S&W 1911 barrel bushing

[mitchnbarb]

Hi all. Not too long ago, I purchased the S&W 1911. I can't say enough good things about this gun. It is amazingly accurate and all around solid as a rock. However, after cleaning the gun, getting that barrel bushing back in place over the spring cap with the bushing wrench is incredibly difficult. After lauching the spring cap into the stratosphere about 4 times now, I was wondering if anyone knows the magic incantation or some other secret to getting this thing back in place without having to go for carpel tunnel surgery after each assembly? Thanks!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[palmgopher]

yeah i have the same problem.....i guess it just takes lots of practice!...lol. is kinda funny though

[mitchnbarb]

Thanks, Palmgopher. I am running out of spackle for the holes in my ceiling :-)

[Bud White]

Sorry if this seems over simple you are putting the bushing in slide and turning it all the way to the right then pushing the spring and cap in then twisting the bushing right ??

I had a friend trying to put the bushing in while holding the spring cap down

[mitchnbarb]

Thanks, Bud. Yes, I put the cap on first, twist the bushing to the right as far as I can before it hinders pushing the cap all the down, then I apply about 4 million foot pounds of pressure and torque to try to get it over the cap...until the bushing wrench slides off again and I hurl another cap into low earth orbit.

[Bud White]

shouldn't be that hard to twist back into place even my baer with the uber tight bushing is easy

you got a full length guide rough though dont ya ?

[mitchnbarb]

right...full length rod.

[Bud White]

real easy to put back together if ya ditch that

[mitchnbarb]

Ahhhh...didn't know I could do that. Any negatives to using a shorter guide rod?

[Bud White]

nope in fact lot of plus's dont have that stupid rod and can use a closed end spring cap

[JD]

Also, are you engaging the thumb safety to keep the slide from moving to the rear?

I also second removing the full length rod, get a standard plug and standard recoil spring guide. I recently took the one out of my Springfield and will probably pick up the parts to do it to my Colt.

[mitchnbarb]

Excellent, thanks! I will definitely be getting one soon!

[Bud White]

Make sure you order the commander size plug and short guide

[JD]

What's the difference in the plug?

[mitchnbarb]

jdlv4_0, I can't believe I didn't think of engaing the thumb safety to keep the slide in place (slaps self in the forehead). Thanks! I am sure that has been part of the problem.