School me on MSH's

[TruEdge]

Im new to 1911's and picked up a Kimber Pro Carry II stainless a while back. So far I'm loving the gun and would like to start doing some mods to it because I cant help but tinker with my stuff.

I originally wanted to do a bobtail job but dont have the money right now to spend on that kind of modification So now I'm looking to just get a new MSH to replace the cheap plastic one that came on the Kimber. I see lots of people talking about the Ed Brown's and Fusion. Is there really any difference between the two? Also which normally fits better in the kimber without too much fitting? I understand most everything requires fitting on the 1911's.

Secondly im curious on MSH's like this one here...http://www.fusionfirearms.com/parts/...nless-polished
I see lots of people running with this added magwell piece. It this something that would go on my kimber with no mods? Also whats the reason behind people running them? To lengthen the grip a bit?

Third i would like to be schooled on the MSH guts. Are there replacement springs and parts that can be replaced inside the MSH to improve performance in any way?

And last I would like to get some other recommendations on what I can change to improve the pistol from stock ie trigger stuff. Any other recommended mods appreciated.

Sorry for all the newbish questions but again its my first 1911. I appreciate all the help in advance.

Oh and as usual this thread is useless without pics so here she is....





And 1 with its stainless buddy for good measure :rock:

[Brandon04GT]

Ed Brown MSHs are probably much higher quality than the Fusion counterparts.

The only meaningful change you can make to the MSH internals is the mainspring weight but unless you are doing a full trigger job that calls for a lighter mainspring then it really wouldn't help anything to just change the mainspring...

MSHs are normally always drop-in and as are the ones with integrated mag-wells. People run mag-wells to aid in faster reloads, aesthetics, grip lengthening...or any combo of the above...

If you want a MSH with an integrated magwell, and want to spend some money, I would highly recommend this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/188344/nighthawk-custom-mainspring-housing-and-magwell-1911-government-commander-1-piece-20-lpi-checkering-stainless?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[ojisan]

There is a titanium hammer spring cap (and hammer strut) available to shorten lock time.

I don't know what fits your gun best, others will have to chime in.

I kinda like the plastic MSHs.

The spring hole inside is nice and smooth which helps with quick and consistent hammer drops.
I've seen metal MSHs with rough interior spring holes that need re-work just to function.
The plastic MSH is also very light weight, good for a carry gun or if you want to shift the balance point of the gun forward.

[Brandon04GT]

I kinda like the plastic MSHs.

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[Lead Waster]

Remember with a magwell, you can reload easier as it's basically a funnel for the magazine well but if you run magazines without buttpads it may be harder to fully seat the magazines with just your palm pushing it in...

[TruEdge]

Remember with a magwell, you can reload easier as it's basically a funnel for the magazine well but if you run magazines without buttpads it may be harder to fully seat the magazines with just your palm pushing it in...

Makes sense. I can imagine it would be much harder to seat my flush mags. Does anyone know where you can get an arched MSH with mag well in stainless. Preferably with the chainlink if possible.

[Rastoff]

I fully understand the desire to tinker. I love tinkering with my guns too. Even so, JMB did a great job and few "upgrades" actually improve the gun.

If you want to try an extended magwell, I suggest trying this first:



This is a Hogue G10 Magrip. It is a pair of grips and MSH that include an integrated extended magwell. They work very nicely. They're easier to install and much less expensive than the integrated magwell MSH you normally see. Also, going with something like what you linked (which will not fit your gun by the way) will likely require new grips anyway. This will put you over $200.

Anyway, just something to think about. I like mine.

[TruEdge]

I fully understand the desire to tinker. I love tinkering with my guns too. Even so, JMB did a great job and few "upgrades" actually improve the gun.

This is a Hogue G10 Magrip. It is a pair of grips and MSH that include an integrated extended magwell. They work very nicely. They're easier to install and much less expensive than the integrated magwell MSH you normally see. Also, going with something like what you linked (which will not fit your gun by the way) will likely require new grips anyway. This will put you over $200.

Anyway, just something to think about. I like mine.

Nice setup. Curious on why you say the one i linked wouldn't fit. Do you just mean its going to require fitting? Also why a grip change if I used something like the one in the link?

I'm not planning on getting that one anyways I was just using it as an example. I do want an arched MSH with magwell if i can find one that will work with my gun. Like i said earlier i was hoping to find one in chainlink as well.

[Rastoff]

Nice setup. Curious on why you say the one i linked wouldn't fit. Do you just mean its going to require fitting? Also why a grip change if I used something like the one in the link?

The one in the link is for the Officer's model. That model has a shorter grip. Therefore, the MSH would be too short for your gun.

New grips are not necessary, but there is an aesthetic aspect. Grip panels made for an extended mag well are flat on the bottom like this:

These are cut for guns without mag well extension:


These are made for guns with mag well extension:


See how the bottoms are finished differently? Regular grips can be used with mag well extensions, but they'll look funny.

[TruEdge]

The one in the link is for the Officer's model. That model has a shorter grip. Therefore, the MSH would be too short for your gun.

New grips are not necessary, but there is an aesthetic aspect. Grip panels made for an extended mag well are flat on the bottom like this:

These are cut for guns without mag well extension:


These are made for guns with mag well extension:


See how the bottoms are finished differently? Regular grips can be used with mag well extensions, but they'll look funny.

Ahhh gotcha. Didn't realize I posted the link for an Officers model. I see what you mean with the grips too and agree it might look a little funny. I plan on replacing the grips once I get the MSH with some VZ's

[_TomT_]

Out of all of the MSH/Magwells I've tried Ed Brown is by far the best, that being said I never tried a WC. Magwell does help with reloading, that being said IIRC you can't just install a Magwell by itself once you install it you will need to blend it into the frame. And if you don't know what you are doing you will irreversibly wreck your pistol.

[JohnCCW]

I have a Wilson Combat with removable mag well on my Colt Gold Cup.
Required extensive machining and refinishing to fit. Then the WC magazines wouldn't fit the mag well, the polymer base pads had to be shaved to fit.
Would not recommend WC MSH w/mag well.

[JTROKS]

The new EGW MSH with flared mag well is nice. The checkering is waaaay better than their old $55 discontinued model. A Ti hammer strut and MSH cap will decrease lock time. A 17 lb mainspring is minimum so a 19 lb mainspring is a good insurance for a defense gun. What exactly type of trigger you're going for?

[bzh362]

I had pretty bad luck with my Ti MS cap. Plus the EGW one is short, so it is a PITA to get in. My STI Ti hammer strut is still in my gun and works great.

The fit and finish on the Ed brown MSH housing I have is awesome, and better than any of the others I've tried.

[JTROKS]

Use grease or BENOS Trigger slick inside the MSH for the Ti cap.