SA 1911 mainspring and shooting glasses 00questions

[Joseywales3]

After almost a year, I'm headed back to serious shooting with my 1911. Will probably start IDPA as well. Last I remember, I had the following issues/questions:

1) On a Springfield Arms 1911, with the security key, what is the procedure for replacing the mainspring -to reduce trigger weight?

2) Does anyone make shooting glass that won't fog and condensate when I'm sweating? I know I can treat the lenses, but aren't there any glasses that "breathe".

 

[Jim Watson]

Purchase 19 lb mainspring and install with standard mainspring cap and cap retaining pin. Of course that disables ILS. Or do you need to lock down your gun?

 

[HSMITH]

Jim, doesn't the ILS housing require a shorter than standard mainspring? I am under the impression that it does, but I think I threw the last one I had away...

I remove the ILS mainspring housing, deposit in the circular file, and install a good checkered steel mainspring housing. I like the Titanium mainspring cap from STI, and I like ISMI springs. Most of my competition guns have 17 pound mainsprings in them, carry guns or defensive guns get a 19 or a 21.

It will slightly affect trigger pull weight, but it isn't drastic.

Glasses that don't fog, yet still protect your eyes from all angles? That is a pretty tall order, and one that I don't know the answer to. I use wrap-around style frames with safety rated lenses, I select them to fit tight to my face for added protection. I have seen way too much splatter come back off of steel targets and backstops to be comfortable with anything else. Having them fit my face tightly also helps them fog, but I can live with it.

 

[Jim Watson]

You can put a standard mainspring, cap, and pin in the ILS housing. It just doesn't lock any more without the long cap and its groove over the short stiff spring. I have an Ultra Compact that way. My full size MixMaster has a S&A mag well without ILS.

 

[Joseywales3]

Thanks guys. Don't need the ILS, so I should be good to go.
Just to be clear. I can replace my mainspring and keep the rest of the issued parts (housing,etc.)?

HSMITH, for fogging, you can try Organically Yours Glass Cleaner. Mostly found at gun shows. Little bottle of pink solution. I've use it on scopes, etc. with good result. I have also used it on my eye glasses, which were somewhat plastic lenses. I'll try it on my shooting glasses, which obviously are mostly plastic. On one pair of shooting glasses, I actually drilled tiny holes above the nose bridge of the glasses to allow air to flow. It actually helped and I can probably improve on that.

 

[Jim Watson]

You must replace the mainspring cap to use a standard length mainspring.
Get the retaining pin too, so you don't have to use the silly little tool.

 

[Joseywales3]

Thanks!