1911 Plunger tube loose...

LivewireBlanco · November 9, 2013, 10:33 AM

After installing a new trigger I noticed that my Springfield GI's plunger tube is loose on the back side by the safety. It's not bad, but I imagine it'll only get worse. Is it safe to shoot it a bit until I can take it to the local gun smith or should I fight the urge to try the new trigger until it's fixed?

Also, I saw the tool to fix it on the Brownells website. Would it be worth it to try and fix it myself?

Roughedge · November 9, 2013, 04:18 PM

If you have enough metal left the staking tool will work. This is the tool I use when I build or repair one.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod9489.aspx

polyphemus · November 9, 2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Is it safe to shoot it a bit

The answer here would be:no.
That part is supposed to be firmly staked for the gun to safely and properly
function,taking chances when you know that something is wrong is not prudent.

LivewireBlanco · November 10, 2013, 10:57 AM

I honestly don't know how long its been loose or if it came that way from the factory. It doesn't come off and the grip holds it in place. What would the hazard be if it came off during firing?

polyphemus · November 10, 2013, 11:37 AM

Please get that plunger tube secured.
This is the smiths' forum but to answer your question one possible accident
would be if the plunger tube detached during firing released the spring and caused an eye injury.Responsible firearm owners do not take unnecessary risks.

LivewireBlanco · November 10, 2013, 12:10 PM

Thank you sir.

HiBC · November 10, 2013, 02:38 PM

I have used the tool Brownell's has as the "Gunnrunner" brand.Seems like it might be sold elsewhere as the Strobel brand.It has a support block to go over the plunger tube and a bolt to provide the force.The first one I did,the plunger tube was distorted and would not accept the plungers.Had to ream it.

I might have used 0.5 white knuckle too much on the wrench.

If you look at the Brownell's vise grip based tool,they sell an accessory .It is a two diameter support wire that slips inside the plunger tube with a loop on one end.It works good.

Some use a little Loctite bearing mount for additional security.

For the staking tool,you will spend about$40,the support about $17,plus shipping.LocTite will be $6 or $8.

You get to decide if it is better to find a local gunsmith or tool up.

Unless you plan on building a few,it might be best to just have it done.

LivewireBlanco · November 10, 2013, 09:58 PM

Yeah I'm gonna call a gunsmith and see what it will run. I only have 1 1911 so it doesn't seem I would use the too much to justify the expense.

dahermit · November 11, 2013, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Yeah I'm gonna call a gunsmith and see what it will run. I only have 1 1911 so it doesn't seem I would use the too much to justify the expense.

Just a suggestion on something you may want to consider: But the staking tool, fix your gun, sell the tool on ebay, gunbroker, or offer it for sale on this site as used. Doing such would reduce the net cost considerably.

RickB · November 11, 2013, 12:53 PM

Proper 1911 grips pin the plunger tube to the frame, and you could shoot for years without knowing that the tube was loose (ask me how I know). I'd never buy a set of grips that didn't cover the plunger tube.
It's amazing how much is forgotten about the 1911, even though it's right there in front of us.

LivewireBlanco · November 11, 2013, 01:59 PM

RickB, my grips actually do cover the plunger tube and that's why I have no idea when it became loose. The only reason I ever noticed was because I took it apart to install a new trigger and found it to be loose. It's not loose to where it would fall off, but the post near the safety moves a little bit. This is why I posted the question here.

James K · November 11, 2013, 03:19 PM

The grips do keep the tube from falling off, but it should be staked on properly. It was intended to be a permanent assembly. Some makers of similar pistols screwed the tube on, and that works OK, as well. Ruger casts it as part of the frame, so those presumably don't come loose without a hacksaw.

Jim

cerberus65 · November 11, 2013, 07:25 PM

1911s seem to breed - at least they have in my safe. I bought the tool at a point when I had fewer 1911s but could see the handwriting on the wall that I would be buying more.

The one I've had a problem with would back out and stay out. Yours sounds loose and held by the grip panel and so less dangerous and urgent.

LivewireBlanco · November 12, 2013, 09:56 PM

Yeah that pretty much somes it up.

tmlynch · November 16, 2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Just a suggestion on something you may want to consider: But the staking tool, fix your gun, sell the tool on ebay, gunbroker, or offer it for sale on this site as used. Doing such would reduce the net cost considerably.

Or maybe someone on this forum will rent you their tool for like $5-10, taking a deposit via PayPal, which will be refunded when you return the tool. I have rented tools this way via a car forum.

Good luck!
Tom

November 9, 2013, 10:33 AM	#1
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	1911 Plunger tube loose... After installing a new trigger I noticed that my Springfield GI's plunger tube is loose on the back side by the safety. It's not bad, but I imagine it'll only get worse. Is it safe to shoot it a bit until I can take it to the local gun smith or should I fight the urge to try the new trigger until it's fixed? Also, I saw the tool to fix it on the Brownells website. Would it be worth it to try and fix it myself?

November 9, 2013, 04:18 PM	#2
Roughedge Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Location: Monroe,NC Posts: 669	If you have enough metal left the staking tool will work. This is the tool I use when I build or repair one. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...-prod9489.aspx __________________ The man that die's with the most stuff win's!

November 11, 2013, 07:25 PM	#13
cerberus65 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Posts: 384	1911s seem to breed - at least they have in my safe. I bought the tool at a point when I had fewer 1911s but could see the handwriting on the wall that I would be buying more. The one I've had a problem with would back out and stay out. Yours sounds loose and held by the grip panel and so less dangerous and urgent. __________________ previously known as Kerberos

November 10, 2013, 10:57 AM	#4
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	I honestly don't know how long its been loose or if it came that way from the factory. It doesn't come off and the grip holds it in place. What would the hazard be if it came off during firing?

November 10, 2013, 11:37 AM	#5
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	Please get that plunger tube secured. This is the smiths' forum but to answer your question one possible accident would be if the plunger tube detached during firing released the spring and caused an eye injury.Responsible firearm owners do not take unnecessary risks.

November 10, 2013, 12:10 PM	#6
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	Thank you sir.

November 10, 2013, 02:38 PM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I have used the tool Brownell's has as the "Gunnrunner" brand.Seems like it might be sold elsewhere as the Strobel brand.It has a support block to go over the plunger tube and a bolt to provide the force.The first one I did,the plunger tube was distorted and would not accept the plungers.Had to ream it. I might have used 0.5 white knuckle too much on the wrench. If you look at the Brownell's vise grip based tool,they sell an accessory .It is a two diameter support wire that slips inside the plunger tube with a loop on one end.It works good. Some use a little Loctite bearing mount for additional security. For the staking tool,you will spend about$40,the support about $17,plus shipping.LocTite will be $6 or $8. You get to decide if it is better to find a local gunsmith or tool up. Unless you plan on building a few,it might be best to just have it done.

November 10, 2013, 09:58 PM	#8
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	Yeah I'm gonna call a gunsmith and see what it will run. I only have 1 1911 so it doesn't seem I would use the too much to justify the expense.

November 11, 2013, 12:53 PM	#10
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Proper 1911 grips pin the plunger tube to the frame, and you could shoot for years without knowing that the tube was loose (ask me how I know). I'd never buy a set of grips that didn't cover the plunger tube. It's amazing how much is forgotten about the 1911, even though it's right there in front of us.

November 11, 2013, 01:59 PM	#11
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	RickB, my grips actually do cover the plunger tube and that's why I have no idea when it became loose. The only reason I ever noticed was because I took it apart to install a new trigger and found it to be loose. It's not loose to where it would fall off, but the post near the safety moves a little bit. This is why I posted the question here.

November 11, 2013, 03:19 PM	#12
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The grips do keep the tube from falling off, but it should be staked on properly. It was intended to be a permanent assembly. Some makers of similar pistols screwed the tube on, and that works OK, as well. Ruger casts it as part of the frame, so those presumably don't come loose without a hacksaw. Jim

November 12, 2013, 09:56 PM	#14
LivewireBlanco Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: West Texas Posts: 64	Yeah that pretty much somes it up.