Sidearms & Scatterguns Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

[Xshot]

I recently learned many alloy framed 1911's can/will crack in the area around the slide lock window. I want to prevent this from happening, so I thought I tap into some of the expertise here on the Hide. First some history:

I own a Para Ordnance alloy framed 1911. It's the early model of the high capacity .45 APC (13+1)upgrade kit made in the late 80's - first product they ever made. All other components came from a Springfield 1911-A1 donor.

Currently, my rig doesn't have any signs of cracking, or significant wear. I've put 900+ rounds through it and none have been hot loaded or of the +P variety. When I built up this pistol I also added the Wilson Combat full length Shok-Buff recoil system. I'm thinking the above has prevented cracks from occurring up to this point.

I've always run the "Reduced Power Heavy-Duty" recoil spring from Wilson Combat, but now I'm wondering if I should be using the "Extra-Power Heavy-Duty" recoil spring to further reduce shock to the frame. Is this advisable, or will I create new problems with standard load?

Any other advise/tip will be appreciated.

FWIW - this pistol is the only one I can reliably hit where I aim it - I generally suck with pistols. It's very accurate and I like the way it fits, feels and handles. Besides I'm attached to it and I have 5 high capacity mags for it. Now that CC is legal in Wisconsin, I'm working more on my handgun skills. Ultimately, I want to be able to CC this pistol in certain situations.

Through research I did learn about the recommended fixes for cracks in the frame around the slide lock. 1.) Drill stop the crack. 2.) Cut out the rail section, above the slide lock window, if it cracks.

Anything else?

Thanks

 

[Downzero]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

Cut out the rail section above the slide stop window before it cracks, and it won't.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cut out the rail section above the slide stop window before it cracks, and it won't. </div></div>

This is the modification/fix Colt performed on the 10mm Delta Elite, isn't it?

 

[Xshot]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

Now that I'm aware of the problem, I just may cut out the rail section above the slide lock window before crack(s) show up there. In researching the problem, it wasn't clear whether cracks were isolated to this area alone. I got the impression cracks may show up ahead or behind the slide lock window too.

Would running the "Extra-Power Heavy Duty" recoil spring help reduce the impact of the slide on the frame - using standard loads?

 

[ShtrRdy]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cut out the rail section above the slide stop window before it cracks, and it won't. </div></div>

This is the modification/fix Colt performed on the 10mm Delta Elite, isn't it? </div></div>

Yep. Colts did that on the Delta Elite for that very reason.

 

[Arbiter]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

So...if one doesn't cut the window, and it cracks, is there any particular reason to care? It's not going to propagate into the rest of the frame, so what does it matter?

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would running the "Extra-Power Heavy Duty" recoil spring help reduce the impact of the slide on the frame - using standard loads? </div></div> Sure, it could help but the question next is "would the pistol properly function" with the stronger recoil spring? You could also put in a Wilson "shock buff" to reduce the battering on the frame but those sometimes affect reliability also.

 

[Xshot]

Re: Preventing cracks in 1911 alloy frame?

EXTREME - thanks for the reply. I've been running the Wilson Shok-Buff with the reduced power spring. Haven't really had any problems with this setup.