Yeesh, doing some work on a 1911 and managed to lose the mainspring retaining pin...
This was after I went to swap out the rear sight on my 1866 Uberti. I had ordered the correct sight some time back, but it grew legs and hid from me. So I went to take the rear sight off an used Roger 10/22 barrel that was in the cabinet. Guess what? I found the missing rear sight. So at least that job got done. Then I pulled the pin from one of my own 1911s so I could get my friend's gun working.
Well, the shipping from Brownell's is more than the pin....Yeesh
Back when i was shooting an d stripping my 1911’s a lot, i keptlosing that pin …
I finally discovered that a common framing nail (forget which size… 10 penney? ) was a perfect fit!
Cut them to size with a dremmel, bevel and cup the ends on the drill press (poor mans lathe)
And whilst it was on the press, add the groove with a tiny round file….
Spec is .156” found here
http://gunsmithinfo.com/images/Drawings/1911%20Mainspring%20Housing%20Pin.pngAlso indicates heat treat, etc ….
Tenpenny is ~ .148 ….
Of course drill rod would be even better! #23 or 24?
Or take your mic down to the hardware store and spend a few quality hours measuring stuff…
Yhs
Prof cheapskate