mainspring Housing | Flat | Full-Size | Aluminum-Wilson Combat

Wilson Checkered Main Spring HousingMainspring Housing, Flat, Full-Size, Aluminum 92AF

Good luck with the 1911PD

 

[t-bird]

BTW Ed your pd should weigh 28 oz empty. Best of luck.

 

[eveled]

Thanks, guys. My pd is 28.5 oz without the mag, and 31oz with the mag. Wich is what tipped me off that something did not seem right. I have my eye on Wilson waiting for it to come back in stock. When it does I will order it, and probably a .22 conversion kit for my full size 1911. Thanks again.

 

[M29since14]

And if you take the silly, unnecessary recoil spring guide rod out and replace it with the proper Browning/Colt style part, you can shave a little more weight too!

 

[bill2000]

My 1911PD is bone stock. Came with an aluminum mainspring housing ans a steel grip safety. Enjoy your pistol, I love mine.

 

[johnluke]

Has any of you 1911PD owners had any trouble with your reloads firing in your pistols? I just got one and had it to the range yesterday and had all kind of trouble with mine firing reloads with Winchester primers. Light to no firing pin strikes on the primers. I have never had any trouble with my reloads in any of my other 45 auto. Para ord, Spfld, Colt, S&W745. I haven't had time to look the pistol over yet.
John Luke

 

[M29since14]

Has any of you 1911PD owners had any trouble with your reloads firing in your pistols? I just got one and had it to the range yesterday and had all kind of trouble with mine firing reloads with Winchester primers. Light to no firing pin strikes on the primers...

My gun has been fine with everything I've used in it - nothing like my M&P45, which is very "particular" about what will chamber. It sounds like you may have either a problem with the firing pin safety system, or possibly a short firing pin or too heavy of a firing pin spring. First things first, is the pistol clean? (Take the firing pin out and clean everything.) Is this a new gun?

 

[johnluke]

I bought this pistol used but the owner said it only had 32 rds thru it. I am unfamiliar with the S&W 1911 and did not know if it had a firing pin safety or not. If so, I suspect that may be the trouble or the other two thing you mentioned. I'm from Illinois and we just got the concealed carry law passed, but I would not trust this pistol right now. The Chicago democrats which control this state are still trying to make us jump thru hoops. They just won't give up. Last in the nation to get a law passed.
johnluke

 

[M29since14]

I bought this pistol used but the owner said it only had 32 rds thru it....

The Chicago democrats which control this state are still trying to make us jump thru hoops. They just won't give up. Last in the nation to get a law passed.
johnluke

Good old Chicago, always leading the way - in oppression and corruption. You folks have waited a long time. Hopefully the Chitown thugs just will not get exactly everything they want. Good luck, you guys!

As mentioned earlier, start by giving your PD a thorough cleaning. The firing pin "tunnel" can accumulate crud and dried lube, etc., which could be a problem, but it seems more likely on a gun that new that you either have a short firing pin or interference from the firing pin safety. Take a look at the business end of your firing pin and see if it shows any chips or damage. Unload, lock the slide back, push on the safety plunger (bottom of slide) and then push on the firing pin. When you see it protrude from the breechface it should have a nice smooth radius. If not, it has probably chipped. All of the parts are easily replaced and should require no "fitting."

When you get your PD running properly you will like it.

 

[eveled]

My 1911PD is bone stock. Came with an aluminum mainspring housing ans a steel grip safety. Enjoy your pistol, I love mine.

Thanks bill2000. that is the info I needed. I love mine too! Ed.

 

[johnluke]

I took the gun apart and was going to take the firing pin block out but it looked like I needed to move the rear Novak sight over to remove the block. I couldn't budge that thing with a brass punch and hammer without damaging it so I gave up on that idea and just cleaned the gun and inspected everything which looked OK to me and put it back together. Went to the range yesterday and had no problems with it not firing. I really believe the trouble was in my grip, not releasing the firing ping block enough. Gun shoots to the left for me I need to move that sight over. I took the locking screw plum out and it just wont move. Why would the factory fit the sight so tight when it is suppose to be windage adjustable with a jam screw to hold it in place?
Johnluke

 

[eveled]

Problem solved.

I ordered a Wilson Combat aluminum mainspring housing. I went with the round butt option. I just finished the installation, and I am really happy with the results. I got the weight down to were it should be but the important part is it is more comfy to carry/shoot.

It is the perfect place between a factory grip and a bob tail. It just has the corner taken off that digs into my side and it is just enough to stop the grip from printing. The regular full size grips are still used without modifying them.

I know I probably ruined the resale, but it is not going up for sale, and now it is exactly what I wanted.

Anybody who carrys a 1911 I highly recommend this mod. I'll post pictures as soon as I touch up the finish and find my camera. Ed

 

[ericlw]

i have 2 1911pd's both backstraps are steel.

 

[eveled]

Thanks, ericlw. I'm thinking mine was original with the steel one too. Interesting because with the steel one, the weight of the gun is not what the spec sheet says it should be.

 

[ericlw]

well i bought one several years ago. and then another about 6 months ago. my first one has regular sights the other has night sights.

 

[eveled]

Here is the picture I promised of my 1911pd with the Wilson round butt aluminum mainspring housing installed.