Gunsmithing modification ?

[Texgal_338]

I have a Springfield TRP

It has a slide stop lever with a very small contact area; so I bought a Wilson extended lever.

However, the pin on the Wilson is 3 thou larger OD than the stock Springfield pin; thus the slide doesn't operate correctly.

Is there a downside to using a dremel to relieve the contact area on the barrel where the pin contacts?

 

[smokshwn]

Re: modification ?

Instead of a dremel, use some fine sandpaper/emery cloth (400,600 grit). Pinch the stub of the slide release between your thumb and forefinger and spin it with the lever. This way you will take an equal amount of material off the pin. Fit it often when you get close to the measurement to insure that there is no play between the slide release and the barrel link.

 

[toygunner]

Re: modification ?

Drop the Dremel!!!! I would either take it to a 1911 smith or leave the stock one in it and retrain yourself to use the slide instead of the small pad.

If you remove to much off the lugs your accuracy will suffer.

Your new pin is probably .198ish. The make them a little over-sized to help accuracy in stock pistols of lesser quality then your TRP.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: modification ?

When adding a part; if things don't fit right, modify (fit/adjust) the <span style="font-style: italic">PART</span>, not the rest of the gun. If you do it the other way, you've just turned your firearm into something unique. Never a good policy if you want things to be fixable in the future.

Before you modify anything, discuss the misfit with the part maker, their part is probably non-spec. They deserve to have a chance to resolve the issue before you go buggering up their product and voiding any quality assurances.

Greg

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: modification ?

TG, I would second everything that Greg has said. Good advice right there.

Once metal is removed, it's 'darn-near' impossible to "un-remove" it.

 

[Texgal_338]

Re: modification ?

thanks guys

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: modification ?

FWIW, most "good things" on 1911's require a degree of fitting. The advice given above is good though, as an old shop teacher learned me

"It's a lot easier to take more more off, than add some on."

 

[Texgal_338]

Re: modification ?

just decided to put the original part back in

after thinking about it; even with the small contact area, can drop the slide with a loaded mag easily or with no mag in; will keep the extended lever for later use, maybe when get a new barrel

thanks for the feedback

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: modification ?

I think that's a really good approach.

I'm taking a guess here, and thinking your reason for going with the larger pad area has something to do with comfort.

If you're not already using some for extended shooting sessions, I suggest you look into getting a pair of Mechanics' Wear M-Pact Gloves for handling the 1911. They are very well configured for extended handgun shooting. They make the process more comfortable and provide a significant amount of protection from semiauto-related natural wear and tear on the hands. They cured my stock-1911 hammer-bite problem. I never did cotton to longer grip spurs. None of my 1911's ever looked even a bit out-of-issue, all the real work was in the fitting. Old J.M. did plenty good enough design job all by himself. My only real concession to modernity was a UM-84 holster.

Greg