[Harrish]

When I picked up my 3 new Colt 1911 9mm pistols, I was surprised to find they had plastic mainspring housings. It actually isn't a terrible idea to make them of plastic. It saves weight and is less likely to show dings and scrapes. But something about it still bugs me. I think all the parts on a 1911 should be steel.

What do you guys think about the plastic housing? Do many of you change them out for steel ones? If so, which brand do you normally use as replacements? There are so many options out there. None are terribly expensive.

I have two new production 9mm Commanders and a new production Competition 9mm. It seems they all use the same housing, correct?

 

[Harrish]

I had one on my conceal carry 1911.
Replaced it, but I’m going back to save weight.

OP HERE:

On the Numrich website I found some Colt OEM Aluminum housings for $13.95. Since my Colt LW Commander 9mm has an aluminum alloy frame, I figured an aluminum MSH makes the most sense anyway. Plus it will be as light as the plastic MSH. Seems like the ultimate solution to me for the LW Commander. Plus the current production LW Commanders have vertical lines/serrations on the frontstrap. These OEM Aluminum housings have the same serrations as the front strap. So even more perfect! Oh and they are $13.95 to boot! I picked up a couple.

Colt OEM Aluminum Black Serrated MSH $13.95:
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1371430B

Not sure which MSH I should put on my other two Colt 9mm 1911s. I will probably go with a MSH with magwell for my Competition 9mm, and some steel MSH for my Combat Commander. I prefer the vertical lines/serrations over the 25 dpi checkering. They seem to be harder to find.

Speaking of checkered MSHs, Numrich also has some Colt OEM Reproduction steel MSH with the checkering for $22.95, I may just go that route for my all steel Combat Commander:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/267350B

 

[Harrish]

If you want a Colt part from Numrich you'd better call and verify before ordering. I've had them ship me a Masen MSH when their online description made it sound like it was a Colt.

For 23 bucks, you're gonna get a Masen. Better ones cost $40 or more.

I didn't know Masen made aluminum MSHs.

The steel ones I ordered said they were made by Colt for Sig 1911s. We will see. If any of them are Masen, I will return them ASAP.