Bent Lanyard loop 1911A1

[dbarn]

The landyard loop on one of my USGI 1911A1's MSH is bent forward toward the muzzle. Not bad, but noticeable. Thought about using a hammer & wooden dowel to bend the other way and straighten. Are these fairly fragile? Should I leave well enough alone? The last thing I want to do is break it off. Thanks.

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[Johnny Peppers]

The lanyard loop was made from mild steel and shouldn't break, but just to be sure why don't you remove it from the MSH to straighten it?

[badabing]

You cold try that but as you mentioned, why take the risk. Instead, remove the grips and set frame on a solid surface. A nice piece of pine 2x4 will work. Tap out the MSH housing pin and slide the MSH out. I used 3/32 punch on the one in the picture. It came from an old Sistema and it was tough to remove. You must hold the MSH firmly, while holding the punch and hitting with a hammer. It took a number of blow to finally get this one to start moving. I have a stubby punch for starting, it's less likely to bend or break. Once you get the cross pin to move you can continue to tap it out with a longer punch. Use a small screw drive to pry out the lanyard loop. Usually they aren't too hard to remove once the cross pin is out.

[dbarn]

Thanks guys, I'm thinking leverage, but you're right it would be easier to simply remove it. Once it's out, would you recommend using a brass hammer to straighten?

[dbarn]

Got the crosspin out, but try as I might, the loop would not come out or budge. It's wedged in really tight. Wound up putting the MSH in a vise between two blocks of pine and using a large brass punch, got most of the bend out.

[Johnny Peppers]

Got the crosspin out, but try as I might, the loop would not come out or budge. It's wedged in really tight. Wound up putting the MSH in a vise between two blocks of pine and using a large brass punch, got most of the bend out.

If you break the lanyard loop off in the MSH you can see how much fun you have digging the pieces out.

[Scott Gahimer]

Yeah, that's when it is time to add a little heat to the matter.

[Deadeye Ashley]

Thanks guys, I'm thinking leverage, but you're right it would be easier to simply remove it. Once it's out, would you recommend using a brass hammer to straighten?

Howdy guys,
I use a 4 oz. hammer and a ground down small chisle with a polished, rounded end to striaghten metal rod on a large block of hard linotype lead. it keeps the part from shooting across the room and hiding behind something as they are want to do. Place the bend up so the loop and end of the rod is touching the block. Hold the other leg down with a clamp and give the rise in the bend a reasonable hit and make a bunch of taps until the part straigtens up. Repete on the other leg. Polish and blue for a nice repair.
Just signed up so my particulars are on the introduction forum.

[badabing]

Usually you can dive something wedge-like through the loop and it will pull it out of the MSH.

[Jim K]

Hi, dbarn,

IMHO, and a little experience, it would have been much easier to do what you suggested in the first place and a lot less likely to damage the MSH. That loop is tough and I usually use just a brass block and a hammer to straighten them without trying to remove them. (If the loop is bent forward, I never even take the MSH out of the gun, just rest it on the bench pad and whack the loop.)

Jim