SA question for Tuner

I recently read on Hilton Yam's sight that
-"All Springfields lack the relief cut in the impact face of the frame’s barrel bed, which can affect durability of the lower lugs on the barrel"

And would love to know what you think about this Springfield "feature".

Is this another one of Springfield's out-of-spec faux pas like the 9mm FP, rear frame lugs, front site tenon, and other issues with Metric tolerances?

I am currently looking around at inexpensive mil-spec style pistols to teach myself on--don't want cast or too many problems.

Are the springers still a good thing to learn on or should I be on the lookout for a Norinco?

-Chad

Howdy, and welcome to THR.

While I don't want to discount Mr. Yam's theory on the cut, if the barrel linkdown is correctly timed, it shouldn't be a major issue unless you plan on beating the gun to death weekly.

There could be a problem with the lower lug cracking at the junction if the
lug was too far to the rear, or the impact surface was too far forward...but that would present a problem regardless of the relief cut.

The sharp corner on the front of the impact surface can be addressed easliy
enough with a good pocketknife. Jus scrape lightly around the radius of the
bed at a 45 degree angle...just enough to break the corner with a light bevel. Don't get too enthusiastic with the scraping of that corner.

I recently put a USGI Springfield clone through a torture test that would
scald the hair off a sane man...and I haven't seen any problems in that
area. A different gun with a little different linkdown timing and impact point
in the bed might be a different story. I checked the barrel timing closely before starting the test, but if you're in doubt, it would probably be adviseable to go ahead and break the corner a little and polish it lightly with some 600-grit paper on your finger. Again, don't go overboard, or
you could create a bigger problem that you solve.

Luck!

Tuner

Thanks Tuner. You are particularly helpful to all of us 1911 newbies.

-Chad