Hi, Clement:
You don't have to touch the hammer to change mainspring housings, although this is a good time to strip it completely and give it a real cleaning.
First, study these two pages.
http://www.m1911.org/full_partname.htm
http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm
A few details. Lower the hammer before you drive out the mainspring housing pin (part 29). The pin has a domed and a concave side. Push on the concave side of the pin. That keeps your punch centered. Yes, you're supposed to push it out to the right, but it might be in backwards. If the housing is tight in the frame, cocking the hammer usually pushes it out.
The pin has a groove in the middle that the retainer (part 30) drops into. Once you get the pin pushed far enough to get the retainer out of the groove it goes easy. Remember to switch the retainer to the other housing.
Getting the mainspring cap pin (part 27) out is easier if you can compress the mainspring while you push it. An extra pair of hands helps here. You need a GOOD 1/16" pin punch like a Snap-On PPC402A for this job. You'll need it if you change the ejector too.
Give me a holler if you're still buffaloed.
Bye
Jack
You don't have to touch the hammer to change mainspring housings, although this is a good time to strip it completely and give it a real cleaning.
First, study these two pages.
http://www.m1911.org/full_partname.htm
http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm
A few details. Lower the hammer before you drive out the mainspring housing pin (part 29). The pin has a domed and a concave side. Push on the concave side of the pin. That keeps your punch centered. Yes, you're supposed to push it out to the right, but it might be in backwards. If the housing is tight in the frame, cocking the hammer usually pushes it out.
The pin has a groove in the middle that the retainer (part 30) drops into. Once you get the pin pushed far enough to get the retainer out of the groove it goes easy. Remember to switch the retainer to the other housing.
Getting the mainspring cap pin (part 27) out is easier if you can compress the mainspring while you push it. An extra pair of hands helps here. You need a GOOD 1/16" pin punch like a Snap-On PPC402A for this job. You'll need it if you change the ejector too.
Give me a holler if you're still buffaloed.
Bye
Jack
