1911 mainspring housing digging into hand

[Steve Ladino]

I'm a believer in a strong grip, your constant companion in the car and living room should be a spring type grip exerciser or a tennis ball.

 

[Oso]

The advantage of the Main Spring Housing with Integral Magwell is that it provides a rigid connection that also has enough metal that the heel can then be shaped/contoured. Quality parts will come already machined with a radius - a very light Bobtail that breaks the corner on the extended heel (magwell adds 1/4"-3/8" to overall length of grip).

The 2-piece MSH with Magwell Shoe, such as EGW, is both functional and economic (like half the price). There isn't as much contouring that can be done because the MSH and Magwell shoe are connected together by a machine screw that inserts upward through the MSH at heel of gun.

When I get a chance I will upload a couple of photos of the integral Main Spring Housing Magwell that I have installed in a couple of my pistols. Generally, I try to match the stipling/checkering on the MSH to what has been machined into the front of grip. Depending on the checkering, I either use Wilson Combat (fine - like 40 tpi) or Nighthawk (medium - 25tpi). There are other options available - these are just the two that I have settled out on for my builds.

Pick what is in your budget and best fits your personal preference. Either option will improve your reloading and also reduce the sharp angle on the heel.

 

[DirtySteve]

Just checked and all mine have flat main spring housings. One has groves and the remainder are checkered. I prefer the checkered but the grooved functions fine. I have one with a Smith & Alexander mag well.. If these guns look a little used rest assured they have been. I have no use for a safe queen. The Kimber and the long slide have, well the term thousands of rounds get thrown a round a lot, and that would be an understatement for those two pistols.. lol..

 

[Oso]

Black 1911 has the Wilson Combat MSH/Magwell. The stipeling is much finer and there is less radius.
Stainless 1911 has the Nighthawk MSH/Magwell. The stipeling is more aggressive but does not tear up your hands at all. The radius is really nice straight from factory.

Note: Both 1911's with the additional Magwell still fit within the IDPA box (height restriction).

I need to bust out a toothbrush and clean those grips!!!

 

[Oso]

This just came in a sales flyer from VZ Grips... they are festuring a one-piece MSH/Magwell designed by Chen Si in Colorado. Has a very nice radius on heel and is a drop in part for most 1911's (per the marketing materials)

https://vzgrips.com/products/chen-s...m=Email&utm_campaign=5e6f8d30a97229007cf77c69

No experience with this product.

 

[nicholst55]

If you currently have a flat MSH, switching to an arched one will most likely make the gun shoot higher for you. That's the main reason that the Army switched back in 1927 - soldiers complained that their pistols all shot low. Not a big problem if you have adjustable sights, but obviously it can be with fixed sights. If I wanted to experiment, I'd buy a couple of the synthetic MSHs out there - they're inexpensive and easy to modify. Figure out exactly what you want, and then buy one in (stainless) steel or aluminum.

 

[Outrider27]

My .45 1911 has an arched housing, but it is serrated, not checkered, and gives no problem.

 

[TAJ45]

Re '27 change. Shooting low? Probably an increase in grip with jerk when anticipating the shot. Doing a ball and dummies w my students, they most always go low. Heeling is less common in my experience, for the newer shooter.

 

[232]

DirtySteve said:

Just checked and all mine have flat main spring housings. One has groves and the remainder are checkered. I prefer the checkered but the grooved functions fine. I have one with a Smith & Alexander mag well.. If these guns look a little used rest assured they have been. I have no use for a safe queen. The Kimber and the long slide have, well the term thousands of rounds get thrown a round a lot, and that would be an understatement for those two pistols.. lol..

DirtySteve,
Your Bob Day pistol is a great piece. Have not seen or heard much of his work for years.
Lucky guy you are!

 

[nicholst55]

Re '27 change. Shooting low? Probably an increase in grip with jerk when anticipating the shot. Doing a ball and dummies w my students, they most always go low. Heeling is less common in my experience, for the newer shooter.

Not having been around for those tests, I really can't comment on that aspect of it. I know that definitely holds true for me though, and is the reason that I don't own any flat MSHs.