WTH a new Spring Plug?

[Bobthegod]

So how many of you knew you could use an empty .45 casing as a spring plug?
AND, it looks way cool too.

see attached

[sjddavis]

I tried it and it works. Think it's a fluke or by design?

[Horoscope Fish]

Originally Posted by sjddavis

I tried it and it works. Think it's a fluke or by design?

It's by design (and one more reason to use the original GI-Guide rod?) and further, as I recall, the slots in the grip screws of the 1911 (as spec'ed by JMB) can be also be removed using an empty .45 ACP case rim. The pistol is designed to be it's own tool-kit.

He was a pretty savvy guy. methinks.

[scubajosh77]

I actually hadn't seen this one before. VERY cool. I knew about the screws, the sear spring tip, and the tip of the hammer strut.

[TN.Frank]

Originally Posted by Horoscope Fish

The pistol is designed to be it's own tool-kit.

He was a pretty savvy guy. methinks.

Yep, JMB was a Firearms Genius. As you pull the 1911 apart(if you do it in the right order) you get "tools" that'll help you pull it more apart. The thought that was put into this design never stops amazing me.

[400cor-bon]

yup, JMB knew what he was doing
I guess a lot of GI 1911s ended up that way after the real plug
went airborne into the wild blue yonder

[TN.Frank]

Think we've finally found a use for all those Aluminum 45acp Blazer cases. Seems like they'd work well as a light weight spring plug.

[iGun]

I did not know that. Thanks for posting.

[TN.Frank]

I wonder how effective it is in keeping the barrel bushing from turning. Probably work better if you turned the rim down a bit so it'd stick into the bushing like the stock plug.

P.S.
I've just got to grab an empty shell case and give this a try.LOL

[bdavis385]

Now all we need is a cartridge that would function as a reverse plug!

[BBQLS1]

That's pretty awesome.

[MW surveyor]

Tried this about 2 months ago when I thought I lost my spring plug. While it does work, a tiny bit of machining may help so that it fits the bushing better.

[hogrider05]

I posted this pic a few days ago when someone asked the advantages of a FLGR vs GI.
It does work but I believe its more for a emergency situation.

[dsk]

Usually you need to shave down the case rim to allow it to hold the bushing. I'm not sure if JMD designed this on purpose, but yes many a GI out in the boonies used this trick after they lost the original recoil spring plug in the grass somewhere.

[Porterhouse83]

If I ever own a 1911 with a bushing thats what im going to do.

[TClark22]

seems unsafe to me. While it does look cool.

its made from soft brass instead of the hard steel of an actual plug

but i have a FLGR

[dsk]

It definitely won't last as long as a normal steel plug will, as the recoil spring will eventually chew its way through. However if any of the guys on Guadalcanal suddenly shot their spring plug across the Ilu River they probably didn't care.

[La Grenouille]

In the above photo, it looks as if the case is sitting at an angle - is there any risk of the case mouth gouging the inside of the dust cover?

[walterjoe]

La Grenouille In the above photo, it looks as if the case is sitting at an angle - is there any risk of the case mouth gouging the inside of the dust cover?

I would doubt it, since the case is brass, very much softer than the steel dust cover.

WalterJoe

[La Grenouille]

Duh lol

[iShoot]

Originally Posted by TClark22

seems unsafe to me. While it does look cool.

its made from soft brass instead of the hard steel of an actual plug

but i have a FLGR

It would to a FLGR user.

....but I shoot almost exclusively Tula steel cased so 'hopefully' I'll be good2go should the need arise

[RyanN]

This does look kind of neat and I can see where this would work as a temporary fix. But an issue that I see is that the casing doesn't capture the barrel bushing. So, the bushing could turn during repeated fire and and potentially end up launching the case and spring down range.

[jfwest]

Originally Posted by dsk

It definitely won't last as long as a normal steel plug will, as the recoil spring will eventually chew its way through. However if any of the guys on Guadalcanal suddenly shot their spring plug across the Ilu River they probably didn't care.

....and he had plenty of replacements close at hand.

[rustygunner]

I had never thought of that. Guess if I ever launch mine and can't find it, my pistol can still function while I wait for the replacement to arrive.

[master gunner]

Originally Posted by scubajosh77

I actually hadn't seen this one before. VERY cool. I knew about the screws, the sear spring tip, and the tip of the hammer strut.

Please enlighten us; and any other hints, tricks & tips.