1911 fore/aft barrel play?

[js2013]

How much fore/aft barrel play is optimal for reliability purposes? By fore/aft movement I mean the amount the barrel will move when horizontally locked up in the slide. I would guess for bullseye it would be close to zero. But for reliability should there be some play, maybe around .003 or so to allow for dirt?

 

[HSMITH]

.003" would be the maximum I would tolerate, and only then on a beater. A gun with .003" is going to be really hard on lugs.

The barrel really shouldn't have any play when locked up.