My GSG-1911 .22 pistol broke today.

[Brian D.]

Well, actually, the barrel bushing bent, and the recoil spring plug flew downrange. The spring stayed in its channel. Couldn't find the plug, and the bushing is not fixable. Guses the gun has 5,000 rounds through it now.

Already sourced the needed parts and they are inbound.

I was just starting to wonder why my groups on the target were so bad, when the breakage occurred.

One of my fellow OFCC forum denizens has the same model and probably lots more through his. Was it you, Sevens?

Anyhow, it's just a gun for 1911 practice with less expensive ammunition, not a totin' piece.

[JustaShooter]

Wow - not a part I'd expect to fail in that way (but it does reinforce what I'd heard about the importance of the barrel bushing for accuracy). Does it look like a defect in materials or manufacturing, or what?

[Brian D.]

Wow - not a part I'd expect to fail in that way (but it does reinforce what I'd heard about the importance of the barrel bushing for accuracy). Does it look like a defect in materials or manufacturing, or what?

It may look like a milspec 1911 bushing, but is cheap casting or MIM or maybe not steel at all. Whether a real 1911 replacement would fit/work in its place..from eyeballing the thing I'd say no.

[dl1911]

Friend had that happen to his once. He'd only had it a few months. They sent him brand new one along with spring which had been lost at range when it flew out.

[Sevens]

5,274 through mine, says the (nearly OCD-driven) log of mine. My original plan was to shoot it to failure within the original 2 year warranty and I figured I could pull it off, 400-500 rds each range trip and a handful of mags with the +4 follower. Then... Sandy Hook happened and the quest for failure ended because rimfire ammo disappeared from the shelves.

Honestly, I hardly shoot it these days. For the cost and the fun factor, the pistol is a winner. However, if you are an accuracy junkie... the pistol gets a seat in the bleachers to watch and doesn't have the ability to compete. The GSG gets no love simply because I have a handful of rimfire handguns that soundly thrash it in most every way.

Materials and build quality are decent... depending on your point of view. The GSG is a fine gun if you compare it to a Walther P-22 or a Sig Mosquito. If you compare it to a Chiappa or Jimenez or Heritage Rough Rider or Phoenix HP-22, the GSG is a professional!

But don't put it up against a Colt Woodsman, S&W 41, or any capable Bullseye-ready rimfire match pistol, because the GSG is not an heirloom piece. And as accuracy and "potential accuracy" goes, the GSG design on the whole has simply given up even potential accuracy in favor of a very neat "1911" design. The barrel isn't fixed securely to the frame and certainly not at all fixed to it's sights. Mechanically speaking, it isn't as capable and cannot be.

Still a lot of fun to shoot and if mine self destructs on the next range trip, I still think the purchase was a resounding success.

[ArmedAviator]

I replaced the bushing and guide rod with solid metal aftermarket parts. It improved accuracy and I now know the guide rod won't snap, which happened on my original. All together, it didn't cost much at all.

[Brian D.]

I will shoot my S&W MP-22 pistol a little more often, and the GSG less, after the latter is running again.

[Bruenor]

Mine didn't bend, the flange (?) broke right off the bushing. Looking at it you could easily tell that part was cheaply made. I called GSG and they sent me a replacement barrel bushing at no charge. Then I ordered a real 1911 bushing from some other distributor, just to keep on hand.

[Brian D.]

Mine didn't bend, the flange (?) broke right off the bushing. Looking at it you could easily tell that part was cheaply made. I called GSG and they sent me a replacement barrel bushing at no charge. Then I ordered a real 1911 bushing from some other distributor, just to keep on hand.

So then, a standard 1911 bushing fits the GSG? An extra one of those, I certainly have already.

As far as the 1911 spring plug goes, I once saw a temporary replacement made from an empty handgun cartridge, although I can't recall what caliber it was.

[carmen fovozzo]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

[Brian D.]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

What's yer point, Carpetburns?

[JustaShooter]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

Saw a Glock spontaneously disassemble itself at Hidden Arms. I just kept plinking with my Ruger.

[JustaShooter]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

What's yer point, Carpetburns?

Now that right there is funny, I don't care who you are!

[carmen fovozzo]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

What's yer point, Carpetburns?

THe point is it can happen to the higher priced 1911 to...Baggy pants..and I don't have sideburns ..

[Brian D.]

Saw a Kimber 1911 do the same thing at Stonewall....I just kept plinking with
my little oh G19.

What's yer point, Carpetburns?

Now that right there is funny, I don't care who you are!

If Carmen was "mobbed up" I think Carpetburns would be a great nickname for him.