Posted: 1/20/2015 3:50:58 PM EDT
| Howdy all. Any of you folks do your own barrel fitting on a 1911? |
|
Quoted:
Howdy all. Any of you folks do your own barrel fitting on a 1911? Yes, but I had to purchase some tools to do it. Most critical would be a "lug cutter" for cutting lugs on an unfit (non-drop-in) barrel. However, unless you are trying to wring out the last 1/2 inch of group size on a bullseye gun, most shooters don't really notice that much improvement in a fitted barrel. In fact, according to most M1911 marksmen, here is the order in which you can see the most improvement in accuracy in your typical 1911 (from most change to least change in accuracy): 1. Sights (switching to highly visible sights) 2. Trigger (crisp, creep free, no overtravel) 3. Barrel fit at breech end (consistent lockup) 4. Barrel fit at muzzle end (bushing fit) 5. Slide rail tightening |
|
I used an "easy fit" barrel which requires the hood fitted and the appropriate length link chosen. Kart uses fitting pads between the locking lugs and comes with the proper link and a matched oversized OD bushing. It shrunk my groups by 1/2, not 1/2."
Unless the gun shoots terribly off a rest or it is to be a bullseye pistol it's not much worth it. Mine turned out quite well using a files, a stone, and a very simple fixture to keep things square (I used a block of some sort). 
20141222_132707_LLS by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr It's not for the faint of heart as doing it wrong could mean ruining a $250 barrel and/or causing the gun to slowly beat itself to death. |
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.