Use of 1911 trigger stirrup die

[battlecry]

I have quite a lot of side to side play on the trigger of my Colt Gold Cup. Maybe the frame slots are out of spec, maybe it is the stirrup. I'm looking at reducing the play either with a Kings replacement trigger or by forcing the Colt stirrups out using the Brownells trigger stirrup die. Both cost about the same. I'd rather purchase the Brownells die and work with the Colt trigger.

I've never used the Brownells die. Has anybody used one and care to comment if it would be useful to expand the stirrup width?

 

[Spartacus451]

Do you really need a die? I just pulled mine out until it would not drop in freely and then pulled in a smidgen until it dropped in freely. The side to side play will probably come back over time either way.

 

[battlecry]

What was I thinking? Thanks, adweisbe, will give that a try.

 

[battlecry]

Kuhnhausen lists stirrup width as .620 with additive tolerances of +-0.010 for trigger blank and 2X +-0.003 for the stirrup arms. Mine measured at 0.606 or so.

Fitted it on a Panavise and spread them out to about 0.65 or so and that brought it to 0.618 or so. The milled channel is at 0.622.

Drops freely and feels better now. Dikem shows no rubbing. Still has side to side play, but it is better and I'm sticking with it.

Thanks for the tip, adweisbe.

 

[Specialized]

The Brownell's Trigger Stirrup Die works well, and is easy to use. You just put the trigger on the die, then lightly tap with a brass hammer around the stirrup, but not on the corners themselves. When you're done, it's formed correctly, like the die. It's a good way to make sure the trigger bow shape is true, which can sometimes be a challenge when just bending the bow sides in or out. Hope this helps -- good luck!