Originally Posted by
Dave Berryhill
Checking the plunger tube regularly is good but many 1911s come with plunger tubes that are not properly staked IMO. I like to see the holes flared or chamfered on the inside of the frame, the studs should be long enough to reach the inside of the frame and then staked. I put a little loctite on the studs before I stake them too.
Many 1911s come from the factory with holes that aren't chamfered or studs that aren't long enough to reach the chamfers. If you stake (flare) a stud that is in a hole with parallel sides, you've only created some tension to hold the plunger tube in place instead of a mechanical fastener like a rivet. Sooner or later it will come loose.
I've even seen some where they missed the stud completely and staked the frame next to the hole.