1911 Barrel Fitting

[Patrick Gookin]

I've been thinking recently of fitting a new barrel to my 1911. However, the slide to frame fit is VERY loose. I measured a 13 thousandths difference between the rear rail on the frame and the slot it slides into in the slide.

Would fitting a new barrel first require me to tighten up the slide to frame fit? From what I've read, it doesn't seem all that important, but is 13 thousandths excessive?

 

[Patrick Gookin]

Also, would it be worth it to install a new barrel? The current barrel's hood is .415 wide while the breech face where the hood slides into is .443. That's a 28 thousandths difference. When the gun is disassembled and the barrel and bushing are in the slide, I can easily rotate the barrel when it should be in battery. I'm assuming this isn't normal? Also, when the gun is assembled and in battery, I can press down on the barrel and it will give.

 

[1911Tuner]

Yeah. .013 is a bit too much. Vertical play/lift is more of a concern than lateral. Peening the rails can remove a lot of it, but it's not really a task for a beginner.

I loaned my swaging punches to a SC Sheriff's deputy about 3 years ago, and haven't seen him or my punches since. I need to ask him about that.

What kind of pistol is it, and where in NC are you?

 

[Patrick Gookin]

I'm in Greenville, NC. The pistol is a Colt Mk IV Series 80 Combat Government Model. My dad won it in an IPSC competition back in the 80s. This barrel project was a hit or miss thing for me. Everything I've done so far has been reversible because I don't want to modify anything permanently. The pistol has a lot of sentimental value to him. I think I'll just leave it be and buy myself a 1911 in the future that I can hammer away on.