1911 mainspring Housing.........?

[xXxplosive]

Which is the more desirable Mainspring Housing today on the 1911......?

A- Arched

B- Straight

Why was the Arched housing developed for the A1 anyway......?

 

[1911Tuner]

It seems to be a matter of preference, even though the trend has been largely the flat housing for the last 25 years.

The arched housing was one of the modifications that were implemented on the transition from the original 1911 to the "Improved" Government Model. The reason was to improve the pistol's pointing characteristics and combat the tendency to throw the shots low under stress when firing one-handed. The Improved Government Model was later adopted by the US Army as the Model of 1911A1.

Other changes were the scalloped cuts behind the trigger guard, a shorter trigger, better sights, a larger grip safety tang, and a different cut in the disconnector timing slot. The slidestop's thumb pad was also redesigned and the early double diamond grips had solid checkering. The front sight tenon was also changed from a simple round pin to a rectangular shape. The changes began in mid-1923, and were complete by late 1924 or early 1925.

 

[coalman]

Personal preference. The trend is flat of late. I prefer arched because it point shoots better and offers greater control one-handed.

 

[bigfatdave]

Which is the more desirable Mainspring Housing

the one that is comfortable in your hand, obviously
I like a flat MSH and longer trigger, with minimal serrations/checkering

 

[Walkalong]

I have both, but my preference is flat. Not a really big deal either way, but if If I buy one, I buy flat.

 

[rcmodel]

Strictly a matter of which fits your hand shape better.

Try both and pick the one you like.

The arched housing was adopted because back in the day, point shooting from a crouched position was taught in the military and a lot of folks shot low with a flat housing.

The arched housing bumped the muzzle up a little higher.

Today, combat shooting using sights is the preferred method.
And point shooting from a crouch is frowned upon.
So it matters not which you you use if you like the feel of it.

rc

 

[jmr40]

Instinctive combat shooting, arched. Slow fire target shooting, flat. As has been noted the original was flat, but testing during and after WW-1 showed better combat accuracy with arched mainsprings. Today few shooters actually use 1911's for combat or LE use and most are used for target and range use. Thus the preference for flat MSH's today.

 

[wickedsprint]

the one that is comfortable in your hand, obviously
I like a flat MSH and longer trigger, with minimal serrations/checkering

Same.

 

[claiborne]

I tried both, Arched for me please.

 

[CapnMac]

Yep, what was said above.
I learned--back about age 15, elebenty centuries ago--on a GI-issue 1911A1. So, arched is what fits my hand. I'll shoot high with a flat MSH. So, mine are arched, even the Officer's (courtesy of the Pachmyr accessory MSH).

 

[xXxplosive]

Would it be difficult to change out my Series 70 Arched to a Flat MS Housing without a gunsmith doing it....?

 

[CWL]

You can do it yourself. (you should do it yourself)

It shouldn't make a difference. The fit and operation is the same in how it fits to the frame and holds the Main Spring & components. The arched one just has more metal sticking out of it.

I suggest that you google the exploded diagram for M1911s to take a look at how everything fits.

Then google how to completely disassemble the M1911, and pay attention to the MSH disassembly & reassembly portions.

 

[Quoheleth]

Arched and very short trigger, please.

Q

 

[wickedsprint]

Would it be difficult to change out my Series 70 Arched to a Flat MS Housing without a gunsmith doing it....?

Wear glasses when you swap the MSH innards...I've shot parts across the room when I first attempted it. A rubber gripped vice would help, but not required.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Which is the more desirable Mainspring Housing today on the 1911......?
A- Arched
B- Straight

The one that fits your hand better is the more desirable. Just don't go flat or arched based on internet advice. Handle and shoot an example of each (it helps to have a circle of shooting buddies with different guns) and decide what works better for you.

 

[cuba]

If you remove the slide and carefully drop the hammer, the hammer strut will be in it's most relaxed state and about 0 tension on the main spring.

Wrap something around your grip safety to keep it engaged and tight up against the sear spring, so that the sear spring doesn't pop out of alignment.

Push main spring housing pin out from left to right with soft metal punch, remove existing main spring housing, make sure that the sear spring tab is in the frame slot and slip the new main spring housing in while guiding the hammer strut straight on top of main spring cap, install main spring housing pin from left to right and your done.

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun

good luck

PS. before anything you might consider getting a Smith & Alexander MSH with mag-well, come in arched or flat.