1911A1 Mainspring Housing

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cleardiddion

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So, a question popped up while I was drooling over the 1911 picture thread.

Why was the mainspring housing changed over to an arched design compared to the flat housing of the original incarnation?

I mean, as far as I can tell, it wasn't a flaw in the original design because if that were the case the A1 type of mainspring housing would've remained on all subsequent evolutions of the 1911 including many of the modern day versions.

My curiosity is getting to me so if anyone has the answer I'd really appreciate it.
 
The arched housing was added to raise the point of aim when point shooting.

Back in the day, point shooting from a crouch was taught by the military, and many solders shot consistently low with the flat housing.

Today?
Pick whichever fits your hand best.

rc
 
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Most folks at the time were used to revolvers, and it was found that troops would shoot low with 1911's. The arched mainspring housing pushes the bottom of the grip further away from the hand, raising the front of the gun and making it point higher. Today most folks prefer the flatter mainspring housing. Times change and so do people.
 
Ah, ok.

Thanks for clearing that bit up.

Most folks at the time were used to revolvers, and it was found that troops would shoot low with 1911's.
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That little bit kinda applies to me.
I've tried to change my grip, mess with the sights, and so on and so forth but I always seem to shoot a little low. Nothing that I can't get by with a little Kentucky windage but I would like a pistol that shoots dead on for me.

I'm wondering if perhaps changing from from a flat MSH to an arched would maybe help me out in any way?
 
I'm wondering if perhaps changing from from a flat MSH to an arched would maybe help me out in any way?
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As I said in my previous post, with the same grip the arched mainspring housing would push the bottom of the frame away from your hand thereby raising the muzzle. Since the rear of the gun remains resting in the same spot, the gun will point a little higher. If you find yourself shooting low with your 1911, give one a try.
 
I have always preferred the flat mainspring houusing after first experiencing it on a Gold Cup. Just feels more natural and puts me on target quicker than one with an arched mainspring housing.
 
Actually, the military never taught firing from a crouch. They learned that lesson the hard way in the trenches in WWI, when soldiers armed with the 1911 fired low. As soon as the war was over and funds permitted, the Army began ordering modified pistols, the M1911A1, which incorporated several changes, all relatively minor, to the pistol.

Jim
 
I have always preferred the arched MSH.

RIANew2.png
 
I would think that from top of a mount you would want to shoot low instead of high, now in the trenches that would be a different story, maybe it was changed in 1927 because the circumstances changed.

shoot safe, shoot straight, and have fun.
 
from top of a mount you would want to shoot low instead of high,
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Was it me?

I would want it to shoot where I thought I was pointing it, regardless of how high, or how low on what I was perched.

I think that was probably the Army's thoughts too.

rc
 
I think that was probably the Army's thoughts too.
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Just so. The Army discovered that a man using the pistol under stress tended to punch it out in front of him at roughly shoulder height and point-shoot. With the flat housing, the tendency was to throw his shots low. The arched housing shifts the position of the gun in the hand a little, and worked to correct that to a small degree.

Bringing the gun up to eye level and using the sights, it doesn't make a whit of difference, especially when firing with two hands.

The arched housing also forces the web of the hand into bottom of the standard grip safety tang, and makes for a more solid spot-weld, locking the gun into the hand and working to keep it from "walking down" and shifting the grip under recoil, so in theory, it helps with followup shot accuracy. A few of the gamers at my range discovered this tendency, and switched to arched housings. They say that their scores improved somewhat.

As for me, I prefer the flat housing, though I can do about as well with either and it doesn't seem to make a difference in point-shooting...unless I shoot from waist level. At waist level, the arched housing seems to keep my shots headed in the right direction.
 
I like the flat. but, I see why some like the arched.
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^^ Me too, but even more important to me is to have the original round Colt style front strap, I had an awesome late 90's Springfeild Loaded but the squarish front strap led me to sell it.

About the MSH preference for me... flat or bobtailed. Arched is not too bad though!
 
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