Firing pin spring problem on a 1911

[critter]

I have a Springfield Milspec that I have had for a few years and shot a reasonable amount. No problems with it outside of those associated with some out of spec reloads.

I shot it some this week with some 185gr cast SWC's and bullseye. Upon cleaning it, I noticed a good deal of 'gunk' that I could not get at in the extractor channel, so I took out the extractor and firing pin.

THEN I noticed the firing pin spring. It appears that the coils were not stacking on top of one another and those out of alignment were wearing decidedly and almost had flat places on them. Also, the first ring of the spring had broken off and was stuck on the firing pin.

I did not want the problem to worsen and cause the firing pin to become bound up extended nor did I want a too weak spring causing firing with a weak hammer fall or upon a drop. Threfore I replaced the spring with a new one. When I got the new one, I also noticed the old one was approximately .5" shorter than the new one.

Anyone else had that problem or know the cause of same? Bad spring from the start? Too much use with gunk in the channel?

Thanks for any insight you might offer.

 

[Coltdriver]

I used to shoot a lot of .45 from a couple of 1911's.

It always amazed me how gunked up the firing pin channel would become.

Sounds like you just let it go too long without cleaning it. It is amazing how you can let the springs go on them and they still work fine.

I had a norinco once that had a slide return spring that was so gone that it would cycle bird shot!

Live and learn!

 

[Old Fuff]

Critter:

Does you pistol have "the lock" in the mainspring housing?

I believe those that do were supposed to have a special firing pin spring so they could get the pistol past the California drop test. Tuner will know. He fools with Springers where I generally don't.

 

[critter]

No lock present.

Thanks for the replies. The gun has had appx 2000 rounds total through it and about half that since the firing pin and extractor channel has been cleaned.