Which part is the best?

[SigMeister]

OK, I've got a Kimber Pro Carry and I am replacing the plastic mainspring housing I want a solid steel one. My question is, which is best? I'm looking at a Brownells catalog. I see several brands, Wilson, Smith and Alexander, Briley all say solid steel. Price on those vary about $10-$12. The I see one that is $20. Mansen but it is cast so I don't want that one.

I'm buying stainless. The Briley is the only one that says what kind of steel it's made from. 416 stainless. $40.00 Does this mean it's a forged part....hopefully? The Wilson is the most expensive at $46.00 Description just says solid steel. Forged? The S&A also says solid steel, it's $36.

Ed Brown has a bunch of different ones which are all more expensive than the 3 above. There can't be that much difference in these things.

help!!

[dsk]

AFAIK they are all cast. Why on Earth anybody would ever need a forged MS housing is beyond me!

However, there are definite differences in the quality of the machining. Les Baer housings are tight, and may need fitting. Wilson and S&A housings are very good, but the Masen ones are garbage. I have one, and the holes for both the mainspring pin and MS housing retaining pin are mis-located, making the part totally useless.

[SigMeister]

Heck I don't know about forgings, I'm just asking questions. All I know is I want steel. Glad to know about the quality of the machining, thanks. I don't need any misaligned holes. I'll probably just go with the S&A unless someone thinks it's worth $10. more to get the Wilson. IMO it's probably $10. for the name Wilson. How about the Briley? Any experience with them?

[JIMBOB]

SigMeister, I know you from the SIGForum...Hows it going ? Congrats on the Pro Carry they are beautiful. I have a Classic Custom I bought in 1996 back when they made them in Oregon, Clackamas to be exact. My other I exchanged the mainspring housing for a Smith and Alexander unit. I prefer the arched as it gives me a nicer purchase. The hand hold is right where it needs to be. The S & A site says they are $34.95/your choice. I am happy with mine and they offer them in Alloy aswell. Take a closer look http://smithandalexander.com/

[cjklekar]

I've put the Les Baer MSH S/S on my Colt Commander. It fit perfectly, like it was made for it.

I've put an arched S&A blue steel MSH on my Kimber. It's also a nice fit.

[SigMeister]

Originally posted by JIMBOB
SigMeister, I know you from the SIGForum...Hows it going ? Congrats on the Pro Carry they are beautiful. I have a Classic Custom I bought in 1996 back when they made them in Oregon, Clackamas to be exact. My other I exchanged the mainspring housing for a Smith and Alexander unit. I prefer the arched as it gives me a nicer purchase. The hand hold is right where it needs to be. The S & A site says they are $34.95/your choice. I am happy with mine and they offer them in Alloy aswell. Take a closer look http://smithandalexander.com/

Hi JimBob, That's a different Sig_Meister on the Sig forum. It's not me. I go by another name on that forum I've got several names on a bunch of different forums. I don't know why. Never found a name I liked enough to use everyplace I guess. I use the same e-mail addy on all of them though. I'm on Glocktalk too, and AR15.com and AK47.net and Parallax C&R board, assault web occasionally. S&W Forums too. Dang, all I do is read about guns and work. LOL!!!!! And shoot some now and then......LOL!!!!

I ordered the S&A stainless from Brownells today. $24.50 I've got a C&R License so I get dealer price from them and Midway.