1911 Mainspring question

[Beethoven]

I have a TRP and an Operator.

The trigger on the Operator is pretty sweet, but the TRP is a bit heavy and has a bit of creep.

I think that part of the reason for this is the wierd and heavy mainspring Springfield uses for its ILS system.

Question: If I swap out all the MSH guts for USGI parts, including the MS, of course, will it clean up my trigger pull at all?

Of course I realize that there is much more to a good 1911 trigger than just the Mainspring, but that must be part of the equation...

Also, if I change out the mainspring and related components, should I change the firing pin spring to a standard-weight spring? The factory spring is extra-heavy with the titanium firing pin as an added drop-safe measure.

Thanks!

 

[HSMITH]

It won't make enough difference to notice. I would toss the ILS stuff in the can myself, but I wouldn't expect it to help the trigger pull.

I would leave the firing pin spring in, the gun works fine and it isn't hurting anything. They also had a reason for using it instead of a standard spring.

 

[Zach S]

My Springer mil-spec had a lot of creep in the trigger when I got it. I changed the MSH, and it still has a lot of creep. So, in my experiance, it wont affect it.

I install a new extra-power FP spring every time I change a recoil spring, just because wolff replacement 1911 recoil springs come with a new firing pin spring as well.

 

[Onmilo]

I use 17 pound chrome silione ISMI mainsprings in all my personal 1911 pistols and I use them in any 1911 that comes in for repair.
Call it wierd but these springs consistantly reduce trigger pull weight by one pound in every pistol that I have put them in.
Not good if you have a two pound pull weight wonder rocket, but then again I won't work on a pistol unless the trigger pull is minimum 3.5 pound pull weight and the owner of the foot shooter special wants the pistol corrected to a safe pull weight.

Chrome silicone springs do not take a set like conventional spring or stainless springs.
You can leave the pistol cocked and locked forever and the hammer fall will be just as reliable as a brand new gun.

Replacing the internal lock mainspring housing with a standard one and using brand new stainless steel internals along with a chrome silicone spring may make your pistol a bit more pleasant on pull weight.
I like and use Ed Brown and Smith and Alexander mainspring housings.

You might go ahead and replace the recoil spring with a chrome silicone version too.
16 pound weight is fine, I use 18 pound weight in pistols that are shot quite heavily with full power loads.
Several thousand rounds through two guns and I haven't needed to replace a recoil spring yet.

While you are at it, lose the titanium firing pin and replace that with a standard steel one, blue or stainless.
If you ever bust a soft primer and fuse the titanium firing pin to the pin port you will understand my advice.
A very rare occurance, but it will really suck for you in competition or gunfight,.
It won't be much fun at the range when you have no way to correct the boo-boo either. HTH

 

[Old Fuff]

Changing to a lighter mainspring may effect the trigger pull, but only slightly and the creep may be more pronounced. However the mainspring also works as a buffer on the recoiling slide, so making changes may also have an unintended consequence.

What makes a good trigger pull on a target pistol (formal or informal) may not be good on a weapon. The hammer hooks that govern creep are also part of the safety lock (manual safety) system.

As has been pointed out so many times by Tuner, making a change may effect more then one thing. It is important to understand the whole picture.

Changing the mainsprin housing assembly (housing, caps and spring, etc.) to get rid of the maker's safety is one thing, and a matter of individual choice. But don't expect any substantial difference in the trigger pull.

The modifications you propose have been covered in several previous threads in some detail. Use the forum's search feature and see what you find.

 

[Beethoven]

onmilo:

Where can I get those nifty chrome silicone springs and who makes them?

 

[model 649]

Remember the engineering adage: "Fix one problem, create five others". Seen it, lived it.
Josh

 

[Beethoven]

Remember the engineering adage: "Fix one problem, create five others". Seen it, lived it.
Josh

I understand and agree, however in this case, I would merely be returning the gun to its intended state; I would be bringing it closer to the design specs that JMB originally intended.

 

[Onmilo]

Integrated System Management Inc.
http://www.ismi-gunsprings.com

You can also buy them from my gun part and tool God, Brownells.
http://www.brownells.com