Author Topic: 1911 Parts Questions  (Read 1605 times)

Perd Hapley

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1911 Parts Questions
« on: June 30, 2012, 03:06:32 PM »
I was looking at 1911 parts on Midway, and they list some mainspring housings as "Government" and some as "Commander." As far as I know, the Govt. and Cmdr. have the same size frame (except the dust cover). So how can a mainspring housing be a "Commander Mainspring Housing"?

Also, what is the best supplier for drop-in bits for a 1911? I am considering a flat mainspring housing, a shorter trigger, and possibly a barrel bushing.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2012, 03:01:39 AM by fistful »
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Jamie B

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2012, 06:52:39 PM »
They should be the same - probably just marketing terminology.

The Officer is the short frame.

No idea about the GSG compatibility.

If you have a friend with a full size 1911, you could try those parts in yours to see which ones fit.
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Fly320s

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2012, 10:19:51 PM »
This might have helpful info; I haven't read it.

http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?p=584#post584
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Fly320s

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2012, 10:21:25 PM »
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Hawkmoon

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2012, 10:35:51 PM »
I never shop for 1911 parts on Midway. I find their web site unusable. Brownells is much easier and better, and in general I think Brownells' prices are better, as well. Having said that -- something isn't right about that Midway listing, because you are correct -- the Government model and the Commander/Combat Commander take the same, full-size mainspring housing. As noted by Jamie B, it's the Officers ACP that takes a shorter MSH.

AFAIK all the fire control parts in the GSG 1911-22 can be replaced with standard 1911 parts. I believe that includes the trigger, but I'm not certain. I don't think a standard barrel bushing will fit, though ... but there are a couple of companies offering better-than-OEM replacement barrel bushings and guide rods for the GSG. There are some good discussions of these parts on the forum at Rimfire Central.
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Perd Hapley

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2012, 03:02:35 AM »
Standard barrel bushings are supposed to fit.
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seeker_two

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2012, 08:11:30 AM »
Maybe Midway is distinguishing b/t the steel Gov't frame & the alloy Commander frame?
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French G.

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2012, 09:44:24 AM »
What parts to use is kind of like asking about religion. Can't really go wrong on an MSH unless it is plastic. If this is for a .22 or a non-carry .45 I would consider trying a reduced power mainspring to see how you like that for trigger pull.

On other parts Ed Brown, SVI/Infinity, Smith and Alexander, Bar-sto, some Wilson, all good parts I've used, buy quality stuff and you'll be ok. On the trigger you can buy an SVI trigger and use interchangeable faces, but each face is about $20, neat profiles though. I like a short flat face usually. MSH shape is a big part of shooting, for tactical type run and gun stuff I like a checkered flat or wedge housing, but I'll be damned if I can shoot them well if Bullseye is the plan, have to have the traditional arched housing to keep it in my hand.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2012, 09:44:38 AM »
Maybe Midway is distinguishing b/t the steel Gov't frame & the alloy Commander frame?

What difference would that make? They still take the same mainspring housing. Mainspring housing are available in steel, aluminum, and polymer -- they all fit the same pistols. They are also available flat (straight) or arched, and smooth, serrated, or checkered (as well as some proprietary patterns like scales from some of the semi-custom makers). The Government model and the Commander/Combat Commander still all take the same size MSH.

Quote from: French G.
if Bullseye is the plan, have to have the traditional arched housing to keep it in my hand.

Actually, the original M1911 had a flat, smooth MSH, so it's not the arched that is "traditional." That's the new-fangled innovation. Today, various makers and models have one or t'other but scanning the plethora of 1911s available today I think the flat predominates ... but not by much.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2012, 09:48:12 AM by Hawkmoon »
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Jamie B

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2012, 12:52:55 PM »
I sourced an aluminum MSH for my carry gun.

Slight weight reduction, and really helped improve balance.

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seeker_two

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2012, 03:29:14 PM »
Hawkmoon: Maybe they call the steel ones "Gov't" and the alloy ones "Commander"....and I guess they'd call the polymer ones "Glock"....
Impressed yet befogged, they grasped at his vivid leading phrases, seeing only their surface meaning, and missing the deeper current of his thought.

Hawkmoon

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2012, 05:11:42 PM »
Hawkmoon: Maybe they call the steel ones "Gov't" and the alloy ones "Commander"....and I guess they'd call the polymer ones "Glock"....

Was that a joke, or should I explain?
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seeker_two

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2012, 11:28:30 PM »
Impressed yet befogged, they grasped at his vivid leading phrases, seeing only their surface meaning, and missing the deeper current of his thought.

Hawkmoon

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2012, 11:37:07 PM »
http://youtube.com/watch?v=C6cxNR9ML8k


You don't understand ... my sense of humour was surgically removed when I was 8 months old. If'n you're going to make a jokey, you have to warn me.
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seeker_two

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Re: 1911 Parts Questions
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2012, 11:57:54 PM »
You don't understand ... my sense of humour was surgically removed when I was 8 months old. If'n you're going to make a jokey, you have to warn me.

You're on APS.....that's not enough warning for you?....
Impressed yet befogged, they grasped at his vivid leading phrases, seeing only their surface meaning, and missing the deeper current of his thought.