Should I pay extra for a high end mainspring housing?

[bbbean]

I'd like all my 1911 mainspring housings to be the same, so I'm thinking about replacing th emainspring housing on the one gun that has an arched mainspring housing.

While I can see paying $$$ for a high end barrel, trigger, etc., I'm not so sure an Ed Brown/Les Baer/Wilson mainspring housing is realy worth the extra $$ over a lesser known maker. Am I missing something?

[MikeBjerum]

I have learned that guns and gun parts are like tools and, in general, you get what you pay for.  Anytime you don't buy an OEM part you run the risk of needing to do more fitting than if you do, but the better the quality of the after market the less time you will spend.  I purchased a mainspring housing with magwell based on price, and as I polished the mating surfaces to make it fit I ran into voids in the casting.  I then purchased an Ed Brown for nearly twice the price, it looked finished coming out of the packet, and it slid right in.  Every once in a while I need to be reminded that it is worth it to look at more than just $$$.

[Big Frank]

Good points m58. Whenever I replace a mainspring housing I put on an S&A mag guide. Mine have all been drop in fit. http://www.smithandalexander.com/guides.html

[PegLeg45]

Good points m58. Whenever I replace a mainspring housing I put on an S&A mag guide. Mine have all been drop in fit. http://www.smithandalexander.com/guides.html

+1 on the S&A......I like them also.

Shop at Brownells and Midway for good prices.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=1911%20mainspring%20housing&ps=10&si=True

http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search

[bbbean]

Good points m58. Whenever I replace a mainspring housing I put on an S&A mag guide. Mine have all been drop in fit. http://www.smithandalexander.com/guides.html

Are mag wells legal for single stack competition in USPSA?

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Yes, but ...

Mine meets the requirements for both limited 10 and single stack.  However, go to the rule book appendix (I don't have the rule book with me, but I know it is in the back) and check out the dimensions.  Last year at Western States Single Stack they were cracking down on the larger magwells, and oversize bumpers on magazines.  My 1911 fit in the box with room to spare and my Wilson Combats with bumpers were no problem.  However, I do know there were some issues with more than one person there.

[Big Frank]

A thick bumper will affect the dimensions more than the mag guide. It only adds 1/4" of length and nothing to the width.