1911 Tuner, advice requested

[velocette]

A friend has given me a Colts Officers model Mk IV series 80, 1911 to be cleaned, serviced etc.
It appears to be fired very little and entirely stock as sold by Colt Serial #FA336XX.
It has clearly been stored for many years without any service or being fired.
My intention is to return it to its owner with all proper service done.
I intend to replace the recoil spring & mag spring along with the normal cleaning and inspection. The pistol has a recoil spring plug which appears to be a slotted plug made of plastic. I've read of problems with Officers models with this plug. What do you suggest as the right thing to do with this pistol?
Note sir, that the owner is (was) a Marine. She - yes She has not used or handled this pistol for a long time. Because I am alive today due to the Marines being around Da-Nang airbase, I choose to do all work for the same amount those Marines charged me for my protection. All I will ask for is parts costs.
What sir would you do to this pistol for a most respected Marine?

Thank you in advance sir for your advice

 

[Jim Watson]

I am not Tuner but if I had an OACP to work over, the first thing I would do is put in the ISMI flat wire recoil spring system. This calls for taking a little off the rear of the slide's recoil spring tunnel for the flange on the new plug. Can you handle it?

 

[1911Tuner]

As Jim suggested...which will require machine work...plus a detail strip and thorough cleaning and reoiling.

The original OM recoil system was a disaster if the gun was to be fired more than 50 times a year. The tab on the spring plug would shear, spitting the spring and plug downrange.

Brownells used to sell replacement plugs, but I haven't ordered one in a good many years. The second best approach is to order a new plug and shoot the gun with the original...then install the new one for carry...and never shoot the gun with that plug unless necessary.

 

[kenhwind]

I read on the M1911.org forum- thread that Jack First Gun Parts has replacement recoil spring plugs for the Officers Model Colt pistol. If I can find a link I will post it.

The advice that has been given is certainly good advice, but if the owner is not a shooter, than keeping the gun OEM and procuring an extra spring plug might be a good option.

Here is a link:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=85237

 

[velocette]

Thank you gentlemen for your advice. The recoil spring plug in this pistol, looked like plastic but when I took it apart, I found that it was made of steel.
Do the steel plugs have the same problem of shearing off and launching the spring and plug downrange?

Roger

 

[1911Tuner]

Roger...it's the small rectangular tab...the piece that you see in the bottom of the spring tunnel...that shears off.

 

[velocette]

Tuner;
thank you. I will probably install the Wilson kit to correct this deficiency.

roger

 

[Jim Watson]

If she is unlikely to shoot it much, the Clark plug is stronger than factory but the flange is narrow enough to not require cutting the slide. Look at item no CLK 208-OM
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/clk1911pts.htm#guiderod

 

[gb6491]

If she is unlikely to shoot it much, the Clark plug is stronger than factory but the flange is narrow enough to not require cutting the slide. Look at item no CLK 208-OM
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/clk1911pts.htm#guiderod

I've been using a modified Clark plug and flat wire ISMI springs in my OACP for close to three years without any problems.
http://forum.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=2017581&postcount=6
Regards,
Greg