Sticky Barrel Link?

[minime]

I recently purchased a used SA TRP Operator with a 5" bull barrel. With the barrel out of the gun the barrel link does not freely pivot back and forth but is free to a point and then "sticks" and requires a little extra pressure to move it front and back. Is this a normal occurance with this particular barrel and barrel link setup? And if it is, why does it do that?

I've only owned one other 1911 with a regular 5" barrel but I am almost positive the barrel link moved freely on that one.

 

[1911Tuner]

Link

Depends on where it sticks. if it does it when you swing it back farther than the in-battery position, it won't hurt anything. If it sticks when you swing it forward into the linkdown position, it may interfere with barrel drop speed.

In the full down position...link forward...it doesn't lie flat against the barrel in operation.

 

[HSMITH]

Most likely there is a little 'dent' in the lower lugs where the barrel hits the slide stop as it starts to link up, and that little dent has displaced metal into the channel where the link lives. Fold the link all the way back and use a small screwdriver or something to feel for an irregularity in the sides of the channel of the lugs. If you find something take it out with a jewelers file, JUST taking off the high spot. Link should swing freely then. Keep an eye on it, it will likely progress for a few thousand rounds and then stop.