1911 thumb safety problem

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Hey guys, I just picked up my 1st 1911 and I was so stoked to get it. Well I noticed that it was pretty dirty so I decided to do a full strip of the gun and clean it inside and out. well I got my instructions from youtube and the dis assembly was easy, but as I put together the gun, I had a problem with the safety. the problem is, when I put it all back together, I pulled back the hammer and engaged the thumb safety and the plunger pin that holds it in pops out and wont let me disengage it. I have to push the pin in with my nail so the safety slides down and makes it ready to fire. It is really frustrating!!

[Arondos]

Have you tried looking at http://www.m1911.org/ReassemblyAnimation.htm shows how to take it apart and put it back together.

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

I checked out the vid, it is pretty interesting, but I did everything pretty much how the video said.

[ojisan]

The slide stop and safety plungers have slightly different shapes...slide stop plunger is more pointy.
Are the plungers reversed?
This could allow the SS plunger to slip over the face edge of the safety.
Also, if the safety was replaced sometime, it may not be properly fitted.
Sounds like a used gun, it could have a few problems to iron out.

[Chief-7700]

This may help.

http://warlockfirearms.blogspot.com/2010/05/complete-disassembly-and-detail.html

Pictures would help also.

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Here are some pics

[Chief-7700]

What happens when the slide is on the frame?

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

the same thing. the safety goes into the slide and stops the hammer from dropping, but the plunger comes out like shown.

[Plisk]

I'd take it to a smith. It could be a simple problem you're overlooking and could risk damaging a part if you keep working at it.

[Chief-7700]

When you bought it did you do the standard safety and function checks?

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

Yes, I made all the checks and everything was working fine. I just dont get it. I think its a good Idea to take it to a smith

[Mr_Monkeywrench]

I figured it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the problem wasnt the safety, its the tube that the springs and plungers go in. the two bars that hold it into the frame are loose. so when the safety comes up, the back bar slides out just enough to make the plungers come out. now is there anyway to secure this part into the frame to make sure it doesnt come out again?

[Chief-7700]

Yes there is in order to do it right you will need a pair of plunger tube crimpers or the plunger tube staking tool. You got some great advice take it to a good 1911 smith.

There is what the tools look like:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k=1911+plunger+tube/t=P/ksubmit=y/Products/All/search=1911_plunger_tube

[Colt]

Did you remove the plunger tube spring when you cleaned? Did you disassemble it?

It looks like the it pops out too far, which leads me to think the part that you can see is not staying pushed into the spring (which you can't see because of the plunger tube.

So, you may want to try removing the thumb safety and then the plunger tube spring to make sure it's not damaged or broken somehow.

When buying a used 1911 it's a good idea to replace all the springs. In your case, I'd recommend getting a new plunger tube spring at minimum. Better yet, get an Ed Brown 1911 rebuild kit from Brownells. It comes with every pin and spring you can think of, except a recoil spring. You should get one of those, also...

Good luck.

ETA: Posted as you were posting your comments - in that case, you need to ensure plunger tube stays fixed. Check here http://forum.m1911.com and do a search - you may get the info you need to fix it yourself.

[Trapper]

Brownells sells a plunger tube crimp kit for $74.97 or a staking tool for $34.23 but your best bet would be to just pay a gunsmith. It's not uncommon for plunger tubes to need to be restaked.