I prefer a flat MSH (Main Spring Housing) om my 1911's. The GSG/Sig 1911-22 has an arched main spring housing, which also contains the magazine disconnect safety. I ordered a steel, checkered, flat MSH to install and started the process this morning.

 

I got the old MSH out of the grip frame (and while I'm not advocating this), if you want to remove the mag safety, it is simply a spring and a lever inlaid into the side of the OE MSH. If you are changing out the MSH, you will have remove them anyway.

 

The next step is to remove the main spring retaining pin so that you can remove the mainspring assembly. On a normal 1911 the sping is retained by a pin that goes through the MSH, at the top, parallel to the bore axis (longitudinal). It comes through from the front side (side closest to the magwell) and overlaps the "cup" for the hammer strut, at the top of the main spring.

 

Problem is the pin in the GSG/Sig 1911-22's is at ninety degees to the bore axis (lateral) and cannot be used in the normal longitudinal position.

 

So, if you intend to change out the MSH, remember to order the main spring retaining pin also. I'll be spending part of today trying to track one down locally. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm in central western NJ, between Trenton and Lambertville.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Is it a roll pin or a solid pin? I had once bought a roll pin assortment from the harbor freight store that has come in handy a few times to source a broken/lost roll pin. Its easy to trim a long ping to length, however, it is rather lacking in very small diameter pins for the small parts.

Not a roll pin. Very small diameter, solid pin with a flat head...

 

 

...but thanks.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Hi Bob - check out Sayreville sportsman. Joe has a tray of 1911 parts... mostly used in one of his glass counters.