Officer mainspring housing?

[Rittmeister]

I just picked up an RIA Ultra CCO combo in 9mm/22TCM9R. I had a .45 CCO years back but sold it off, and have always thought that configuration in 9mm would be a real treat.

I have yet to shoot it but am already considering a few changes (of course). Extended thumb safety, blah blah. With that, I'm curious about the mainspring housing. This one is a straight style (which I prefer on a full-size 1911) and I find that the bottom corner is a bit sharp - I'm concerned that it'll dig into my palm under recoil.

I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a rounded MSH for this pistol. Being a CCO-type gun, it's got an officer-sized frame. I am NOT speaking of an arched MSH nor am I interested in a bobbed-type setup where I'd also have to trim the frame. In particular I really like the look of the Dan Wesson CCO, which has a nicely radiused/rounded bottom corner on the MSH.

Failing a drop-in solution, can I take this thing to a belt sander and do it myself? I don't have a feel for how much material there is down there. I'm pretty sure it's aluminum so working with it shouldn't be difficult if it comes to that.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Steve in Allentown]

. . . I find that the bottom corner is a bit sharp - I'm concerned that it'll dig into my palm under recoil.

Rounded like this? If so then you can do it yourself using files, sandpaper, etc. You won't need to remove much material to eliminate any sharpness. On the other hand, you will need to refinish or at least touch up the areas you work on.

​

 

[CapnMac]

Hogue offered, thousands of years ago now, an "arched" MSH for the Officers. To fit the Colt Series 80 explicitly.
It's not a huge amount of arch. But, it's some.
Lower left in image

After a quick duckduckgo, it appears Ed Brown, Smith & Assoc, and even Hogue offer them (in colors, too): https://www.hogueinc.com/accessories/mainspring-housings/1911officers
Now, whether they will fit an RIA is up for grabs (NPI)

 

[JTQ]

Edit to add: Ooops, my bad, the below requires frame modification. Sorry.

Wilson Combat has their flat "Round Butt" available for the Compact frame

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/MAINSPRING-HOUSING-FLAT-ROUND-BUTT-COMPACT-BLUE/productinfo/92BRBO/

 

[JTQ]

This article may be helpful

https://rifleshooter.com/2016/11/customizing-the-1911-round-butt-officers-acp-conversion/

 

[Rittmeister]

Rounded like this? If so then you can do it yourself using files, sandpaper, etc. You won't need to remove much material to eliminate any sharpness. On the other hand, you will need to refinish or at least touch up the areas you work on.

View attachment 1044640​

That's about perfect. I may just pursue that!

Hogue offered, thousands of years ago now, an "arched" MSH for the Officers. To fit the Colt Series 80 explicitly.
It's not a huge amount of arch. But, it's some.
Lower left in image

After a quick duckduckgo, it appears Ed Brown, Smith & Assoc, and even Hogue offer them (in colors, too): https://www.hogueinc.com/accessories/mainspring-housings/1911officers
Now, whether they will fit an RIA is up for grabs (NPI)

Edit to add: Ooops, my bad, the below requires frame modification. Sorry.

Wilson Combat has their flat "Round Butt" available for the Compact frame

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/MAINSPRING-HOUSING-FLAT-ROUND-BUTT-COMPACT-BLUE/productinfo/92BRBO/

My googling didn't turn up all of these, I'll have a look, thank you!

 

[koz4guns]

Smith & Alexander still lists them on their website, you might give them a call and ask.

 

[Rittmeister]

Well, I went with the "free" option. Pad sander and medium grit sandpaper, followed by emery paper to smooth it out. I'm very pleased with the results. Totally removed the biting corner at the bottom of the MSH. I just need to find something to re-black the aluminum where I removed the metal, and I'll be good to go.

I also went out on a limb and fitted my first thumb safety to this pistol. Followed a few YouTube tutorials and it seems to have worked like a charm.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. This forum is a great resource!

 

[herrwalther]

Well, I went with the "free" option. Pad sander and medium grit sandpaper, followed by emery paper to smooth it out. I'm very pleased with the results. Totally removed the biting corner at the bottom of the MSH. I just need to find something to re-black the aluminum where I removed the metal, and I'll be good to go.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006362177?pid=707229

Make sure you degrease the area before using this. Any trace amount will make splotches.

 

[thump_rrr]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006362177?pid=707229

Make sure you degrease the area before using this. Any trace amount will make splotches.

I have a bottle of that.
Works as advertised.