[Pale Face]

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.

+1. Numrich's definition of OEM is that it look like the OEM... but it most likely ain't. Same for "new" parts. Sleazy outfit.

 

[hossfol43]

Mainspring housings on the original Colt Commanders were made of aluminum rather than steel to match the lightweight aluminum frame.

 

[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.

 

[mkk41]

I have never had a Colt mainspring housing crack, but I have had many, over 10, Kimbers crack. Colt uses a better quality than Kimber. But I still like steel better than plastic.

Watching Colt's decreasing quality and increasing use of outsourced parts over the last 30yrs , I don't buy that "it's better because it's Colt" line anymore. I'd bet they outsourced from the same supplier as Kimber. I'm a toolmaker who has made many injection molds over the years , and the split Colt plastic MSH I saw was split down the center back where it's thinnest.

 

[joebuck]

Colt has not made an aluminum MSH in decades. The Numrich serrated ones that somebody said are Masen are leftovers from SIG. They are nice and well worth the price. If you cross reference them you will see they have the same part # as the ones they say are made by Colt. Very good deal at $13.35. I have 3 of them and they are top notch.

 

[hps]

I've bought 3 of the 13.35 MSH and they are nice. waiting on another now.

 

[BarnStorm]

I replace the plastic MSH on my 2014 production 38 Super with a smooth style from Wilson Combat. It took about 2 hours of hand filing/fitting and still didn’t turn out perfect but it was my first time ever fitting any 1911 part I’ve improved a little since then.

 

[JoeT]

Funny how Kimber does it as well yet not nearly as many people b!tch about it. The only thing I dislike about plastic housings is that they feel slippery, especially if they're only serrated. I replace them with Les Baer's steel housings for that reason alone.

I don't mind the polymer, I just wish they did something besides the serrations. I still had the flat polymer one you sent me years ago in my old Delta Elite but I ended up selling that pistol and buying a brand new updated DE for less than I sold the old one for. Go figure.

 

[19047]

All of my 1911s have steel MSHs.

After looking a long time for an identical steel replacement, my most recent MSH upgrade was done to my Defender:

 

[army_eod]

Having been a 1911 shooter since 1974, and having worked in a fairly busy, competent (Pistolsmith Guild Master Gunsmith) largely 1911 Shop, I have never seen - or even heard of a split DELRIN, Colt supplied mainspring housing failing. I cannot speak to other makers or sources Quality.

As already noted, the Colt supplied Dupont Delrin housings are lighter, self lubricating and don't ever rust - inside or out. There is nothing wrong with them or more would have been said about the need to replace them over the last twenty years or so......

Having said that, if you want steel, it's not hard to do, and I understand how it might make some "feel better". I'm not sure it's very necessary, but if it makes you happy, well, it's your gun! CC

Yep. Think of Glocks, HKs, etc. Polymer/Delrin is OK in the right places.

 

[Johnb-40]

Got my aluminum MSH today. Great product for the price,even when you add the shipping.

 

[clark.45]

EGW has really nice MSH.

Last one I bought was for my XSE LW Commander build
SS checkered 25 lpi.

Her it is...........

 

[Tootie]

I don't really have any significant preference for steel but I always figured once the plastics split or cracked - and none have - I would replace them with steel or aluminum. You can put an aluminum MSH on a steel gun but you need to keep an eye out for corrosion attributed to dissimilar metals in contact with one another. It's bad for both metals.