1911 Barrel/Bushing clearance?

humourcar

humourcar

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Hi all.
I have a S&W 1911 in 45 ACP and was wondering what the clearance should be between the OD of the barrel and the ID of the barrel bushing.

I measured mine and here's what I get:

barrel OD = 14.72mm / 0.580"
bushing ID = 14.87mm / 0.585"

Just wondering if that amount of clearance is normal and how it will affect the consistency.

Thanks.
 
How does the gun function? Is it accurate in the hands of an experienced shooter? Is it reliable with a range of loads? Most people are incapable of shooting as accurately as a loose GI surplus 1911 is capable of firing. I've never checked the bushing/barrel clearances on my Norc, but I know the bushing is really loose, and I've thought of getting a match bushing installed, but then the gun is still capable of more accuracy than I am, so I spend the money on ammo instead. If there's an issue with accuracy, I'd say your bushing isn't it.
 
my Kimber, SA, Colt has same clearance as yours,
my Nork Commander has a little bit smaller, because I've changed the bushing with one made by Fusion Firearms.
as for shooting no diff at all, but I think 5 thou clearance is standard manuf.
 
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There has to be a small amount of clearance because as the slide comes back, the rear of the barrel swings down. If the fit of the bushing to the barrel was too snug, it would bind part way back.
 
the fit of bush to barrel should be snug when locked up, to mike od/id will give a false impression, the barrel is @ a slight angle to the bush when in battery. if you can wiggel the barrel it's too loose for BE work, but probably fine for service or action sports.
 
Match grade clearance is "less than one thou" which is how you fit a Briley (Messerschmidt type) bushing, but solid bushings usually are lapped into fit and typically would be between 3 and 5 ten-thousandths. In other words it takes a bit of force to push the barrel into the bushing. Five thou is "commercial tolerance".

Dr Jim
 
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