I shot it loose, now what

It's possible to tighten the rails on the slide. Get a copy of the Kuhnhausen manual and all will be clear. Otherwise, a gunsmith would be able to take care of that for you.

Ric said:

View attachment 762785 Gents,
I have a SA lightweight professional operator. Long name but it's a great gun.

My problem is I have shot it loose, slide to frame movement. (God knows how many rounds) Aluminum frame, steel slide.
Still shoots but you can actually feel it in recoil. Groups are opened up enough to notice.

Suggestions? The action has been worked so SA isn't under warranty anymore. Novak work years ago (excellent btw)
I like the gun and really don't want to make a safe queen from it, but I won't carry it like this.
It has shot great for years and I hate to give it up. It's kind of like an old friend.

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How much have the groups changed? I mean, if it still shoots minute of bad guy and it's reliable....I'd carry it

Either way, sounds like fun. All guns deserve such an honorable fate

Ric said:

Groups are opened up enough to notice.

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have you inspected the locking lugs? The link?

Id be more concerned with those than the slide to frame fit.

I'd be worried about that aluminum frame.

Frame to slide fit has a lot less to do with accuracy than does the barrel to bushing, barrel lugs to slide, etc. Shoot, a worn barrel link and slide stop pin would affect accuracy as much or more than slide to frame fit because it affects both lug lock-up and barrel hood to slide fit. Manufacturers worry about it because it's easy to do and the only thing the average consumer can check. So some more important things can get swept under the gun and nobody but your gunsmith is any the wiser.

Wasn't it common for soldiers back in the day to choose the 1911 that rattled the most when they shook it?

Maybe it's an old wives tale...but they allegedly did it because the looser pistols were more reliable.

I'm also curious to see where this goes. How many rounds would you say have been through it?

The_Next_Generation said:

Wasn't it common for soldiers back in the day to choose the 1911 that rattled the most when they shook it?

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What was common, back when I was issued a 1911 in the 80's, was that every one was going to rattle when shaken. What you didn't want was one that would field strip itself in this manner.

However, they were 100% reliable (with GI 230 ball), and I never had difficulty shooting Expert during re-qualification.

Moving to the OP's questions: Personally, I would take a 1911 that was a little loose and reliable than one that was tightened up and was no longer 100%.

A new, properly fit bushing would probably fix your accuracy issues.

http://www.egwguns.com/bushings/

If it runs well and groups acceptably, personally I'd just keep shooting it until the frame cracks.

JTQ said:

A new, properly fit bushing would probably fix your accuracy issues.

http://www.egwguns.com/bushings/

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Looks to be a bull barreled gun..

tarosean said:

Looks to be a bull barreled gun..

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Good catch, thanks.

"...Novak work years ago..." Isn't likely shot loose. Movement side to side between the steel slide and aluminum frame is wear. But send it back to Novak.

If the OP is the original owner of the gun, it is under warranty.
From Springfield's website:

WHO AND WHAT IS COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY?
Springfield, Inc. warrants to You, the original retail purchaser of the Product, that the Product
You purchased will be free of defects in workmanship or material, subject to the terms of this
document.

HOW LONG WILL THIS WARRANTY LAST?
This Limited Warranty will last and be in effect during in which YOU, the original retail
purchaser, owns the Product.

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The ultimate cure for a worn aluminum frame is Acc-u-rails. Not cheap but they actually work. I've had them for years on a couple of aluminum frame 1911s that have had in excess of 30,000 rounds through them. The slides still move like they're on ball bearings and not a hint of looseness anywhere. http://www.acc-u-rail.com/

Klint Beastwood said:

I'd be worried about that aluminum frame.

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Especially so when you go to "squeezing" it.

Another alternative if so inclined would be to turn this beauty into an amazingly accurate .22. Install a Nelson .22 conversion and enjoy one truly accurate firearm.

I say just be happy you're one of the few people with little kids who has enough time and spare cash to wear a gun out. You must be doing a lot of things right in your life.

You might consider selling it and buying another one at this point, otherwise it might turn into a money pit for maintenance with diminishing returns in its very near future. I hate to say it, but gunsmiths have little relevance when it comes to production guns these days. It's more about custom work than it is repairs. These days, production guns go back to the factory for warranty repair, the replacement part is customer installable, or the gun is just shot up. 1911s are a slight exception to those rules in some cases, so it might be worth having it checked out. Just make sure he gives you a clear picture of its overall condition and what kind of money you're looking at to breath new life into it.

I'd be surprised if Springfield wouldn't give you some suggestions. I have a 16 year old alloy Ultra Compact 9mm that is definitely not as snug as it was when it was new, but it continues to soldier on. I once asked what they'd do if the frame cracked and I sent it to them. They're simple answer was: "replace the frame."

Go on line and Google Accurate Plating and Weaponry. These guys do amazing work in 1911s. See what they have to say.