Help I have broken my 45

tech · September 7, 2004, 01:23 PM

Well I am a bonehead. I was replacing my mainspring housing and tapped the new one in to far and it is binding my grip safety. Problem is it is such a tight fit I can't pull it back off. I need directions to remove the grip safety so I can use a punch to drift it back out some and possibly remove some metal for a good fit. I am looking to buy the 1911 shop manual but would like to get this gun running again in the meantime. I have wanted to compleatly strip a 45 for some time and now it looks like I have a good excuse. I know I am on my way to knowledge as I have to screw something up about 3 times before I learn enough to do it right.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

freecdp45 · September 7, 2004, 04:43 PM

http://www.m1911.org/full_technic.htm Go to this link it will tell and show you everything involved with a detail strip. You can do it just take your time.

tech · September 7, 2004, 06:08 PM

Thanks freecdp45, I knew somone would help.

Mike

tech · September 7, 2004, 06:16 PM

Ok, I have an ambi safety. After reviewing the directions on m-1911.org I see you are to remove the mainspring first. 1 can I remove the safety without removing mainspring housing? 2 How does one remove ambi safety?

Thanks,
Mike

Edward429451 · September 7, 2004, 06:23 PM

I'm not visualizing how you could get the mainspring housing in too far...

I'm thinking the leif spring may be in a bind and not seated in the horizontal slot. Take a good look at it when you finally get it apart to make sure its ok.

IANAGS!

tech · September 7, 2004, 06:39 PM

Edward, you could be correct. The reason I think its binding is the grip safety is rubing on something when depressed. But I also find I can't cock the hammer so I have managed to do something wrong. Oh well I will know this pistol even better before I am thru. How does one remove the ambi safety and grip safety.

Mike

Handy · September 7, 2004, 07:34 PM

Sounds like the hammer strut isn't in the plunger area of the mainspring, causing everything to bind.

I doubt you'll be able to get the top end apart without working the mainspring out, first. Try using a thin screwdriver blade to pry between the mainspring and lower end of the grip safety. Going slow, you should be able to move it wishout marring everything.

Good luck, and get a manual before you gunsmith.

tech · September 7, 2004, 07:51 PM

Why Handy, that makes too much sense. I thought manuals and such were to be used after trying everything else(which I guess is now). Thanks for the info on the mainspring I was hopeing I could remove everything else and drive out the mainspring with a punch or screwdriver... Oh well tiny steps.

thanks,
Mike

tech · September 7, 2004, 08:06 PM

Edward, you sir are the winner! The leaf spring that goes up the back strap, the sear? had slipped out of its slot in the frame when I slid the mainspring housing in. The only other mainspring housing I had replaced was on a Colt. The frame was not really true and it required me to tap it in. When I met some resistance on this Kimber I thought it was natural. Not so, with the sear in its slot the mainspring housing slid right in. I still need a book. This part swapping could get addicting.

Thanks all for the help.

Mike

Handy · September 7, 2004, 09:55 PM

So, how'd you get it out?

tech · September 7, 2004, 10:19 PM

Well I took your advice found the smallest screwdriver in the house. I had to use a mallot and tap it in between the grip safety and mainspring housing but once it started it slid right out. I am going to have to file on the top of the mainspring housing though as the grip safety rubs. It keeps the grip safety from kicking back after you release your grip. So there is no effective safety there. I wont be firing this until I have the problem fixed. Thanks again Handy and all.

Mike

Edward429451 · September 8, 2004, 10:11 AM

Well good, glad you got it apart. I think what you're calling the sear is just a locating 'nub?' on the lief spring to make sure it sits in just the right spot for proper function.

I've never had an ambi safety so have no guidance there. Is 1911Tuner here? He'd know I bet. If he doesn't show up here he'll be back on THR when it gets back up. You could post there to find out.

Patience bro, them 1911's are fairly simple once familier with the workings but some aspects of dis/reassembly do require a little finnesse to accomplish. Glad I could help.

Handy · September 8, 2004, 10:36 AM

As I recall, most ambi safeties are simply retained by the right grip. Once you remove the right side safety, the left side is removed from the halfway position.

FiremanDan · November 2, 2004, 12:14 PM

Yep Handy thats how mine is designed. When I remove mine I take the grips off and take the "Ambi" side and twist and pull just to kind of work it out. Mine works great. I do hate the grip safety spring though, what a pain, it never seems to stay where I put it, lol.

September 7, 2004, 01:23 PM	#1
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Help I have broken my 45 Well I am a bonehead. I was replacing my mainspring housing and tapped the new one in to far and it is binding my grip safety. Problem is it is such a tight fit I can't pull it back off. I need directions to remove the grip safety so I can use a punch to drift it back out some and possibly remove some metal for a good fit. I am looking to buy the 1911 shop manual but would like to get this gun running again in the meantime. I have wanted to compleatly strip a 45 for some time and now it looks like I have a good excuse. I know I am on my way to knowledge as I have to screw something up about 3 times before I learn enough to do it right. Thanks in advance, Mike

September 7, 2004, 04:43 PM	#2
freecdp45 Member Join Date: August 23, 2004 Location: WV Posts: 29	http://www.m1911.org/full_technic.htm Go to this link it will tell and show you everything involved with a detail strip. You can do it just take your time.

September 7, 2004, 06:08 PM	#3
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Thanks freecdp45, I knew somone would help. Mike

September 7, 2004, 06:16 PM	#4
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Ok, I have an ambi safety. After reviewing the directions on m-1911.org I see you are to remove the mainspring first. 1 can I remove the safety without removing mainspring housing? 2 How does one remove ambi safety? Thanks, Mike

September 7, 2004, 06:23 PM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I'm not visualizing how you could get the mainspring housing in too far... I'm thinking the leif spring may be in a bind and not seated in the horizontal slot. Take a good look at it when you finally get it apart to make sure its ok. IANAGS!

September 7, 2004, 06:39 PM	#6
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Edward, you could be correct. The reason I think its binding is the grip safety is rubing on something when depressed. But I also find I can't cock the hammer so I have managed to do something wrong. Oh well I will know this pistol even better before I am thru. How does one remove the ambi safety and grip safety. Mike

September 7, 2004, 07:34 PM	#7
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Sounds like the hammer strut isn't in the plunger area of the mainspring, causing everything to bind. I doubt you'll be able to get the top end apart without working the mainspring out, first. Try using a thin screwdriver blade to pry between the mainspring and lower end of the grip safety. Going slow, you should be able to move it wishout marring everything. Good luck, and get a manual before you gunsmith.

September 7, 2004, 07:51 PM	#8
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Why Handy, that makes too much sense. I thought manuals and such were to be used after trying everything else(which I guess is now). Thanks for the info on the mainspring I was hopeing I could remove everything else and drive out the mainspring with a punch or screwdriver... Oh well tiny steps. thanks, Mike

September 7, 2004, 08:06 PM	#9
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Edward, you sir are the winner! The leaf spring that goes up the back strap, the sear? had slipped out of its slot in the frame when I slid the mainspring housing in. The only other mainspring housing I had replaced was on a Colt. The frame was not really true and it required me to tap it in. When I met some resistance on this Kimber I thought it was natural. Not so, with the sear in its slot the mainspring housing slid right in. I still need a book. This part swapping could get addicting. Thanks all for the help. Mike

September 7, 2004, 09:55 PM	#10
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	So, how'd you get it out?

September 7, 2004, 10:19 PM	#11
tech Member Join Date: August 21, 2001 Posts: 85	Well I took your advice found the smallest screwdriver in the house. I had to use a mallot and tap it in between the grip safety and mainspring housing but once it started it slid right out. I am going to have to file on the top of the mainspring housing though as the grip safety rubs. It keeps the grip safety from kicking back after you release your grip. So there is no effective safety there. I wont be firing this until I have the problem fixed. Thanks again Handy and all. Mike

September 8, 2004, 10:11 AM	#12
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Well good, glad you got it apart. I think what you're calling the sear is just a locating 'nub?' on the lief spring to make sure it sits in just the right spot for proper function. I've never had an ambi safety so have no guidance there. Is 1911Tuner here? He'd know I bet. If he doesn't show up here he'll be back on THR when it gets back up. You could post there to find out. Patience bro, them 1911's are fairly simple once familier with the workings but some aspects of dis/reassembly do require a little finnesse to accomplish. Glad I could help.

September 8, 2004, 10:36 AM	#13
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	As I recall, most ambi safeties are simply retained by the right grip. Once you remove the right side safety, the left side is removed from the halfway position.

November 2, 2004, 12:14 PM	#14
FiremanDan Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2004 Posts: 4	Yep Handy thats how mine is designed. When I remove mine I take the grips off and take the "Ambi" side and twist and pull just to kind of work it out. Mine works great. I do hate the grip safety spring though, what a pain, it never seems to stay where I put it, lol.