Kuhnhausen

[Clark]

The trouble with Kuhnhausen's manuals [Mauser, Rem 11-87, and Garrand] is that there is information there, burried in scatter brained organization.

Some people are better than others at rooting out the information.
I am personally already scatter brained, so me and a Kuhnhausen manual is scatterbrained squared.

 

[andrew17]

Just want to jump in here for a second..

Pappytuner?
Congratulations Sir!

 

[45auto]

Tuner:" Armorer's guide to the 1911" or " An idiots guide to the 1911".

I'd buy it in a hearbeat.

Include lot's of "good" pictures to go along with your text...step by step pictures. Assume the readers are idiots...which I have been accused of several times.

It would be more useful than the books out now for fixing problems and general maintanence.

3 ring note paper and book, print as copies are ordered...$30.

 

[JNewell]

Tuner, brining the question of design and materials choices back to selfloading pistols in general and the 1911 in particular...and with the stipulation that I agree with everything you've said re: the 1911 extractor...

is it clear that the original JMB design was the best choice, at least in terms of efficient manufacturing?

Could we not have replaced it fully with a design like the SIG P22x pistols (for example)? Make the extractor out of bar stock...no tempering issues...easier shape to machine...use a simpler coil spring to actuate the extractor? Wouldn't function be unchanged? And wouldn't reliability be improved? I'm not an engineer...just thinking out loud here.

 

[1911Tuner]

re: Sig Extractor

JNewell said:

Could we not have replaced it fully with a design like the SIG P22x pistols (for example)? Make the extractor out of bar stock...no tempering issues...easier shape to machine...use a simpler coil spring to actuate the extractor? Wouldn't function be unchanged? And wouldn't reliability be improved? I'm not an engineer...just thinking out loud here.

Surely, and as has been observed, a spring-loaded external works very well...until one has to be removed and serviced under adverse condtions.
I have enough problem keepin' up with tiny springs and pins on the bench,
much less in a muddy shell-hole, which was where the original 1911 was
intended to go. Much simpler to maintain in the field, and without tiools.
The pistol's parts were its tools, right down to the cartridge rim fitting the
grip screw slots.

The 1911 was designed for military service. Law enforcement wasn't in the
plans, nor even the civilian market. Military service meant that it had to be kept as simple as possible. The problem with the pistol is that it's been around for so long, that many shooters have lost sight of exactly what its role was, and under what conditions. It's the epitome' of complex simplicity, and if original design paramaters are closely adhered to, as reliable as a rock.
--------------------------------

Thanks Andrew! That'd be...GrandPappyTuner though...
How's that extractor workin' out?

Cheers!
Tuner

 

[JNewell]

Good, but here's the follow-up. For 1911 extractors today, we have all kinds of scales and jigs and tools to fit, adjust and trim. Is this because they are made out of the wrong material, or -- if we had ones made to JMB's original specs -- would they not be required???

 

[1911Tuner]

Jigs and Fixtures

For 1911 extractors today, we have all kinds of scales and jigs and tools to fit, adjust and trim. Is this because they are made out of the wrong material, or -- if we had ones made to JMB's original specs -- would they not be required???

We have those scales and jigs, etc. because somebody figured that they
could make money from the sales of such things. Basic fitting is required
in most cases, no matter what the material, but that can be done without
special tools or fixtures. The two main advantages of correct spring tempered 1090 alloy over 4340 is that the former is more durable, and it
doesn't need to be retensioned nearly as often, if at all. One pistol that
I was personally involved with had been left in condition one for over 60
years. Not only did it function perfectly, but the extractor tension was
still right on the money.

 

[andrew17]

How's that extractor workin' out?

Flings 'em out good thanks to you sir.

 

[1911Tuner]

Shuckin' Brass

Andrew said:

Flings 'em out good.

Ahh...Excellent news!

 

[grendelbane]

I too recently purchased Kuhnhausen's manual. I also was slightly disappointed, though perhaps it is my fault for expecting too much.

I want to thank you, Tuner, for your various posts on extractor problems with the 1911. With your advice, I was able to straighten out my Delta Elite, which had been giving me fits. It would feed an empty case, but loaded cartridges would give it fits. It either would not feed, or, if it did, would not extract. Now, it is fine.

Amazing how much difference a little tuning made.

 

[1911Tuner]

Grendelbane's Delta

Ahhhh! Excellent news, sir. I had wondered how the extractor tweak
would work out on the Intense Ten. We don't see many around here.

Thanks for the good report. Keep those cards and letters comin'!

Tuner