Springfield Armory's ILS Removal ?

[TMan]

Okay, my Springfield Armory WWII 1911 arrived today. With an extra magazine the total cash outliay (less taxes) was $420. So, I don't have a lot invested yet.

The gun looks a lot like what I had in Vietnam. Don't ask me why I'd want something to remind me of that, but I just really, really like the looks of this thing.

Also, even though it is one of the lowest priced 1911's you can buy, I don't believe it is garbage. Therefore, by doing a little internal work, I think I can turn it into something fun to shoot, and something I can take a little pride in. (Someone once looked at my car and said: wow, bet you are really proud of that. I replied: why, I had nothing to do with its design or manufacture. So, when you do some work yourself, you can take a little pride - just before your fall ;D)

Then I read the owner's manual. What the $%#@* is this ILS crap. I thought ILS was Instrument Landing System (I'm old Air Force guy). According to the manual you need a big rubber band, plus their little tools, in order to remove it. I want to remove it permanently. I don't want to deal with it. Anyone know of a way to replace it with other parts? Apparently it is tied into the mainspring assembly in some way, so I guess I'll have to buy some new parts, but what kind and from whom? Has anybody tried this before?

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; If you remove the mainspring housing, after you first remove the thumb safety, you will see this bugger when you remove the mainspring, mainspring cap, and retainer. After that; You will know what to order from the Brownell's catalog, in order to bring the pistol in compliance with your own requirements. How did that sound?

[TMan]

So, from what you said, I assume the parts are readily available to get rid of the ILS.

However, I'm thinking that I'll just clean off the factory lube, add my own, and take it to the range on Tuesday just to ensure that it works properly prior to me doing any work on it. That way I'll know without a shadow of a doubt that I screwed it up, it didn't come from the factory that way.

I really like the looks of this thing. Speaking of looks, the more I look at the colt with its black plastic grips, the more I like the looks. My first thought was to get rid of the grips, but ... It's sort of like my wife's black car; at first I hated it, now I love it.

[TA]

TMan,

I removed the ILS on my Springfield and I've also shot a few ILS approaches in my life too.

Like DA says, it is an easy fix. The "magic" is in the mainspring cap. It has a detent cut in it and I believe it is longer than a standard cap. I just replaced all 3 pieces. You don't have to replace the MSH unless you want to get rid of the key hole. Also, I think most of these Springfields come without a cap pin. If so, you will see a bent stainless pin in your accessories. Just slide that into the hole at the top right of the MSH before disassembly. This will hold everything in place until you are ready to remove it. Just make sure your thumb is over the the top of the housing to catch the spring when you remove the temporary cap pin. It is a cheap and easy fix.