Flat MSH increase 1911 muzzle flip?

[Kayback]

I recently upgraded my ex carry now IDPA gun from an arched mainspring housing to a flat one, and Ed Brown Snakeskin flat one. It looks very pretty and I've been itching all week to shoot it.

I shot it today.

And I wasn't impressed at all. IMHO the muzzle flip has increased dramatically.

Now I'm no great whiz when it comes to stripping my guns and putting them back together, so I couldn't just whip the arched one back on and head back to he range. So next week I'm gonna set up the arched mainspring housing and take it to the range with me. That way I can shoot some with the flat and some with the arched to compare.

I was shooting my standard IDPA handloads, 201grain SWC at 850fps. While I didn't Chrono it to day, it came out of the same box that I chrono'd at my last IDPA shoot. I HAD been shooting my suppressed, bull barrel .22 all day, so that _MIGHT_ account for something but the 1911 was flipping so hard I lost my shooting grip every time I pulled the trigger.

I've never had that happen with my arched mainspring housing.

Am I just imagining it or does a flat mainspring housing increase muzzle flip?

PS most of my shooting is done modified Weaver, but it was doing it one handed, weak handed, isosceles stance.... everything.

KBK

 

[mtngunr]

The only reason the arched mainspring housing was added to the 1911A1 was due to a perceived tendency for the 1911 to point-shoot low for some soldiers....personally, I prefer the flat MSH, but that will vary from shooter to shooter....

 

[1911user]

I strongly prefer a flat MSH due to better pointing characteristics for me. I've never noticed a muzzle flip difference between a flat and arched MSH.

Take both MSHs to the range next time, and the tools to swap them, next time and do a comparison. If there is a big difference, I'll be surprised.

 

[BlindJustice]

Hey, O.P. how about telling us what model/make of 1911 that you
are operating here. 1911 platforms vary.

The original 1911 had a longer trigger and a flat Main Spring Housing (MSH). The 1911A1 of 1925 had the trigger shortened and the arched
MSH was added to make the average or less than average sized handed
users more naturally point it upward just a skosh <-- Highly Technical term
of measurement har har. Seriously the shape of the MSH can't make the
muzzle flip any better or worse other than how the user is holding the 1911.

Did you change your grip?going if you shifted your hand to cozy up the
bottom of the palm because you like the feell of snakeskin or whatever the bore axis would be higher and have more leverage against yer grip eh?

FWIW - i also like the flat MSH - my S&W 1911 5" Bbl. in
Stainless Steel. It came with a polymer arched and checkered MSH.
I didn't like the 20?LPI checkering it dug into the base of my palm a bit,
so, Brownell's has a nice selection of various styles. I bought a
Les Baer stainless steel w/vertical serrations flat MSH. I had a gunsmith
fit the MSH - he polished the place where the Main Spring resides and we
also swapped out the stock Main spring Cup and replaced it with a
MS Cup made out of Titanium. = Less Mass - THe hammer strut was
also replaced with a Ti Hammer strut = less Mass = quicker ignition time.
at least that's the thought, it's also replacing MIM parts. couldn't hurt.
It's had no affect on muzzle flip - I use a high grip and haven't shifted my
hand around - I have Hogue SMooth rosewood grips - didn't like the feel of
the sotcker checker rubber ones.

Randall


1911

 

[Kayback]

I don't think I changed my grip. I did try change my grip once I noticed the weapon trying to fling itself out of my hand, but I couldn't get any more comfortable than my original grip, so I went back to that.

As for the weapon, it is originally a Norinco 1911A1c, with a Commander sized slide and barrel, the barrel is a Colt, the trigger is an extended Chip Mcormack, the grips are Crimson Trace Laser grips, the grip saftey is a non speed bump non beavertail one.

The front strap is smooth, it has once or twice sported deck tape , but it has been smooth for the last year or so.

All these mods, except for the MSH have been on the weapon for the last 9 years, so nothing drastic has changed.

Incidently it also has PT night sights and I use Wilson Combat recoil springs.

 

[1911Tuner]

I don't think I changed my grip.

But your grip has changed, whether your realize it or not...or rather the
way the gun is positioned in your hand has changed...and that has changed the leverage. The purpose of the arched housing was to alter the grip in order to counter the tendency of the average shooter to yhrow his shots low when pointing and shooting in a hurry...like in a fight. In aimed slow-fire, it didn't make a lot of difference. I suspect that a lot of the problem was due to the shooter jerking the trigger and/or anticipating recoil, and pushing the gun.

It greatly depends on your hand. For some people, the arched housing forces their hand up against the grip safety tang, aiding in controlling the muzzle flip. You're probably one of those.

For others, the flat housing directs the recoil more straight back into the axis of the wrist. I'm one of those. For me, the arched housing causes the gun to flip more sharply, and it also causes me to shoot a little high.

I have fairly large hands, but not very "meaty" hands. The arched housing shifts the pistol, and leaves a sort of gap between the web of my hand and the grip safety. With the flat housing, I have a more solid purchase from heel to web.

 

[Kayback]

Thanks 1911Tuner, that's more or less what I'd assumed. Like I said I'm gonna fix up the arched mainspring this week and take both to the range next weekend so I do a side by side comparison.

KBK

 

[OFT]

Same ammo?

I have both flat & arched housings on my guns and really have no preference. To me sights and trigger length make more difference.

 

[BlindJustice]

1911Tuner described the grip & effect of the MSH Flat/ARched bettter than I but it is what I was trying to say. I also have hands much like 1911Tuner, I'm 6'4" 185 lbs - heh, ex-hoops 35 yrs.

Anyway, if the arched is better for you Kayback - perhaps you could
shop the flat snakeskin Ed Brown and get the same style but arched. ?

Good luck in finding your comfort zone with the old warhorse

Did you say which 1911 clone/variant you have?

Randall

 

[Kayback]

Yeah I did, a slightly modified Norinco 1911A1C.

Thanks.

KBK

 

[berkbw]

+1 on Tuner -

ALSO... some guys [like me] who have BIG, skinny hands find a better grip with the wide MSH. And with it my POA is very close to my POI. - which, I think, is why many non religious 1911 folks love 'em.

Hey, - for.. what? cheap - buy the other one and see - or borrow one at the range.

b-