BROWNELLS - MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL

Name: BROWNELLS - MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL
Price: 27.49 USD

Watney · May 31, 2011

For detail strip and reassembly I suggest:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=25472/Product/1911_AUTO_SCREWDRIVER_SETS

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=930/avs|Make_3=1911/Product/MAINSPRING_HOUSING_PIN_TOOL

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=8841/Product/1911_AUTO_SAFETY_DETENT_DEPRESSOR

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=392/avs|Make_3=1911/Product/1911_AUTO_ANODIZED_BUSHING_WRENCH (I don't need one of these for my 1911s, but they are nice to have around)

There are a few other nice to have items, but nothing else I consider necessary for my stock 1911s.

thearmedrebel · May 11, 2012

As mentioned by BBBBill, Brownells hasthis MSH tool and a Magna® Tip bit that comes in the 1911 specific driver set. I have the 1911 specific hollow handled kit that stays in my range bag, and the bit get's used all the time.

Doesn't have a specific part number though, so I doubt it's available separately. The bits by themselves, without the handle to hold them, are $14.

Robert

The slide stop works here too, part of the 1911 as its own tool kit.

DeltaKilo · Sep 14, 2014

As far as a degreaser, I tend to wipe down the outside of the frame with Hoppes #9 or similar solvent that i'm using to clean the gun. I've also been known to use Simple Green as it's biodegradable and works well for gun cleaning. Once I'm done, I'll wipe down the gun with the silicone cloth, or i'll spray some eezox on a rag and wipe it down.

For tools, there're really not many that you *need* to do a detail strip. My tools are as follows:

1. Plastic non-marring bushing wrench (DerwoodMfg is working on a new type that has a guide that goes into the barrel and captures the bushing. Works much better than the traditional bushing wrench model. All it really needs is a bit of a detent to center the recoil spring plug). There are similar designs out there, but this design works quite well for me.

2. Set of brass punches, preferably Brownells.

3. Brownell's Mainspring Housing Pin Pusher tool: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool-prod930.aspx

4. Brownells' Detent Pin Pushing tool: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...11-auto-safety-detent-depressor-prod8841.aspx

5. A nylon spudger tool for cleanly removing the thumb safety: http://www.amazon.com/3M-SP3010-Nylon-Spudger-Tool/dp/B001DD1UJS

6. A set of Brownells' Magna-Tip bits designed to fit most screw heads (proper fit of the screwdriver to the screw is absolutely necessary to ensure that nothing slips and tears anything up).

7. Rawhide Mallet: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-tools/hammers/rawhide-hammers-prod26698.aspx

8. Set of Pin punches.

Those, plus a bunch of Q-tips, micro swabs, and pipe cleaners will do everything you need.

Jolly Rogers · Mar 11, 2017

For routine detail stripping and re-assembly:
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool-prod930.aspx To get the mainspring pin out and in.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ls/1911-safety-detent-depressor-prod8841.aspx To help with the plunger spring/pins.
An AR 15 firing pin to use as a line up tool and general poker.
Bushing wrench of your choice...there are many to choose from.
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Tools/tools.htm Use the firing pin stop tool and holding fixture as required. I can recommend both highly.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ls/1911-grip-bushing-extractor-prod80392.aspx This tool is the sauce to service grip screw bushings.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...bit-sets/1911-screwdriver-sets-prod25472.aspx As a start to spin the screws.
Others will add to the specialty tool list for specific jobs I'm sure.
Joe
edit to add that the magna-tip set has a bit that could eliminate the first tool linked to r&r the mainspring pin.

DubfromGa · Mar 11, 2017

DArBad said:
I'll add......a high quality long nose medical forceps. They are that useful in reaching in hard to reach places.

Ah......I just acquired some of those.....my nurse was showing me how to change out my bandage around a surgical repair last Monday....she loaded me up with plenty of supplies and a pair of these were among them. A nice d-i-y kit.

Jolly Rogers said:
For routine detail stripping and re-assembly:
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool-prod930.aspx To get the mainspring pin out and in.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ls/1911-safety-detent-depressor-prod8841.aspx To help with the plunger spring/pins.
An AR 15 firing pin to use as a line up tool and general poker.
Bushing wrench of your choice...there are many to choose from.
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/Tools/tools.htm Use the firing pin stop tool and holding fixture as required. I can recommend both highly.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ls/1911-grip-bushing-extractor-prod80392.aspx This tool is the sauce to service grip screw bushings.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...bit-sets/1911-screwdriver-sets-prod25472.aspx As a start to spin the screws.
Others will add to the specialty tool list for specific jobs I'm sure.
Joe
edit to add that the magna-tip set has a bit that could eliminate the first tool linked to r&r the mainspring pin.

Excellent. Thank you very much !!!

zoner said:
i have several vices

Yup.....it would seem I do as well. Now to get a proper vise, lol.

azpoolguy said:
Just open up the Brownells catalog and order one of everything. You'll end up using it at some point.

They just took $250 from me last week.....ouch....this is going to be painful.

scottl said:
I got a 60 some piece punch and tool kit I found on Ebay. It has steel and brass punches, files, double ended hammed(brass and nylon) screw drivers and bits of all sizes, and a armorer's block.

Nice. That sounds like where I could start.

frogfurr said:
Hollow ground screwdrivers (or bits). Punches. A hammer with brass and/or nylon inserts. Some high quality files. Soft jaws for the vice.

These are very good files. They cost a little more but are well worth it:

http://www.ottofrei.com/Store/Glardon-Vallorbe-Precision-Files/

Thank you !

drail said:
Do not buy anything until you buy the Kuhnhausen 1911 Shop Manual (Vol.1) and read it several times until you understand how everything works. Then get a Brownells catalog. Then watch your credit card melt....... Oh, and you need a "vise", not a "vice".

Great tip....I'll shop around for one of those manuals. Great reviews on it were noticed at the first couple spots I looked into.

And truly....i need a vise for my vice guns. :biglaugh:

Brownells....they came through for me bigtime on some 1911 related gear that I wanted. Looks like it may earn some frequent flyer points from them at some point.

Thank you.

NoExpert · Apr 12, 2018

"which would now be bent"

Maybe. The pins hole in the housing could be deformed, which could be worse. Easily happens with those [email protected]#$% plastic MSHs!

As RUSS123 says, the simplest tool is to pound a nail through a piece of 2×4, then grind down the protruding point to about an inch in length. Just lay it on the bench, nail up, and press the MSH cap pin down on the nail.

I like to put the MSH in a small vise (with padding) and press down with this:

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool-prod930.aspx

Quick and simple.

If one has a drill press, use it. Chuck up a small pin and lower the pin onto the MSH cap. Total control and no flying parts!

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

US1911 · Dec 26, 2018

None.Ya said:
You will have removed your MSH several times.

This is a great tool for that very purpose.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ing-tool-sku080850000-930-3449.aspx?rrec=true

Hold the pistol like it’s sitting on a pistol stand, rest the MSH on a non marring flat surface, then push the top of the pistol to compress the MSH, then insert the tool in place of the MSH pin. It’s a real a real time saver compared to driving the pin in/out.

combat auto · Dec 26, 2018

US1911 said:
This is a great tool for that very purpose.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ing-tool-sku080850000-930-3449.aspx?rrec=true

Hold the pistol like it’s sitting on a pistol stand, rest the MSH on a non marring flat surface, then push the top of the pistol to compress the MSH, then insert the tool in place of the MSH pin. It’s a real a real time saver compared to driving the pin in/out.

Nice! I may actually have one of those, when I got my first WC some years ago I put together a basic kit with pins and simple tools. I'm going to dig it up.

combat auto · Dec 26, 2018

US1911 said:
This is a great tool for that very purpose.
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...ing-tool-sku080850000-930-3449.aspx?rrec=true

Hold the pistol like it’s sitting on a pistol stand, rest the MSH on a non marring flat surface, then push the top of the pistol to compress the MSH, then insert the tool in place of the MSH pin. It’s a real a real time saver compared to driving the pin in/out.

In the flesh. I wrote that note on the back some 5 or 6 years ago "To help remove mainspring housing." - lol, about time I use it. Unbelievable :biglaugh:.

Glad you jogged my memory!

NDL · Jan 18, 2022

Here’s how to find a terrific instructional video to completely dissemble the 1911 and put it back together:
1. Paste the following into your favorite search site: YouTube 10-8 Performance 1911 User's Guide
2. Open and watch the video a couple of times - and you’ll be an old pro.

As for equipment, I found the 10-8 Armorer’s Block very helpful, the Mainspring Housing pin removal tool from Brownells which can be found here:

MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL

MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/gun-tools/handgun-tools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool/

www.brownells.com

- or a good set of punches would be even better. Everything else you likely already have.
Good luck.

BROWNELLS - MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL

Forum Discussions about this Product

Complete 1911 toolkit

Watney

What size punches to disassemble frame?

thearmedrebel

Two Easy Questions: Degreaser and Tools?

DeltaKilo

1911 tool list suggestions needed......

Jolly Rogers

DubfromGa

Should mainspring cap pin go in freely or with a hammer?

NoExpert

C-Comp-TE-45, a Short Range report

US1911

combat auto

combat auto

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MAINSPRING HOUSING PIN TOOL

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