1911 sear spring?

original: thehighroad.org
Retrieved: November 13, 2011
Last Post: September 21, 2008

Kman
September 20, 2008

Had to replace a sear spring and noticed that the middle leg was too long. Instead of pushing the disconnect up into the frame, it was just pinching it and holding the disconnect in the down position and rendering the gun useless. I quickly fixed the situation by shortening the middle leg and some polishing, but is this a common situation? kind of thought all sear springs were the same length.


nicholst55
September 21, 2008

Does you gun function correctly now that you've shortened the spring? Typically, one would bend the spring to correct the problem that you describe. At least, that's what I would have done.


Kman
September 21, 2008

Gun functions fine now, the middle leg was reaching past the contact point on the disconnect, by about 3/8", racking the slide back would push the disconnect down to a point where the sear spring was pinching and holding it in place instead of pushing it back up into position where it engages the sear. Trying to bend just the tip of the middle leg would have been tough to do without breaking it. I dunno, first time I have seen this


BBBBill
September 21, 2008

The usual problem with them, if you're going to have one, is the middle leg will be too short. A couple vendors whose names escape me right now, sell replacement springs with a longer, tune/trim-to-fit middle leg.

What brand did you buy?


Kman
September 21, 2008

Sounds like what I have, I picked it up at a show, don't know the brand but guy said it was a Springfield, it was the only one he had that was hardened steel.


Jim K
September 21, 2008

Since "specification" is a dirty word to so many 1911 clone makers, makers of other parts like springs often make them oversize so they can be fitted. If you got it to work, good.


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