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Offline dmmorrd

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Mainspring cap pin
« on: November 01, 2003, 07:29:54 PM »
I recently bought a Springfield Champion .45.  I took it to the range and shot about 200 rounds.  The gun was flawless.  I got it home and was cleaning it and noticed that the mainspring cap pin was missing.  Is the gun safe to shoot without it?  It it just a cap to keep junk out of the mech?
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Offline Savage

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2003, 12:52:25 AM »
dmmrrod,
Sre you reffering to the pin at the bottom of the grip that holds the mainspring housing in place, or the pin near the top of the housing the retains the captured spring? It must be held in place by friction or crud now. Both pins are essential to the operation of the gun. If either one is missing take it to a smith and have him check it out and replace any missing parts. Something is definately wrong here! Just curious, does your Champion shoot low? Most I have seen shoot a foot or more low at 20yds.
Stay Safe,
Savage
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Offline dmmorrd

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2003, 06:20:44 AM »
Savage,

It is the pin up by the grip safety.  I will drop it off at a smith next week.  Its a little disturbing that this happened on my first trip out with it.  I haven't taken the bottom of the gun apart yet so I know I didn't lose it.

Yes it does shoot low.  I have to cover the impact point with the front sight to hit it.  My Colt M1991A1 shoots the same though so I figured this was normal with fixed sights.  

I just got into autos about 2 months ago, Ive always shot revolvers in the past so I'm on a learning curve now.  A friend of mine took me out and let me shoot his auto and I got addicted right away.  I went out and bought two right away (colt and the sprinfield).  I just ordered a video from Wilson Combat to show me how to disassemble the bottom half.  Do you know of any other books or videos that would be helpful?

Thanks
dmmorrd
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Offline Savage

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2003, 04:23:52 PM »
dmmorrd,
Love the size of the Springfield Champion! The commander size 1911 feels just right for me. That top pin holds the highly compressed mainspring cap in place. If you were to remove the mainspring housing by removing the bottom pin,  you would most likely launch the internals into low earth orbit! If you are interested in full disassembly of your gun, you can go to the 1911 home page and find comple instructions for disassembly/assembly. The pin used in the subject application is a "roll pin", it's tubular in shape. Look at that sucker real close and see if there isn't a roll pin installed. I don't see how the gun could function with out the housing being pinned! Just a thought!
Stay Safe,
Savage
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Offline dmmorrd

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2003, 06:55:21 PM »
Savage,

I was looking at the exploded drawing in the manual and it does not show the pin at all.  The gun did come with a tool and instructions to disassemble the mainspring housing.  The instructions say to cock it then insert the tool which looks like a long pin with a 45° bend in it, then un-cock it, then punch out the lower pin that holds the assembly.  The assembly instruction also makes no mention of a pin that goes back in.  This gun has the ILS (Internal locking System) in it.  I wonder if that is the difference?  I will try to contact Springfield tommorow to see what they say before I take it to a smith.  I'll let you know what they say.  At least have a back up gun until I can resolve this and I don't plan on firing it until I find out for sure.  

Overall though I loved it while I was shooting it at the range.  It seemed to handle well and like I said no malfunctions during the break in.  Recoil was about the same as my 5" Colt.  The only bad thing I can say about it was that it shoots a little low but after I found the zero I shot a 3.5" group standing. It also has some sharp edges next to the grip that was a little uncomfortable after 200 rounds.  Minor stuff for a production gun I think.

dmmorrd
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Offline dmmorrd

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2003, 03:52:25 AM »
Savage,

I contacted Springfield this morning and was told that they no longer put a cap pin in the compact models including the champion due to the ILS.  This explanes why it shot with no problems.  I was told shoot it!!!!!  :grin:

dmmorrd
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Offline Savage

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Mainspring cap pin
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2003, 07:41:25 AM »
dmmorrd,
Ok, that explains the sitituation! Glad it's not a problem. I've never dealt with the ILS, thanks for the education.
Stay Safe,
Savage
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