Mainspring Housing retainer pin on a SA 1911

Dust Monkey · September 18, 2007, 05:18 PM

Just picked up a new SA loaded 1911. I like the arched Mainspring housing, had the parts on hand to change it out, save for the mainspring housing retainer pin. My question; Is it a necessary part? Will it hurt the gun to operate without it? I have a pin on order from Ed Brown, but if the pin is really not needed, I wont be in a hurry to install it.

Scorch · September 18, 2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

had the parts on hand to change it out, save for the mainspring housing retainer pin.

You have all the parts except for the pin? What happened to the pin for the old mainspring housing you took off of the pistol?

Quote:

My question; Is it a necessary part?

Yes, I would say so. If you don't put it back, how will you keep the mainspring housing in place? If it weren't necesary, why would it be there in the first place?

James K · September 18, 2007, 10:50 PM

Are you sure you don't mean the mainspring cap pin, which goes into the mainspring housing from the front and keeps the mainspring in place when the housing is removed? (The SA, Inc. lock system eliminates that pin, so there is none on your pistol.)

If that is your question, the answer is that no, you don't need it, but after fooling around trying to get the gun together, you will want it. Any pin of that size will do, even one made from a small nail. It should have a head on the inside to keep it from working its way out.

Jim

Dust Monkey · September 19, 2007, 12:06 AM

Thanks Jim, that was the answer that I was looking for.

September 18, 2007, 05:18 PM	#1
Dust Monkey Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2007 Posts: 723	Mainspring Housing retainer pin on a SA 1911 Just picked up a new SA loaded 1911. I like the arched Mainspring housing, had the parts on hand to change it out, save for the mainspring housing retainer pin. My question; Is it a necessary part? Will it hurt the gun to operate without it? I have a pin on order from Ed Brown, but if the pin is really not needed, I wont be in a hurry to install it.

September 18, 2007, 10:50 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Are you sure you don't mean the mainspring cap pin, which goes into the mainspring housing from the front and keeps the mainspring in place when the housing is removed? (The SA, Inc. lock system eliminates that pin, so there is none on your pistol.) If that is your question, the answer is that no, you don't need it, but after fooling around trying to get the gun together, you will want it. Any pin of that size will do, even one made from a small nail. It should have a head on the inside to keep it from working its way out. Jim

September 19, 2007, 12:06 AM	#4
Dust Monkey Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2007 Posts: 723	Thanks Jim, that was the answer that I was looking for.