Answer

There is no spec. to the gap between the barrel and the frame where you indicate. Actually there probably is but since there are a hundred different companies making 1911’s and none of them are the same welcome to learning to be a gunsmith. We have no spec. here AS LONG AS THE BARREL DOES NOT HIT AND STOP HERE. THERE MUST BE A GAP OF SOME KIND. If there is no gap then this is where the barrel is stopping when it unlocks and you will get a gun that breaks the following: links, link pins, and slide stops. The customer will tell you the gun recoils heavier than other 1911’s as well. The barrel must stop on the lug where you indicate. I don’t know where you get the 1/32 spec. for the barrel ramp as this will vary depending on the gap between the barrel and the frame. You will NEED a jump from the frame ramp to the barrel ramp, and the distance from the frame ramp to the barrel ramp is one and a half time the distance between the barrel and frame at the barrel bed. If this distance is incorrect you will get a jam occasionally and some shooters will get that gun to jam almost every shot. When fitting the barrel and I have it locking up correctly I will fit the barrel bed part of the frame. That way the barrel will not be weakened by thinning it at the chamber area. Do you have the AGI professional series? Dunlap COVERS the 1911 VERY well. Ken

Reply:

Thanks Ken. I most likely didn’t explain myself correctly on the 1/32 part. I understand that there must be a distance between barrel feed ramp and the top of the mag well (meaning the frame) so the round can jump and anything less then 1/32 could possibly cause the bullet tip to hit the feed ramp and jam. The link down movement/timing seems fine and the lugs are contacting where they should. I just noticed two very, very, small and light tiny shiny lines on the bottom of the barrel. Light contact with the frame? Recoil seems fine and not heavy. Yes I do have the 45 videos, need to get them converted to DVD because the FF/RW is a little time consuming.

Thanks for your info.

Answer:

Good, it sounds like you are on the right track. I would make sure that the gun will allow the slide stop to swing freely when there is tension off of it like Bob shows. If the small shiny spots bother you can take them out. Remove slight metal on the barrel seat in the frame. Before you do that though put some lipstick on the bottom of the barrel there and check it in the gun to see how much contact you actually have.