Sloppiest 1911 slide ever? Need a pro pistolsmith...maybe a miracle worker?

Munkey1973

Munkey1973

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Long story short, I decided to start a small side business involving fiber laser engraving about 2.5 years ago.

I wanted to buy a cheap handgun to engrave as my first and use it as demo (a couple months before the freeze came into effect) and chose a used Dominion Arms 1911.
They have no logos engraved on the slides ...which is great because its a "big blank canvas" for custom artwork.

I've owned a few Kimbers & Springfields in the past and have had no such need for a pistol smith.

Clearly, a Dominion Arms is not comparable to the fit and finish of a Kimber or Springfield...well, almost 90% of 1911s made in North America.

However, the slide on this Dominion Arms is an EXCESSIVELY slopply fit the receiver.
All kinds of clacking around... and hoping it can be corrected with a smith that is skilled at that frame peening technique.

Also, the geometry on the grip screw bushings definitely out on the left side
One bushing for sure was not installed perpendicular to the frame, and may not be the right distance between centers.
I have a dozen aluminum blank grips (for engraving) made on CNC from the USA. None of them fit the right side. They all have a large gap due the bushings on the frame.
This isn't a problem with the factory grips as they are rubber and have give and stretch. But aluminum -of course -has little give a stretch.

Are there any smiths in Canada that could sort out this clapped out pile o' s##t for me ?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MSiB-payh2w



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It is not excessively sloppy frame/slide wise for a Norinco, not even the worst. How does it shoot?

I got a NZ85 frame with similar grip problem tho. I can't figure out how they put it on to start. Also it doesn't accept any of my slides; blessed are the sloppy 1911s ;).
 
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Not sure if Armco is still around. But don't use them.
I sent a Norinco years ago to him. As I wanted his special tune. The gun had some identifying marks. He cashed the cheque and returned the gun. Pretty sure he did nothing.
 
I would alter the back side of the alum grip to make it fit

1911 unless they are match quality are a bit clunky, and if they are a bit clunky they run better when they get real dirty where a race gun will jam up

people who run race guns, a high percentage use jacketed to keep the gun cleaner

barrel quality and barrel fit = accuracy
 
the fit you have would not worry me if it shoots decent, last one I purchased we actually loosened up lots to stop it rubbing and not feeding 100%

the grips, just fit them, at some point someone could have put a larger bushing in the frame and not fully turned in, possibly it stopped the Mag going in, I would if needed turn it in fully and remove material on the inside,

as stated previously they run better loose than tight for 99% of the time
 
kg said:
It is not excessively sloppy frame/slide wise for a Norinco, not even the worst. How does it shoot?

I got a NZ85 frame with similar grip problem tho. I can't figure out how they put it on to start. Also it doesn't accept any of my slides; blessed are the sloppy 1911s ;).
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I don't know how it shoots.. never took it out. I might not ever take it out actually.
I bought it pretty much to engrave it and refurbish the finish with Cerakote (and possibly gold plate some areas ...if I want to also invest in an electroplating system).

Its primarily going to be a display gun. But before I do my work to it, I figure that I have to correct the slop to prevent the frame from grinding away the slide at the front... plus get my grips to sit flat on the receiver.
 
Ruger007 said:
Not sure if Armco is still around. But don't use them.
I sent a Norinco years ago to him. As I wanted his special tune. The gun had some identifying marks. He cashed the cheque and returned the gun. Pretty sure he did nothing.
Click to expand...

For Christ Sake Buddy Give it a REST. Gunner has been out of business for years!
 
Peened rails probably won't look good, especially if you are gold plating this thing. Having the frame rails precision machined and a blank slide cut to size is the nicest option, next would be something like accu-rails. I wouldn't recommend welding the frame if you want to electroplate it later.
 
The traditional way to tighten a slide on any semi 45 was to slather the rails with valve grinding compound and replace the slide. Gently slam the slide with a sledge hammer and slowly rework the slide until the desired fit is achieved. Worked for me on a Norinco Compact. Of course cover the slide with leather before hitting the slide with the hammer. If you hit the slide too hard and it sticks in place send me a note and I'll explain how to free the slide.
 
Munkey1973 said:
I don't know how it shoots.. never took it out. I might not ever take it out actually.
I bought it pretty much to engrave it and refurbish the finish with Cerakote (and possibly gold plate some areas ...if I want to also invest in an electroplating system).

Its primarily going to be a display gun. But before I do my work to it, I figure that I have to correct the slop to prevent the frame from grinding away the slide at the front... plus get my grips to sit flat on the receiver.
Click to expand...

Why bother with tightening slide fit if you’re not going to shoot it and only use it as a display gun? Fit the grip and don’t worry if the slide is loose, sounds like a waste of time and money if you don’t intend to use it. For all you know it shoots fine and is fairly accurate as is.
 
My norinco np29 has the same if not more slop, but my norinco np28 is as tight as my tisas 45a1, I think it’s either a hit or miss thing with norincos or just our sloppy 1911s have had the crap beat out of em
 
fightinghamster said:
My norinco np29 has the same if not more slop, but my norinco np28 is as tight as my tisas 45a1, I think it’s either a hit or miss thing with norincos or just our sloppy 1911s have had the crap beat out of em
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At one point I took a close look at two Norinco 1911s, a 9mm and a .45ACP, and honestly they looked like they came out of two totally different companies. I understand that Norinco is more of a national exporter umbrella with a bunch of domestic suppliers feeding into it.
 
if the goal is a display of work... don't have it assembled. easy to pass a slide over to a customer to view the work.... a bit more complicated handing over a functioning firearm.

Also, you don't get to display a firearm easily.. check with your local rules.

I would suggest getting a bunch of parts which can be marked and show off your work.... minimize the frames and actions.

YMMV

Jerry
 
Wilbur1005 said:
The traditional way to tighten a slide on any semi 45 was to slather the rails with valve grinding compound and replace the slide. Gently slam the slide with a sledge hammer and slowly rework the slide until the desired fit is achieved. Worked for me on a Norinco Compact. Of course cover the slide with leather before hitting the slide with the hammer. If you hit the slide too hard and it sticks in place send me a note and I'll explain how to free the slide.
Click to expand...

I just take the slide and put in in my soft jawed 6" Vise and crank er down to where I want it.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone.

I spoke with the one of the good folks at Dlask today, and basically said (paraphrasing here) "since you have a Dominion Arms and you say that you're a reasonably handy guy, then you should slowly try to work the rails yourself."

He said that he would gladly take my money, but that I'd almost certainly end up paying more in gunsmithing than what I paid for the on gun itself.

And yeah, he told he told me his shop rate, anything more than 2.5 hours would be worth more than the cost of the gun.

So..... I guess that I will look around for scrap steel that is approximately 0.111 to 0.112 thick (or spend $60 USD bucks at Brownells and order a 1911 slide fitting bar).

And if I "F it up" .. no big deal, I just want to cosmetically ensure that the frame will not rub against the front of the slide....it will be a display gun after all.

As for the grip screw bushings... I might try to deal with on my own too down the road.
 
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