slide to frame fit?
- Thread starter Lead hammer
- Start date
Six 1911's in this household - Ruger, Colt, Remington. Tightest slide to frame fit is on one of the R1's. All have more accuracy potential than I can utilize.
Esthetically, we all like a nice, tight frame/slide fit. Makes us feel good. I recall many Series '70's Colts that rattled when you shook them, but we were able to keep all rds in the 'A' zone at 25m in "single draw & fire" exercises. Cooper used to say that a 1911 that could group consistently into 6" at 25 yds was a good combat gun.
If you think about it, a looser fit means a greater tolerance for grit & grime. Most of us keep our guns clean enough so that a tight fit is not a concern. If you were roiling in the sand box, it might matter.
Esthetically, we all like a nice, tight frame/slide fit. Makes us feel good. I recall many Series '70's Colts that rattled when you shook them, but we were able to keep all rds in the 'A' zone at 25m in "single draw & fire" exercises. Cooper used to say that a 1911 that could group consistently into 6" at 25 yds was a good combat gun.
If you think about it, a looser fit means a greater tolerance for grit & grime. Most of us keep our guns clean enough so that a tight fit is not a concern. If you were roiling in the sand box, it might matter.
What helps accuracy entirely, is how locked the barrel is to the slide from when the hammer hits the primer, to when the bullet leaves the barrel. If at any time during that process there is directional movement of the barrel inside of the slide and bushing, then you've got poorer accuracy than if it was completely snug. Also, if the frame actuates before the bullet leaves the chamber, etc...
This is the main reason why Les Baer and other hand fitted 1911's are much more accurate than production 1911's. The hand finishing process ensures tightest lockup and almost zero movement during the bullet expansion process in the barrel. It's also why I think heavier recoil springs that take longer and more pressure to work, attribute to accuracy more than a good frame/slide fit.
This is the main reason why Les Baer and other hand fitted 1911's are much more accurate than production 1911's. The hand finishing process ensures tightest lockup and almost zero movement during the bullet expansion process in the barrel. It's also why I think heavier recoil springs that take longer and more pressure to work, attribute to accuracy more than a good frame/slide fit.
Thanks for the input guys.
In a gun with the sights mounted to the slide, what matters most for accuracy is the fit while in battery, and the consistency of that fit shot to shot.
The slide to barrel fit can be tight as hell, but if in natural counter recoil, the slide/barrel do not consistently return to the exact same spot, it matters little.
The slide to frame fit can be tight and as slick as glass sheets floating on oil, but if the barrel is not sitting in the lugs and at the muzzle consistently, it matters little.
I get folks looking sideways when they see how loose the X-Calibur is with the slide in it's rearword position.
I tell them to pay more attention to the last 2mm of slide travel and see what's happening.
The slide to barrel fit can be tight as hell, but if in natural counter recoil, the slide/barrel do not consistently return to the exact same spot, it matters little.
The slide to frame fit can be tight and as slick as glass sheets floating on oil, but if the barrel is not sitting in the lugs and at the muzzle consistently, it matters little.
I get folks looking sideways when they see how loose the X-Calibur is with the slide in it's rearword position.
I tell them to pay more attention to the last 2mm of slide travel and see what's happening.
