Posted: 3/21/2008 2:05:27 PM EDT
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Howdy, y'all... I just paid for my first 1911 in probably 20 years, a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 parkerized finish. (Forgive me, I've been trapped in the plastic gun world too long!) I would normally be able to pick it up on Sunday, but being Easter, the store's closed. So, Monday I'll have a new 1911 home. I have some questions that I'm sure I could find answers to if I search, but I wanted to have my own thread he What are the best after-market mags to get? McCormick? Wison? Is it easy (or even recommended) to replace the full-length guide rod with a standard guide rod, and how would that affect function? I'm sure as I keep reading here I'll learn a lot, and will probably also come up with more questions. I'm looking forward to getting mine home and getting her cleaned up and to the range. I have a couple hundred rounds of ammo waiting! Thanks for any advice you can give me. |
As I understand your question, the gun has a regular MSH & you want to know how hard it is to replace it with the ILS MSH if needed? If this is correct, then a simple swap of the MSH is all that is necessary. However, much as you said, it's not really necessary to have an ILS, IMO.
Wilson's are good mags, many users love them. I think they're a bit overpriced, IMO. I use McCormick mags with wonderful results & use the 8rd versions as well as carry a 10rd mag for back-up.
Again, not necessary. There are one- & two-piece full length guide rods. I have one of them all in my collection of 1911s & haven't really noticed an iota's difference in performance. My Baer has the original short rod, FWIW.
Be sure to add some oil to the gun before you shoot it! I give mine a field stripping to get it well into the rails & I also lightly coat the entire barrel as well. Enjoy your gun! 
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I guess I worded that a little wrong. My gun has the ILS in the MSH and I want to replace it with one without the ILS. I've read that doing that and adding a lower power main spring (I guess the factory is 28# and the original spec is 23#) will improve the trigger pull. (I just don't like internal locks on guns...I don't feel they're necessary. Maybe it's just me.) |
I didn't replace the MSH on my Springfield, but I did replace the necessary "guts" to disable the ILS in the gun: mainspring (put in a 23#), mainspring cap (WC Factory+), mainspring cap pin (WC Factory+). The trigger pull is slightly lighter, but no more or less crisp (it was plenty crisp to begin with, though). My MSH still has the key-slot on it, but it can't be rotated to engage the lock. I may someday replace the housing itself (maybe with one of the Guncrafter flat MSH's with the recessed lanyard loop, if I'm wanting to go wild about it  ), but since the lock doesn't work anyway, I'm not in a hurry.I agree, I don't think the ILS is necessary. Which is why I spent the--$6? something in that neighborhood anyway--to disable it. Good luck, and good shooting. ETA: Forgot to mention, replacing the parts as mentioned above to disable the ILS was pretty darn easy. Took all of about 5 minutes, including opening the packages for the replacement parts. So go for it, if you like. It's a simple process, pretty easy too, it's cheap, and it eliminates a lawyer-designed feature that the pistol doesn't need to begin with. |
I would recommend replacing with the 2 piece guide rod, with a full length one. Yes my 2 piece came apart at the range it ruined a day of shooting in 20 minutes, not to mention I never did find the screw part. The MSH is just a swap out. Replacing the factory power spring will lower trigger pull weight, but if you go too low you will get light strikes on primers. |
Good point about the mainspring weight. Personally, I'd change the 2-piece FLGR to a GI-style one. (I did, to my SA, Inc. Loaded), but that's up to the individual. Go with what you'd prefer, since it's your gun. As long as it works the way you want, and you like it, well, that's what matters. Again, good luck with your pistol, and good shooting. |
If you want more Chip mags they are on sale now at Midway 17.00 each. |
About $7 or so.....................  I believe they use two different styles of base plates & the power mag has a bit stiffer spring. A quick visit to their web site should clarify this for ya as well. I also use their 10rd 1911 mags as a back-up with my Micro 1911 CCW. |