Colt .45 ACP MKIV, Series '70, FTF - The Firearms Forum

Terry G · 11-29-2009, 02:15 PM

My 1911 Series 70 started to fail to drop the hammer after I pulled the trigger. When I released the grip safety and reapplied it, it would fire. This happened four times with five different magazines. I field stripped it and Gun Scrubbed the heck out of it, re-lubricated it. Fired four magazines flawlessly. However, a source tells me it is definitely an indication that I need a new mainspring and shouldn't be carried until it's installed. I sure would appreciate some input from board members. I've owned the gun since 1973 and only replaced an extractor once. Thanks!

Shooter45 · 11-29-2009, 03:41 PM

Sounds like a good cleaning is all your 1911 needed. As far as a spring change, it couldn't hurt but I'll bet it's not needed at this point. Springs go bad due to use not age. Keep us posted.

Terry G · 11-30-2009, 11:02 AM

Well, the input I'm getting is that a spring change is not needed; the thorough cleaning seemed to fix the problem. As far as use, I figure roughly a minmum of 15,000 rounds have gone through that gun in a 34 year period. Maybe changing out the old spring is not a bad idea anyway. There fairly cheap from Numrich Arms $10.00 with shipping. What do yo think? Thanks.

oscarmayer · 11-30-2009, 11:28 AM

if it was mine and i wanted springs i'd get them from woffes, brownells ,or kings gun works

11-29-2009, 02:15 PM	#1
Terry G V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 120	Colt .45 ACP MKIV, Series '70, FTF My 1911 Series 70 started to fail to drop the hammer after I pulled the trigger. When I released the grip safety and reapplied it, it would fire. This happened four times with five different magazines. I field stripped it and Gun Scrubbed the heck out of it, re-lubricated it. Fired four magazines flawlessly. However, a source tells me it is definitely an indication that I need a new mainspring and shouldn't be carried until it's installed. I sure would appreciate some input from board members. I've owned the gun since 1973 and only replaced an extractor once. Thanks! __________________ "An Armed Society is a Polite Society." -->

11-29-2009, 03:41 PM	#2
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,747	Re: Colt .45 ACP MKIV, Series '70, FTF Sounds like a good cleaning is all your 1911 needed. As far as a spring change, it couldn't hurt but I'll bet it's not needed at this point. Springs go bad due to use not age. Keep us posted.

11-30-2009, 11:02 AM	#3
Terry G V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 120	Re: Colt .45 ACP MKIV, Series '70, FTF Well, the input I'm getting is that a spring change is not needed; the thorough cleaning seemed to fix the problem. As far as use, I figure roughly a minmum of 15,000 rounds have gone through that gun in a 34 year period. Maybe changing out the old spring is not a bad idea anyway. There fairly cheap from Numrich Arms $10.00 with shipping. What do yo think? Thanks. __________________ "An Armed Society is a Polite Society."

11-30-2009, 11:28 AM	#4
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Colt .45 ACP MKIV, Series '70, FTF if it was mine and i wanted springs i'd get them from woffes, brownells ,or kings gun works