Yes get the metal MSH it will be better Yes replace with Wilson Combat MSH Yes replace with another MSH ( explain in Post ) No need to replace the MSH it will never break No just keep it until it breaks and than replace don't waste your money spend it on ammo dont' waste your money spend it on more ammo what ever you want to do it is your Gun (19)  17.8% (11)  10.3% (6)  5.6% (10)  9.3% (19)  17.8% (7)  6.5% (9)  8.4% (26)  24.3%

so I read many many times now that Kimber's MSH is plastic and a lot perhaps the majority switch to a metal one.

My question now is since I do not really know that much about any type of 1911 is it necessary to replace it with a metal on or can the plastic stay in the gun. I am looking at this way if it works why not leave it.

It is my understanding the original 1911 had this as a metal part. But again the part Kimber uses works - will it fail at some point and at what point does it fail.

The replacement part for a new one does not cost that much in the big scheme of things perhaps one should just do it and invest this money.

If I go that rout do I need to get the MSH with a funnel of can I reuse the one that my gun already has. I guess Wilson Combat is the way to go for the parts.

What do you guys think you have more experience than I have with this Gun

I have just read so many things that people replace them right away when they get a new 1911.

I guess one other thing would be perhaps the grips but not so important at this time.


so what do you guys say should I or should I just leave it this way.


Are there any other things that I may should look in - Springs, firing pin, extractor and ??????


thanks for your help with this - this is much appreciated

Christian

There are a whole group that pretty much takes a Kimber and throws out all the MIM and plastic parts and reuses the slide, frame and barrel with their favorite brand of parts. I don't think this is cost effective and the better choice is if you decide to go that route is to sell the kimber and go with the upper brands. Wilson combat, Ed brown, Nighthawk, les baer.
Getting back to your mainspring housing. The weak part is the retainer pin area. The retainer pin holds the spring and it's two caps in place when the gun is dissasembled. It really isn't a issue and if the mainspring housing was to fail it would only be when the mainspring housing was out of the gun for dissasembly.
Enjoy your Kimber and don't give it another thought.

thank you for your reply and information

much appreciated

If you're talking about your tactical custom, make sure it has a plastic one before switching it. Both my tactical series kimbers have metal ones.

I've had problems with MIM parts in Kimbers in the past.

The MSH, while plastic, had never given me an issue, and I have not yet heard of a failure directly attributable to this part.

boy do I feel well stupid

it is metal - thank you very much for your help - I double checked and it is metal

I thought that all Kimbers come with a plastic MSH but I guess this model does come with a metal one.

I am glad I ask being this is my st 1911 I just want to make sure

much appreciated

No problem. I don't know if they use metal ones on any other models though. I'm about to get a desert warrior and i'm hoping it's metal but i won't be suprised if it isn't.

[/quote]

No problem. I don't know if they use metal ones on any other models though. I'm about to get a desert warrior and i'm hoping it's metal but i won't be suprised if it isn't.[/quote]

Both of the warrior models have a metal msh. I have both, so I know for a fact.

I know my Ultra Carry II had a plastic MSH. I almost immediately changed it for a Wilson unit. I was not too impressed with the hammer (just from the looks dept), so I changed it out with a Vickers hammer and sear combo. The hammer looks like the old Commander hammer, and I think it looks much better. Just my $.02 anyway.

Ron

Hi All,

It kind of gets me the hatred for MIM & plastic parts on your gun. MIM is sintered metal compressed and injected into a mould. They have been using these items on cars for years. Plastic MSH? As long as it is the right kind of plastic it should be ok. If you don't like this stuff, spend a lot more on a Les Baer, or Wilson combat.

Thanks,
Mark

Hope I didn't offend too many people.

I have one Kimber that has many thousand rounds on the plastic mainspring housing. If it dies like any other part on any other gun I will replace it as needed

I replaced the one on my Kimber TLE II with an ED Brown rem. magwell one and everyone loves it including me. I've been checking out their RAPTOR II and will probably do the same to it.

It made my Kimber Pro feel heavier . I left my Ultra Carry II alone because of weight considerations

they never break NEVER

I replaced the MSH in my TLE II but only because I wanted to add the extended magwell.

I just picked up my Kimber Stainless Target II in 10mm yesterday. It's the second Kimber I've owned.

I have an issue with the plastic MSH. It may be fine as for as the functioning of the gun. But, I prefer arched MSH for one thing. And I just believe a plastic MSH doesn't belong on this $1000+ handgun.

I'm going to replace this plastic flat MSH with an arched steel/alloy MSH.

I have no problem with the use of plastics in firearms, and from my understanding the plastic MSH is suitable.
But it seems interesting why Kimber would use plastic for MSH. I wonder if any other production 1911's use a plastic MSH.

Surely Kimber isn't using plastic MSH to reduce cost, because I just went to Midway and found Colt steel/alloy MSH under $10.

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Functionally the plastic MSH is fine, I prefer steel and arched. I replaced the plastic one on my pre series II Custom with an extra blue steel Colt arched that I had. My Stainless Colt series 80 Gov't model has a grey plastic MSH on it that came from the factory.

I replaced mine with a metal flat one, then with a metal arched one. I do not like a plastic MSH.

I replaced the plastic MSH in both my Kimbers - after 10 years - just like to tinker.

I used Fusion in both

i replaced mine with an arched msh. just feels much better in my hands.

Will the Wilson MSHs be a direct swap on a Kimber? I'm wanting to do a magwell/MSH on my Kimber, just want to know how much work I'm in for. Thanks, sorry for the threadjack.

Yes, they will. Not a problem. Just make sure you don't allow the springs to go "every which way."

Sounds good, should be easy as I am fairly competent (or so I think, and that's all that counts right? )

On the other hand 50 bucks for a metal MSH is chump change when you are talking about a 1000 dollar gun . But I agree a METAL MSH should be standard .

I replaced mine with an S&A one piece Mag well/MSH. I have had a problem with my slide stop wearing out and failing to lock the slide back. I replaced it with an Ed Brown. I vote do what you like.

I know all of the colts that I've handled recently have plastic ones.

I have 3 kimbers and have number 4 in jail (stupid CA. 10 day cool off ). Two came with the plastic MSH one steel, the one in jail is steel. I have 5000 and 1500 rounds fired out of the plastic ones with zero problems. I dont think you need to change them but its your gun. Funny though I will be changing out the steel one after I get the gun out of FFL jail. Want a magwell on that gun, gonna go with the EB Maxi drop in.