How to install new mainspring housing?

[Sky042]

I bought a Ed Brown 30LPI Mainspring housing with magwell for my Springfield V-16 long slide. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what I'll need to do to install it?
Thanks

[car541]

Make sure the weapon is unloaded and the hammer is down

There is a pin at the bottom of the grip frame, knock it out with a punch. At this point the MSH can be removed.

After removing the MSH, you will notice a small cross pin though the top of the MSH (mainspring retaining pin). use a large punch to compress the mainspring from the top, and it will release the tension from this small pin.

next, as you hold compression on the mainspring, push the small pin out. This will release the mainspring cap, spring and bottom follower.

Reassemble in reverse order with the brown MSH. After you install it, be sure that the grip safety is free to move as before, if not, the top of the MSH will need to be trimmed.

[1911nut]

Since you're replacing the MSH consider a lighter mainspring. The factory spring is usually 23lbs.

A lighter spring can improve the trigger pull. I've had good luck with 18 and 19lb springs and they're easier to get back into the MSH.

[Vic303]

I'm not so sure I'd swap out for a lighter mainspring myself.. I just got done replacing the factory new main spring in my CCO. At 20# it was insufficient to guarantee a 'bang' every time I pulled the trigger. Mind you, it is in an Officer sized frame, where stock should be 23# anyway. I upgraded to a heavier Wolff 23# spring and for me, it improved the trigger pull (which had felt a bit mushy) and didn't make it too heavy. The hammer hits with much more authority, now.
YMMV...
Vic

[Sky042]

Someone else had mentioned that because the Springfield came with the ILS that I buy new parts specifically Mainspring cap pin
Mainspring cap
Mainspring
Mainspring housing pin retainer
Is that the case as well?

[trick pony]

I have also found its a good idea to put a ruberband around the grip saftey to keep it compresed

[gwalchmai]

Originally posted by Sky042
Someone else had mentioned that because the Springfield came with the ILS that I buy new parts specifically Mainspring cap pin
Mainspring cap
Mainspring
Mainspring housing pin retainer
Is that the case as well? I replaced the MSH on my SA GI with a flat aftermarket model, and all I replaced was the MSH itself. Seems to work fine so far.

+1 on the rubber band over the grip safety.

[Wolfgang]

Originally posted by gwalchmai
I replaced the MSH on my SA GI with a flat aftermarket model, and all I replaced was the MSH itself. Seems to work fine so far.


You used the ILS parts in the aftermarket MSH?

[gwalchmai]

Yep.

[Sky042]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
You used the ILS parts in the aftermarket MSH?

I wound up doing the same thing myself.
Here's a very short video of my buddy firing it.
http://www.cartersworld.net/Files/Range/MVI_0374.AVI

and my favorite picture from the range that day
http://www.cartersworld.net/Files/Range/IMG_0370.JPG

This is the before
http://www.ls1.com/pics/phxccw2.jpg

Heres the After picture of my 1911. I only got this one pic since my camera battery died.
http://www.ls1.com/pics/DSC00740.jpg

[gwalchmai]

I put 100 rounds through my GI with the new MSH with no problems at all. Sure feels better, too.

[Wolfgang]

I thought the internals had to be changed also. I've never done it, so what do I know????

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=115779

[gwalchmai]

I thought the same, Wolfgang. Looking at the parts, though, I couldn't see any reason for them to be replaced, so I tried it, and it worked.

Anybody else know if this is bad, and why?

[Sky042]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
I thought the internals had to be changed also. I've never done it, so what do I know????

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=115779
I was told the same thing.
But the dimensions seemed the same and everything worked perfectly.

I'm still going to replace the internals with Ed Brown parts but for my trip to the range that day the Springfield parts sufficed.

[Sky042]

Originally posted by gwalchmai
I thought the same, Wolfgang. Looking at the parts, though, I couldn't see any reason for them to be replaced, so I tried it, and it worked.

Anybody else know if this is bad, and why?
Only thing I noticed was the tension on the mainspring seemed a little higher.
We wound up taking half a coil off the mainspring but that wasn't really needed it cycled perfectly even before we did it.