1911 questions

[American_Fusilier]

Hello my good fellows

A couple of 1911 questions for you 1911 guys

Arched vs flat main spring housings: is there a different other than the obvious? Can you interchange them without changing any other parts?

On my 1911, when it ejects brass it puts a tiny kink into the case. Are these cases safe to reload?

Extended magazine releases and slide releases, are they worth it?

Thanks guys!

 

[1KPerDay]

1. Personal preference, change at will

2. Yes

3. Personal preference. Some like them, some don’t. I like a longer mag release and a standard slide stop lever, which I release with my offhand thumb upon seating the mag.

 

[Demi-human]

Extended magazine releases and slide releases, are they worth it

Nope, but I have long thumbs.

On my 1911, when it ejects brass it puts a tiny kink into the case. Are these cases safe to reload?

Yup!
A 1911 can be tuned not to leave them, too.

Arched vs flat main spring housings: is there a different other than the obvious? Can you interchange them without changing any other parts?

They can be changed at will, but choose the right style, or we can’t be friends anymore...
(Arched, Lanyard loop, obviously.)

 

[bannockburn]

I myself have always preferred the flat mainspring housing. It just fits my smaller size hand more comfortably.

 

[JTQ]

A couple of 1911 questions for you 1911 guys

Arched vs flat main spring housings: is there a different other than the obvious? Can you interchange them without changing any other parts?
!

Do you have a Springfield with the ILS? If so, you'll need to change the mainspring.and cap.

On my 1911, when it ejects brass it puts a tiny kink into the case. Are these cases safe to reload?

Yes, they are safe to reload. Common issue on guns without a lowered and flared ejection port.

Extended magazine releases and slide releases, are they worth it?

I don't use them. I believe both levers are intentionally put out of reach of your right hand with a shooting grip to keep you from fowling them while shooting.

Most 1911 shooters use the left hand thumb to release the slide release. See Mandy Bachman with Larry Vickers - skip to about the 2:05 mark.



Most folks need to rotate the gun in their hand to reach the mag release. Shannon Smith with a Glock doing "the flip", interestingly, also at about the 2:05 mark. I forgot to note his slide release work at the 7:45 mark.

 

[edwardware]

Extended magazine releases and slide releases, are they worth it?

@1KPerDay is correct. I would add:
- I like a mid-sized thumb safety so my natural firing grip can switch it off while closing my grip
- I wouldn't add a slide release, because I wouldn't use it. Slingshot the slide instead.

 

[FL-NC]

Arched vs/flat = personal preference. As far as the extended mag release and slide stop, I say no. I have seen the slide stops snag, and the mag releases get hit when the gun is in the holster and even during the draw accidentally.

 

[Old Dog]

I myself have always preferred the flat mainspring housing.

But then, I myself, have always preferred arched! (There are those that believe an arched MSH makes the pistol point better in the hand, and then those the think the flat MSH does the same). Whatever feels better to you... more taste or less filling?

I'm with FL-NC and the others regarding extended mag releases and slide stops -- no, no, and nope. I've never heard a compelling argument for these devices, and in 50 years of shooting 1911s, never had a reason to even consider them.

As far as the cases, if the case mouths are creased, could be extractor (tension) that requires a little tuning... if it doesn't affect functioning it could resolve itself eventually.

 

[entropy]

Flat Mainspring housing is my preference. I can shoot one with an arched housing just fine, though.
I'm not a fan of the extended controls, for the reasons FL-NC cites; though I do have an ambi safety on my 1911.
One can adjust the extractor to eliminate those unsightly dings in the brass, but I don't bother. They reload just fine.

 

[bannockburn]

Should also mention that the Bobcat mainspring housing is just not a good fit for me either. Hits my palm in an uncomfortable way and makes the gun point really low on target.

 

[Reinz]

30 years ago I was ordering a Custom 1911 for IPSC. Before I spent $2500 I wanted to be sure I had the correct MSH/mag well combo even though 90 + % of the shooters swore by the Flat MSH.

I found this tip very useful: Get two 1911’s, one flat MSH, and one arched. Put a post it note on the wall somewhat at eye level. Close your eyes and bring the gun up and aim to where you remember the target to be. How close is the gun lined up? Repeat with the other sample.

For most people, one or the other will be significantly better. For me, it was the arched. I’m glad I didn’t follow the crowd just because of their likes. Heck, who knows, many of them could have just been following the crowd.

 

[starling]

30 years ago I was ordering a Custom 1911 for IPSC. Before I spent $2500 I wanted to be sure I had the correct MSH/mag well combo even though 90 + % of the shooters swore by the Flat MSH.

I found this tip very useful: Get two 1911’s, one flat MSH, and one arched. Put a post it note on the wall somewhat at eye level. Close your eyes and bring the gun up and aim to where you remember the target to be. How close is the gun lined up? Repeat with the other sample.

For most people, one or the other will be significantly better. For me, it was the arched. I’m glad I didn’t follow the crowd just because of their likes. Heck, who knows, many of them could have just been following the crowd.

Pretty much my experience as well. The Arched housing make the pistol point better naturally as it brings the bore up. You also have grip safeties play into this. Some folks have trouble with the grip safety when they go flat on the MSH and have to change it out. With a more traditional arched housing it kind of forces you activate the grip safety.

They all feel good though being 1911s. It all just depends on your mindset on modding things.... practical vs extravagant. Typically I dont do modifications unless I get something out of it. For some its for fun.... I am fine either way as its up to the individual to make the decision to do with their own property.

Sometimes..... its also just the individuals hands and the way they hold the weapon.

 

[Reinz]

Now I’m gunna confuse things more.

Bannockburn added a third choice to the mix with the Bobtail. I’m going to add a fourth, the Wedge.

I became aware of the Wedge in the late 90’s. I have it on two of my guns, one being my EDC. At the time, I just found it to be a bit more comfortable than the Flat and the Arched. I have no experience with the Bobtail.



^^^^ The Wedge



^^^^ Not a big difference from the Arched



^^^^ Not a huge difference from the Flat, but closer to the Arched.

Now fast forward 30 years from the Arched preference, and 20 years from the Wedge. I own plenty of Flats as well. I just tested all three with the exercise in my previous post.

Either my skills have diminished or they have gotten better even as an old man. I pointed all three equally on target! So at this point in my life, they all work the same for me.

But as far as “feel”? I like the Wedge and Arched best.

 

[starling]

Now I’m gunna confuse things more.

Bannockburn added a third choice to the mix with the Bobtail. I’m going to add a fourth, the Wedge.

I became aware of the Wedge in the late 90’s. I have it on two of my guns, one being my EDC. At the time, I just found it to be a bit more comfortable than the Flat and the Arched. I have no experience with the Bobtail.

View attachment 962543

^^^^ The Wedge

View attachment 962544

^^^^ Not a big difference from the Arched

View attachment 962551

^^^^ Not a huge difference from the Flat, but closer to the Arched.

Now fast forward 30 years from the Arched preference, and 20 years from the Wedge. I own plenty of Flats as well. I just tested all three with the exercise in my previous post.

Either my skills have diminished or they have gotten better even as an old man. I pointed all three equally on target! So at this point in my life, they all work the same for me.

But as far as “feel”? I like the Wedge and Arched best.

With enough practice almost anything gets better. Be it firearms, sports, handwriting.... etc. etc. You have just improved your skillset to the point that small variable dont throw you off. So much of shooting is mental focus and familiarity. The old... "its not the arrow its the archer" thing. The only bad thing I can really say about modding is sometimes people do it to quick trying to invoke the magic aftermarket gods in an attempt enhance performance. That can work too though if it elimnates doubt and increases confidence. Kind of a fake it untill you make it approach.... which does sometimes work. you still have to put in the work and time though. This also can span accross into different areas of life.

 

[CapnMac]

Arched vs flat main spring housings: is there a different other than the obvious? Can you interchange them without changing any other parts?

Personal experience usually matters more.
The US Army thought it was important enough to add arched to the A1. JMB did not think it important enough to add.
For me, flats sit too far "into" my hand and shoot way too low (as in holding like a foot high). But, I also started shooting 1911A1 about age 13 which is closing up on half a century ago--I may have some ingrained reflexes on this topic.
YMMV

On my 1911, when it ejects brass it puts a tiny kink into the case. Are these cases safe to reload?

Small kink probably only a problem for case mouth longevity. A 4-5mm whack will be a bit more destructive.
There's an entire rabbit hole to go down on the topic of "timing" which gets to extractor filing and ejector lengths, and really, getting 2mm shaved off the ejection port typically solves most problems.
But, YMMV.

Extended magazine releases and slide releases, are they worth it?

Not to me. Especially for all the fitting work required to get them to work. And even then, "work" is in the eye of the beholder. The increased snagging and the like are not worth it to me.
Ditto on ambi safeties. Possibly doubly so for ambi safeties.

Thanks guys!

De nada as they say in these parts.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Awesome. Thanks for all the great info guys!

I've only ever had an A1 1911 so all I've ever known in the arched. But in looking at a new one with a flat main spring housing, we'll see what I like better!

I think I'll skip all the extended controls too.

Thanks again guys

 

[cfullgraf]

On my 1911, when it ejects brass it puts a tiny kink into the case. Are these cases safe to reload?

Your other questions are well covered but I'll add something to kink in the case.

Sometimes you get a ding in the case mouth and the sizing die will iron it out and return the case to round. Sometimes the ding is too deep and the sizing die just crushes the case and ruins it.

If you push the ding out with something to near proper round shape, the sizing die will return to the case to the proper round shape without crushing it. I use a needle nose pliers, stick both jaws in the case mouth and push against the ding from the inside.

Oh, I'm in arched mainspring camp, but it is a personal preference thing.

 

[entropy]

Sometimes the ding is too deep and the sizing die just crushes the case and ruins it.

Never had that happen, but thanks! Now I know what to do if the ding is deep enough to warrant that.

 

[NMexJim]

Do you have a Springfield with the ILS? If so, you'll need to change the mainspring.and cap.


Yes, they are safe to reload. Common issue on guns without a lowered and flared ejection port.


I don't use them. I believe both levers are intentionally put out of reach of your right hand with a shooting grip to keep you from fowling them while shooting.

Most 1911 shooters use the left hand thumb to release the slide release. See Mandy Bachman with Larry Vickers - skip to about the 2:05 mark.



Most folks need to rotate the gun in their hand to reach the mag release. Shannon Smith with a Glock doing "the flip", interestingly, also at about the 2:05 mark. I forgot to note his slide release work at the 7:45 mark.

If you have to flip a bit more than you want, try looking at a set of VZ grips with an extended thumb groove. These are a set of thins.

There are times when I wished this was bobbed. The current models are.

 

[starling]

I will say this.... I wish I could add an arched mainspring houseing on the Tokarev. I dont know why Browning preferred the straight back straps (maybe it was to hit low) but it does no lend itself to instinctive shooting for my hands. The russians did the same thing on the TT33. Bowning didnt really like the grip safety either from what I recall...I dont either.

That being said... I still think the design is basically perfection... which say a lot because I am always looking for the weakness.

I have always thought If browning had his way he would have put out a 6" longslide, no grip safety 1911. The rest I believe were military contract requirements If my memeory is not off. Pretty sure the Flat bottom FP retainerlate was standard as well. He seems to have prefered slower cycle times on the 1911 (my hunch).

 

[starling]

If you have to flip a bit more than you want, try looking at a set of VZ grips with an extended thumb groove. These are a set of thins.

There are times when I wished this was bobbed. The current models are.

View attachment 962602

Nah... thats a nice pistol just the way it is. I wouldnt change a thing. Be proud of that fine piece.

 

[herrwalther]

Most of what you ask is just personal preference. I have short thumbs so I prefer the extended magazine release and the extended slide stop. Ironically enough, prefer the short (GI) safety and not the longer ones. There are very few parts on a 1911 that are drop-in, despite being advertised as such. So it is a good idea to pickup some 600 grit sandpaper to do some fitting on smaller parts. On my most recent 1911 build the extended mag catch fit fine but the extended slide stop needed a little bit of radiusing on the pin. Mainspring housings rarely need fitting or special parts in my experience.

If you have to flip a bit more than you want, try looking at a set of VZ grips with an extended thumb groove. These are a set of thins.

This is an option too. One thing of note is a set of good 1911 grips usually cost more than the extended mag release. On the other hand, grips are easier to change out. So try one at a time to see what fits you best.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

What 1K said.

 

[Walkalong]

1. Personal preference, change at will

2. Yes

Yep. I have mostly flat, but love the one I have that isn't, so........

 

[Tallball]

Arched fits my gigantic hands better.