I have a Springfield Champion (steel frame) that I picked up at a gun show about 6 months back. It was filthy, a private sale, but it seemed to have potential and the price was right. I'm guessing its a late 90s model, and has been heavily worked on. It retains the Springfield frame, slide, and barrel, but everything else is aftermarket, I think all from Cylinder and Slide. Some light smithing also done to the gun, of decent quality. Also has decent grips and a nice blue job. I bought this pistol to round out my 1911 collection, my 1911s are all pretty utilitarian and see a lot of use, and I wanted a pretty one just to take out to the range every now and then, and also as a backup carry gun. My everyday carry is a lightweight Champion. PICTURE 404 I noticed this crack in the frame tonight. PICTURE 404 I am 99% sure this crack wasn't there when I bought it, I gave the gun a pretty thorough investigation and specifically checked all the common cracking areas. Since I bought it I have put maybe 2-300 rounds through the gun, mix of 230gr ball and 200gr powderpuff loads, trying to fix a poorly adjusted extractor. I am hesitant to try to get the frame replaced by SA, as I would have to put more money into it to get the non-factory bluing and fitting redone. So finally the questions: Is the gun unsafe? Can I keep shooting it? If I keep shooting it and it gets worse, will that effect my changes of getting the frame replaced under warranty? How fast should I expect the crack to advance? Could any of the work or replacement parts in the gun be causing extra stress? Anything I can do to slow it down? Would you feel confident carrying a gun with a crack like this for self- defense?
Nada problemo. I've got a Colt with that same crack on both sides that's been walkin' the walk at the range for about 50,000 rounds.
A little more visible...
Even if the crack gets worse, it's a Springfield, with a lifetime warranty (life of the gun, not the owner).
Fairly common problem with 1911's. Springfield does have a good warrantee if it gets worse.
That area on a 1911 is not under much stress, mostly ust the dust cover for the recoil plug/spring. It should not be an issue. That being said, if SA has a lifetime warranty, take advantage of it, there should not be that much work in duplicating the work to reinstall all the aftermarket parts.
Thanks, thats good news. I'll keep shooting it.
It's not going to blow up. It is probably not going to fall off. I have seen a gun cracked there shot for some time. The owner moved away before he wore it out. Choices are: Ignore it. See what SA will do to a gun that much modified. Stop-drill the crack with about a 1/16" hole. Have it welded up. The guy who used to work on such stuff for EGW will do it for $50 a side. I don't know if that includes reblue. http://innovativecustomguns.com/gunsmithing-services/ Either of the above might should include shaving the top edge of the dust cover to eliminate collision.
Tune in to Tuner - ignore it. My old Colt has one & I've never batted an eye, and it shoots like it doesn't have it...
Plus it's not unheard of for the crack to eventually re-appear after being welded up. I wouldn't worry much about it unless it seems to get worse.
I can't prove it and don't have enough examples to develop the idea, but I'm convinced that is the result of not enough radius inside the frame opposite the crack where the seat for the recoil spring plug is machined. Possibly a stress riser from the machining process. You would have to examine a bunch of those over time to prove or disprove that.