Plunger Tube Staking Tool

CptnBlues63

CptnBlues63

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So I was at the range last Sunday shooting my Para Ordnance GI Expert (1911) and the plunger tube broke off. (Yeah, it looks like a MIM part to me)

I'm trying to find a place in Canada where I can buy a "plunger tube staking tool" so I can fix it myself once the part arrives. I found two at Brownells in the US but they can't ship them to Canada. The mfg's aren't registered with some state board or agency.

Anyhow, I'm 2 hours away from the nearest gunsmith and I suspect that the cost of the repair + gas used to drive there and back will likely be more than me just guying the tool and doing it myself.

So, my question is, does anybody know where I can buy a Plunger Tube Staking Tool here in Canada? Preferably something I can order online but I'm not adverse to doing it over the phone either.

My google searches have turned up nothing.

TIA
 
Called Brownells back and went through the order process over the phone. Turns out you can have it shipped to Canada (it's a tool, not a freaking gun part after all) and it's on its way.

Thanks to the fellow gun enthusiast in Saskatoon who offered to let me borrow his! You have to love a community that includes people like that. :)
 
When you get it and go to use it, there's one trick I learned after ruining one or two plunger tubes. Take some rod (or a drill bit) that slips into the tube but has no slop. This will help prevent the tube from crushing and losing its shape when you stake it. If it goes out of round, the detents will bind.
 
Thanks anyhow tnegrin83 your offer is appreciated!

Thanks for the info deadman, I will most definitely do that. I'd have never thought of that myself and this could mean the difference between fixing it right the first time, or ordering another replacement plunger tube and not shooting my .45 for another 2 weeks.

Just FYI if anybody's interested. There's only one pistol gunsmith in Edmonton and I'm north of it a couple hours drive. I talked to him on the phone and he quoted me $40.00 to do the repair and warned me he had a couple months baglog to clear and didn't work weekends. The tool, with shipping, cost me $40. He told me it would probably be worth my while to just order the tool.

I also want to mention that the pistol smith was very kind about explaining how to replace the tube and the detents. He didn't have to. He was also the one that told me I should be able to order the tool from Brownells because:
a) it's not a gun part it's a tool
and
b) that's where he ordered his from
 
Its a hillbilly method but its worked for me. There may be a tool specifically for preventing crushing, or maybe I just over tightened mine, not sure.

I'm a big fan of buying the tool and trying it myself rather than paying someone else to do it. You get the tool and the experience for the same price.
 
how to make your own plunger tube staking tool

how to make your own plunger tube staking tool out of a steel C clamp and a block of aluminum......I made this tool and used it to stake 7 different plunger tubes.

looks like #### but works perfectly!! don't forget to bevel the back of the holes a little so the plunger tube flares out and won't come off. (I have another tool that I use for that, a handle with a diamond ball dremel bit)

lots of times factory guns don't bevel the back of the holes, thats why the plunger tube comes loose in the first place

also make sure you use drill bits or correct size rods in the tube so you don't crush it when staking.

and the biggest piece of advice I can give you is....after you stake your plunger tube.....get original style 1911 grips that fully cover the plunger tube and they'll NEVER come off again or come loose. that was John Moses Brownings original design. I will not use grips that are cut off below the plunger tube or don't fully cover the plunger tube.

in fact you'll find if you use the right set of grips you wouldn't even have to stake the plunger tube at all because the grips hold the plunger tube in place. not saying you shouldn't stake your plunger tube.....just saying if you have no other choice

second pic is the hole bevel tool I use. don't overdo it, as long as there's a slight bevel it's never gonna come off. add a tiny drop of blue locktight after staking

I make all my own tools for 1911 and AR's





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Nice job on the tool there grandmasterP. Sadly, I'm not equipped to make tools like that but I did spend the $40 (incl. shipping) on the following from Brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9489/Product/PLUNGER-TUBE-STAKING-TOOL

It arrived on Tuesday and last night I replaced the broken plunger tube. I laid everything I figured I'd need out before even field stripping my 1911. I also grabbed a full set of drill bits. I also found the following video online and watched it before starting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kH29E4XiUE

The only tricky part was getting the tool's tooth properly aligned before staking. Including teardown (field strip, remove grips, remove safety), clearing the legs from the old plunger tube from the holes, staking new tube and putting everything back together. I think it took me about 20 minutes.

I'm off to the range Monday morning (wife is having a garage sale Sat/Sun and I have to help *sigh*) to make sure my 1911 is working fine again.

Again, thank you one and all for the help, info, and offers to borrow your staking tool. I'm hopeful that this thread will help someone else with a broken plunger tube in the future.

If you find this thread because your tube broke and you live in my area (Northern AB) feel free to PM. I would happily loan you my tool or help you fix yours.
 
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