So my Springfield GI 1911 has a pin fall out when cleaning. It's the pin that holds the barrel to the part the moves with the guid rod (don't know the name). It's only a minor nusance since it only happens while cleaning, but is there a chance it can come off during firing and cause me some serious trouble? Is there a way to fix it or should I just let it be?
Are you talking about the pin that attaches the barrel to the link? If so it's no biggie it can't come out when the pistol is assembled. I put a drop of locktite on mine to keep from losing it when cleaning.
Yeah, that's the culprit. Any chance that it can fall out during firing? That's what I'm really worried about.
No. No possible way it can work out or fall out when the gun is assembled. To satisfy your curiosity, put the barrel on the frame minus the slide, with the slide stop pin in place through the link and see for yourself. It sets inside the slot in the frame so there is no way it can get away. The "fix" is a small center-punch dimple on each side of the barrel lug to keep the pin in place when the gun is apart. Only make them big enough to retain the pin, but allow easy removal later if the link needs to be changed.
The piece on the other end of the link is the Slide Stop. The guide rod is the one that goes inside the recoil spring. It doesn't touch the link or the slide stop.
The pin should be made with radiused ends specifically so it can be staked.
My main concern was the pin falling out during firing, but since that can't happen I'll probably just leave it as is. Thanks guys!
Stake that little sucker. Otherwise it will roll off of the bench and disappear down a wormhole into another dimension. Don't ask how I know this. If you decide to stake it be sure to support the bottom of the barrel's lugs on something very solid and immovable. Use a heavy hammer, swing it lightly.