Atavar
Member
Long pointless post.
Based on some other threads I figured I would try and make a spring plug for my 1911 from a fired case. I liked the idea of the brass showing there and It seemed like it would be easy.
Now it would be much simpler if I had a half length guide rod. Then it would be just cut a retention ledge in the rim, polish and Bob’s yur uncle.
Of course my Kimber SS-II has a full length guide rod so I have to relieve a hole for the guide rod to pass through.
Simple, I thought. I can use the primer flash hole for a centering guide and drill a hole. Some measuring showed that an “O” sized bit should be perfect and I even have a brand spanking new one.
It turns out drilling a dead center hole in a fired case is not easy. The bit really wants to wander through the brass.
After clamping the case in place I get that done.
Now comes the part that fooled me. I do believe that the design allows for the use of a fired case as a spring plug but the tolerances here are unforgiving.
You can’t use a sized fired case or a many times loaded case. The spring will bind as you insert it and then the guide rod will bind on the spring.
I am still guessing but I suspect only a ONCE fired new case will work for this application.
I will shoot some factory ammo on my next range trip and let you know how it goes.
Sorry for the long pointless post but I wanted to vent a bit.
Based on some other threads I figured I would try and make a spring plug for my 1911 from a fired case. I liked the idea of the brass showing there and It seemed like it would be easy.
Now it would be much simpler if I had a half length guide rod. Then it would be just cut a retention ledge in the rim, polish and Bob’s yur uncle.
Of course my Kimber SS-II has a full length guide rod so I have to relieve a hole for the guide rod to pass through.
Simple, I thought. I can use the primer flash hole for a centering guide and drill a hole. Some measuring showed that an “O” sized bit should be perfect and I even have a brand spanking new one.
It turns out drilling a dead center hole in a fired case is not easy. The bit really wants to wander through the brass.
After clamping the case in place I get that done.
Now comes the part that fooled me. I do believe that the design allows for the use of a fired case as a spring plug but the tolerances here are unforgiving.
You can’t use a sized fired case or a many times loaded case. The spring will bind as you insert it and then the guide rod will bind on the spring.
I am still guessing but I suspect only a ONCE fired new case will work for this application.
I will shoot some factory ammo on my next range trip and let you know how it goes.
Sorry for the long pointless post but I wanted to vent a bit.
