(POLL) I like arched MSHs. Am I weird?

[Fatelvis]

First mod I do to all my 1911s is changing out the flat mainspring housing to an arched one. It just feels so much better to me, and points more naturally for me. It seems that all of them are offered new with flat ones these days. Am I am oddball, or are you guys changing them too?

 

[AK103K]

That and a short trigger in all of mine. And put a lanyard loop on the MSH's.

 

[LightninST]

Most are flat but I use / have both .

 

[CNobbe]

I like the arch on Gov't/commander frames but not officer models.

 

[doubleh]

First mod I do to all my 1911s is changing out the flat mainspring housing to an arched one. It just feels so much better to me, and points more naturally for me. It seems that all of them are offered new with flat ones these days. Am I am oddball, or are you guys changing them too?

I'm the other way around and really don't like arched housings but it's what feels good to you that matters. You will shoot a gun better that feels good than one you have to adapt to. That's one of the reasons I own no Glocks. They don't feel "right" to me and I see no way to make one do so unlike the 1911 that is easily modified.

 

[AK103K]

I'm the other way around and really don't like arched housings but it's what feels good to you that matters. You will shoot a gun better that feels good than one you have to adapt to. That's one of the reasons I own no Glocks. They don't feel "right" to me and I see no way to make one do so unlike the 1911 that is easily modified.

The reason the arched MSH came about was because so many complained about the 1911's not pointing right and shooting low because of the flat housing.

When you compare the 1911's with the arched housings to the Glocks, youll find they are very close to the same grip angle, and point basically the same.

 

[JR24]

Not an oddball at all, I know a few others who feel the same way, usually with a short trigger.

I like flat and a medium/long trigger, just fits my hands better, bit arched and short trigger work fine for me too.

 

[burrhead]

Arched with a long trigger every day and twice on Sunday. It is though a personal choice. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, we have options, and that makes America great.

 

[UncleEd]

Didn't answer the poll because it's become a split
decision.

For 1911 style guns, the arch.

With Beretta 92s, the flat back strap isn't
bad especially in two-handed shooting.

I believe the arch helps one-handed shooting.

As to the OP, Fatelvis, he may very well be
an odd-ball. His friends know best, I'm sure.

 

[jmr40]

Original 1911 was flat. Soldiers complained during WW-1 that it wasn't a natural pointer and the change was made to arched in the 1920's and military 1911's stayed that way until replaced by Beretta.

The role of the 1911 has changed from a combat pistol to a target pistol. Most target shooters prefer flat today. I can go either way

 

[Fatelvis]

I'm the other way around and really don't like arched housings but it's what feels good to you that matters. You will shoot a gun better that feels good than one you have to adapt to. That's one of the reasons I own no Glocks. They don't feel "right" to me and I see no way to make one do so unlike the 1911 that is easily modified.

I completely understand about not liking the grip angle of Glock ‘s. I am in the same boat. Recently, I have been building polymer 80 lowers, and now I have Glock like pistols, with the grip angle similar to a 1911. The best of both worlds! LOL

 

[sigarms228]

Personally I love the arched MSH. I recently put the Ed Brown one on my SIG 1911 and it made a noticeable difference in feel and how well I could shoot it. I have larger hands though.

 

[CapnMac]

I grew up with an arch, and persist in preferring it.

The flat MSH was a fashion trend as much as anything else. It was a way to change the "look" of the arm.

Now, people who ave always shot with a flat are going to shoot flat better.

There's no real magic to one or the other.

 

[Charlie98]

My first .45, a Colt, had an arched MSH... it was one of the things I didn't like about the pistol. My subsequent pistols have all had (and will have...) flat housings. It certainly boils down to personal preference... not everyone's hand is shaped the same, and I can see where some people would like the arch.

It's interesting... the new fad is the stepped grip safety, which I detest. For some reason, because of the shape of my hand, I have to death-grip it to unlock the trigger... but that may have been a poorly fitted one, I don't know.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I prefer not only arched but also with lanyard loop.

When Pendleton's MEUSOC was building 1911s in-house, I scored a pile of G.I MSHs that they otherwise deemed unserviceable to be flattened (their preference at the time) or just plain excessive inventory. I love sliding them in place of craptackular Colt's plastic units or factory flats.

Todd.

 

[AK103K]

Yea, what was Colt ever thinking with plastic triggers and MSH's?

Just something else to fiddle with, with the good old 1911's.

 

[md7]

I do like an arched MSH, but flat works alright too.

 

[cfullgraf]

I prefer the arched mainspring housing on my 1911s.

I have not converted all my 1911s yet. The ones not converted I do not shoot them much.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Love the look of an arched msh, especially on a military 1911, wouldn't look right without one, but I prefer the feel of a flat one.
Since my stainless 9mm Kimber is already an abomination in the eyes of the pure, I'm going with flat ftw.

 

[czhen]

Arc with thin grips are my choices feel right.

 

[WestKentucky]

Am I am oddball,

Totally irrespective of guns and gun related items, I am convinced that every human in this planet is weird. Some more than others. Some folks are weird because they are so abnormally normal.

Back to 1911s, I have only shot recent production guns with flat housings, but I have held a couple with arched housings and they do feel better. If I ever get a 1911 I will most likely put a arched housing on it.

 

[Rexster]

Arched “feels” better, but “feel” can lie or deceive, because flat is what actually points best, and produces the better result, on-target. Results matter, so I prefer flat.

Neither is weird. Use what works. If both work equally well, choose comfort.

 

[riverats]

On my 1911s the first things that get tossed into the parts bins are flat mainspring housings & long triggers ... in my hands, both alterations make for improved, more accurate shooters.

Here are gratuitous before & after shots of a Colt 02991 .38 Super ... had a set of late-war USGI Colt grip panels laying around, so I slapped those on too.

Before:

After:

 

[UncleEd]

"Back in the day," remember Colt used to produce
Government Models with arched MS and short
trigger, continuing the Army's 1920s change which
created the A1 designation.

But at the same time Colt produced Gold Cups with
flat MS and a basically "long" target trigger.

Strange how some manufacturers etch an A1
designation on the slide but feature a flat MS.

The arch was and is there
for quick draw and one-handed shooting as the arch
raises the muzzle slightly for better "point and shoot."
The flat MS forces a shooter to slightly raise or cock
his wrist upward which isn't the natural position of the
wrist/hand.

Today virtually all manufacturers of pistols feature
an arch or slight arch in their standard back straps.
And revolvers also feature some sort of arched
back strap.

 

[AK103K]

Arched “feels” better, but “feel” can lie or deceive, because flat is what actually points best, and produces the better result, on-target. Results matter, so I prefer flat.

Neither is weird. Use what works. If both work equally well, choose comfort.

That may be for you, but doesnt seem to be the "norm" for the majority, and hence the change from flat to arched with the government change.

I think whats more at play here, is what guns the shooters have learned on and have experience with, and their brain has a recorded reference/index for. With any of them, until you have that index, there will always be a learning curve until its established.