Plunger tubes: Integral or staked?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plunger tubes: Integral or staked?

Posted: 3/26/2009 5:01:52 PM EDT

Some say you never have to worry about an integral coming lose, while others say if there's any damage to your integral you're stuck. I'm in the process of ordering a Caspian frame for a build, and need to make a decision. I'd like some input from those who have real experience with both types, and any issues that you may have had with them. In all the years I've carried/used 1911-style guns I've never had a staked tube come loose, but I've also never started with a bare frame. Thanks.

Posted: 3/26/2009 5:06:00 PM EDT

[#1]

Integral.

If you have a problem with it you could always machine it down and place holes for a staked one.

Posted: 3/26/2009 5:07:48 PM EDT

[#2]

I have an integral tube on my Nighthawk and a staked tube on my Springfield. The tube on my Springfield came loose once during cleaning. A trip to Springfield and it hasn't had an issue since.

I'd say go with the integral tube. If it gets damaged (somehow in a way that everything else is fine), you can always machine it off and stake on a tube.

Posted: 3/26/2009 7:32:13 PM EDT

[#3]

A properly staked plunger tube is not going to come loose and it's easily replaced if damaged.

Posted: 3/26/2009 8:59:31 PM EDT

[#4]

If you're really worried about it, why not integral?

I figure anything bad enough to crunch an integral plunger tube would pretty much crush the frame too.

Posted: 3/26/2009 9:15:34 PM EDT

[#5]

I would say just get a standard frame and stake the plunger tube on properly. It won't go anywhere.

Posted: 3/27/2009 6:22:03 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
If you're really worried about it, why not integral?

I figure anything bad enough to crunch an integral plunger tube would pretty much crush the frame too.

I'm not "worried" about it. Just thought I would look at the options, pro and con, since I'm starting with a bare frame.

Posted: 3/27/2009 6:59:01 AM EDT

[#7]

I'd go with integral if it's an option, but staked is fine if done right as others have said. I wouldn't worry about damaging an integral plunger tube, though I'm curious if anyone has heard of that happening, and how it happened.

Posted: 3/27/2009 6:59:18 AM EDT

[#8]

Larry Vickers, noted 1911 pistolsmith and firearms instructor, has stated that one of the weak points of the 1911 design is the plunger tube. Go with the integral plunger tube.

Posted: 3/27/2009 10:53:49 PM EDT

[#9]

And the Caspian integral plunger tube frame is the same one Vickers spec'ed for the Nighthawk pistol that bore his name. Caspian was Nighthawk's OEM.

If you can get it done, why not?

Posted: 3/27/2009 11:22:05 PM EDT

[#10]

I am totally with WiseguyThreeOne on this one. I have three Caspians and on one of them, I deeply regret not getting the integral as the staked is now loose.

I also agree with his prior analysis - if it's going to wreck your tube, that hit is also going to wreck your slide, or at least slide/frame fit. Whoever came up with that rationale - "in case it's damged" just hasn't banged around 1911's very long, or has an unrealistic opinion about how "exposed" a plunger tube is. It is protected behind the left grip panel first of all, for gosh sakes.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plunger tubes: Integral or staked?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

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