Flat vs Arched mainspring housing

[edlmann]

I don't know if Pachmayr still makes their rubber-covered 1911 MSHs, but for a while they had them in flat, arched, and "semi-arched" which was right between the two.

Dunno when they quit, but I really liked the Pachmayr flat MSH. Haven't seen one in maybe 20 years or more.

 

[mc1911]

To me arched fits better, flat looks cooler. My lightweight cmd mainspring housing is sharp.

 

[xtratoy]

The first modification I did to my 1911 was to replace the arched MSH with a flat one.

 

[mc1911]

I like the feel of the arched one but the flat one has a very "cool" look to it.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I like it the way J M B designed it. I prefer my 1911's flat and my women arched.

 

[s4s4u]

I prefer arched

 

[powder smoke]

Not sure what I prefer, 1911 are new to me.
but my commander did shoot low. Thanks, great thread. ps

 

[jstanfield103]

Small hands flat fits me like a glove.

 

[jrod]

I don't have small hands or short fingers, but arched MSH and short trigger on a 1911A1 just feels "right" to me.

 

[021]

Arched all the way for me, flat shoots low for me also.

 

[Poco Oso]

Small hands here too. Flat works best for me.

 

[reloader]

Medium hands, both work for me. I like the looks of the flat better, but am no arch enemy.

 

[keelbolts]

I vote arched.

 

[mohavesam]

Tastes great. Less filling.

 

[miniman]

arched and a short trigger works well for me.

 

[rattlegun]

The grip is one part I don't think JMB really put much in to compared to the rest of the gun. The front and back are straight and so are the sides for the most part. The grip angle was determined by cartridge feed angle from magazine.

 

[victor6]

Arched all the way!!!

Accompanied by a long trigger.

Those two make the 1911 perfect for me.

Victor

 

[1911Tuner]

The grip is one part I don't think JMB really put much in to compared to the rest of the gun. The front and back are straight and so are the sides for the most part. The grip angle was determined by cartridge feed angle from magazine.

The grip angle was determined by the request of the US Army Ordnance Board in order to improve the pointing characteristics of the pistol over its predecessors. The magazine had nothing to do with it.

Pictured below is the Colt Model 1907, which had a better grip angle than the 1900 that was nearly 90 degrees and was duplicated in the 1909. The Model 1910's grip angle was decreased slightly and reappeared on the 1911.

Compared with the Model 1910, the difference in the grip angle is apparent.

The Model 1900 completes the evolution from "straight handle to angled handle" in the quest for a more user-friendly cavalry pistol.

 

[1911Tuner]

Expanding a little...

The Models 1900, 1902, 1905, and 1907 were all twin linked with non-tilting barrels and rear slide dismount, leaving the barrel with the frame. The 1909 was a complete redesign and the first with the single link/tilting barrel and front slide dismount with the barrel coming off the frame with the slide. It was also the first one with the familiar straight-line trigger that was removed from the rear through the grip safety port.

 

[protoolman]

1911 tuner, thanks for the bit of history! Interesting stuff. NowI know my new thing for today.