TexasCHLforum.com

the plunger tube has come loose on my 1911. It is my only carry. i am effectively disarmed until i cannget it fixed

Ouch! I hope there is a 1911 smith with a plunger tube staking tool near you.

So, I'm not terribly familiar with the inner workings of the 1911 platform. Is the plunger tube unique to it? Seems like my non-1911s with thumb safeties operate with different mechanisms, but I just had to Google plunger tube.

hpcatx wrote:So, I'm not terribly familiar with the inner workings of the 1911 platform. Is the plunger tube unique to it? Seems like my non-1911s with thumb safeties operate with different mechanisms, but I just had to Google plunger tube.

Yes, it is necessary to the safe operation of a 1911. It helps to retain the slide lock lever, and it is necessary to engage/disengage the thumb safety. Without being able to engage/disengage the thumb safety, you cannot safely carry it cocked and locked....which is the only rational way to carry a 1911.

Thanks for the explanation, TAM. It also helps explains why a DAO with a thumb safety (non-1911) would have a different type of mechanism. I have two 9mm like that and, while I know their innards, had not heard of a plunger tube.

psijac wrote:the plunger tube has come loose on my 1911. It is my only carry. i am effectively disarmed until i cannget it fixed

You don't have your location listed in your profile; you might be surprised how many forum members have spare 1911 parts laying around....

if you're in the Houston area, send me a PM, I think I have all you need except maybe the spring/plunger set itself...I know I have a stainless tube and a staking tool on hand.