steviesterno Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Hey all, forgive me if this should be in smithing, but figured you 1911 guys would know your stuff. Back story: I switched out my random MSH for an S&A one piece magwell/MSH on my 4" springfield lightweight loaded. I used the same "guts" off the one that was in it before, hammer spring, pins, top and bottom piece, etc. When I got the gun all back together, I found out I have what seems like hammer bounce. Symptoms: Hammer is sitting "floppy" in the middle of its range of motion. If i cock it, it stays cocked. Grip safety works, thumb safety works. Pull the trigger, and the hammer hits the FP and instead of staying there, it bounces back to that floppy middle ground. I say sloppy because it has a little fore and aft movement, but won't bounce into full cocked or back into the FP. I tried a more powerful main spring pin, with the same results. I guess the real question is WTH is going on? I don' think I damaged any parts on the dis or reassembly, but I may be wrong. What do I do? I really don't want to take my 1911 to my smith and explain that I'm stupid and broke it. I already do that enough with my mechanic... Please help, everyone! I want to get this fixed and back on my hip, as it's my EDC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz-0 Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 You replaced the Springfield MSG with internal locking system with a smith & Alexander MSG? The ils mainspring is not the same length as a normal mainspring. I forget if you need to replace the plunger too, but I suspect that's the basis of your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviesterno Posted December 27, 2011 Author Share Posted December 27, 2011 When I got the pistol it didn't have the original MSH with a lock. It had a MSH that took a removable mag well (which was held in by the main pin. Also, when I put it all back together with original parts it still had the hammer problem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumpygravy Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I'm not familiar with that model Springfield. It does sound like there's a difference in some dimension somewhere, although replacing the original parts should have fixed it. I'm no 'smith and I'm not saying it'll work or that you should try it on a duty gun, but I remember an old school trick of leaving the mainspring cap retaining pin out during assembly. This keeps constant spring tension on the hammer strut and therefore the hammer removing the slop that you're experiencing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powder Finger Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 The M/S cap is hitting the retaining pin before the hammer is down on the firing pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 The M/S cap is hitting the retaining pin before the hammer is down on the firing pin. yep. the OP needs to either remove the cap pin, or get a new cap and spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parallax3D Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 The M/S cap is hitting the retaining pin before the hammer is down on the firing pin. yep. the OP needs to either remove the cap pin, or get a new cap and spring. Or an extended hammer strut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviesterno Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 Thanks for all the help guys, it was driving me nuts! I was thinking and I remembered when I took it apart I thought it was weird there was no pin, and the spring was higher up. Thought I poked the pin out on removal, but when I put it back together (with a new pin!) it didn't work! Now my question is that as long as it proves reliable, any reason to not carry it like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powder Finger Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Thanks for all the help guys, it was driving me nuts! I was thinking and I remembered when I took it apart I thought it was weird there was no pin, and the spring was higher up. Thought I poked the pin out on removal, but when I put it back together (with a new pin!) it didn't work! Now my question is that as long as it proves reliable, any reason to not carry it like this? You mean with out a pin? if so yes, don't have a pin in any of my guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 For ease of assembly and disassembly, put the pin in from the outside and when you have it all together, pull the pin out. For disassembly, just cock the hammer and insert pin. If you'd like a longer device, just find a brad of the correct diameter and use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powder Finger Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 For ease of assembly and disassembly, put the pin in from the outside and when you have it all together, pull the pin out. For disassembly, just cock the hammer and insert pin. If you'd like a longer device, just find a brad of the correct diameter and use it. All these years and I never thought of that. great tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norther Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 My Trophy match came without a pin. You use the bent pin in Quack's photo from the outside for reassembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooter57 Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 ou can buy a kit from browness for $10,00 and change the ILS system to a standard system with the pin and not worry about looking for the take down pin or the parts shooting out of the MSH if you forget to go slow or put the retaing pin in. Try finding the little cap once it goes flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben-Sons Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I've never heard the "no pin trick" before, I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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