Need help with Springfield 1911 problem

[Yowza]

I took my Springfield Compact to the range last night and fired about 30 or 40 rounds through it (had other guns with me I was mainly shooting.) Since it's my carry gun, I reloaded it and put it away before I left.

When I got home, I was going to unload it to clean it up a bit and I noticed that the safety plunger was up over the thumb safety and I couldn't take the safety off. Well, I got it back in the right place so I could completely unload the gun, but apparently the plunger tube has become very loose and I don't know what is supposed to hold it in place other than the tension between the pins. Is there anything I can do to fix it, because sending it back to Springfield is not really an option for the immediate future.

Rick

 

[Gunsnrovers]

The plunger tube is staked into place. Not a difficult job, but without the right tools it's not a DIY.

You can send it back to Springfield who will replace it under warranty. By most accounts, their service is quick and efficient. However, I would not as they will just replace it with another MIM tube.

I would go to a local smith and pay a few bucks for a steel plunger tube to be installed. The part costs about $10 and I think I paid $30 total (parts and labor) to get my last one installed.

If this is going to be your carry gun, I would buy another. Good example why folks often buy two of the same. Yours is currently unsafe for carry until you get it fixed.

 

[Yowza]

Yeah, I thought that was probably the case. I guess I'll look into getting it done locally. I wasn't really interested in the hassle of trying to ship my pistol off. As far as the carry gun thing, I've got a Sig I can use. I just have to deal with wimpy 9mm for a while, I guess.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Old Fuff]

Yowza:

Once it comes loose a plunger tube should be replaced with a seel part, not one made using the MIM process - which is less costly for the manufacturer, but also less dependable for the user.

The left grip should have a little lip at the top which presses against the plunger tube. John Browning put it there expressly to prevent what happened to you. If your grip doesn't have this lip, or if the lip doesn't press trightly against the plunger tube, replace that grip.

Or if the lip is there, but not tight against the tube you may glass bed it to get the required tight fit.