1911 Refining! On a budget

Magnus

Magnus

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First, the 1911 has ran great since I bought it. Rock island Armory 1911M1A1. Only issue was that they deep fried it in parkerizing. I wanted a shiny barrel. I don’t have 200+ for it so I gave it elbow grease.

Before:

CF1584A1-3106-4EBA-A27D-B01C241A46BD.jpeg

After:
3F455EBE-D5C9-4384-86B5-242D61A23BAA.jpeg

In the Pistol:
EC27C909-3516-457B-8661-393E95820762.jpeg

609F0316-CFAF-4BEF-B270-9111B2E26B52.jpeg

I kept having issues with the Venom Parkerizing on the barrel. The smallest section would restain the whole barrel, so I took as much away as I could by rubbing foil on it. Then I took the polishing wheel to it.
D4AC66D6-1F8B-42AD-820D-2A5AE0322F98.jpeg

Need a new wheel so I focused more on the hood.

8C791E3A-0475-40C7-935A-E9BAC31E1EE4.jpeg

After reassembly and racking the slide, I never realized how much friction I was fighting. Rounds cycle in and out with less effort. I even feel as though it’s tossing the ejected rounds further.

After I get some more wheels I’ll finish the barrel and the rails on the frame.
 
kev74

kev74

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Be careful around the barrel lugs and the end of the barrel near the muzzle. If you screw with the barrel lugs you'll effect the barrel lock-up in the frame. If you polish too much at the end of the barrel, the barrel-bushing fit will be loose. Both of which are bad for accuracy.

Similarly, the tightest frame/slide fit you can get with good reliability is more desirable than shiny rails. If the gun is reliable, I wouldn't touch the rails. Clean and lube should be all they need.
 
Magnus

Magnus

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This one doesn’t come with the standard bushing. It’s internal holding the barrel down and towards the outside. I did move it to see it creeped, for was good.
I’m trying to get minimal friction while it’s functioning.

kev74 said:
Be careful around the barrel lugs and the end of the barrel near the muzzle. If you screw with the barrel lugs you'll effect the barrel lock-up in the frame. If you polish too much at the end of the barrel, the barrel-bushing fit will be loose. Both of which are bad for accuracy.

Similarly, the tightest frame/slide fit you can get with good reliability is more desirable than shiny rails. If the gun is reliable, I wouldn't touch the rails. Clean and lube should be all they need.
Click to expand...
 
kev74

kev74

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Magnus said:
This one doesn’t come with the standard bushing. It’s internal holding the barrel down and towards the outside. I did move it to see it creeped, for was good.
I’m trying to get minimal friction while it’s functioning.
Click to expand...
1911's lock up using the lugs and the end of the barrel, where the bushing usually is. any additional slop you introduce will negatively effect accuracy.

If you're willing to trade accuracy for aesthetics, go for it! Just know what you're getting yourself into.
 
Magnus

Magnus

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kev74 said:
1911's lock up using the lugs and the end of the barrel, where the bushing usually is. any additional slop you introduce will negatively effect accuracy.

If you're willing to trade accuracy for aesthetics, go for it! Just know what you're getting yourself into.
Click to expand...

Next range day if there’s a decline in accuracy or any malfunction, I’ll picture your avatar saying I told you so. I’ve been racking through magazines hoping for some issue, been lucky so far. Only way to see is to fire it.
 
kev74

kev74

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Magnus said:
Next range day if there’s a decline in accuracy or any malfunction, I’ll picture your avatar saying I told you so. I’ve been racking through magazines hoping for some issue, been lucky so far. Only way to see is to fire it.
Click to expand...
It warms my heart to know I'll be haunting you. :ROFL:

What you've done so far looks great and won't effect anything. Be careful around the parts that are involved in locking the barrel to the frame and you'll be in good shape.
 
MuttCat

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I've a RIA 45 in the MS size...commander 4.25 barrel. New gun, haven't had it out yet. I thought it was a pretty good value for the money. The grips though, are the G10 stuff and are very aggressive, very edgy. I'm a wood grip guy so I'll probably change them eventually. Good to hear a positive report on this piece.
 
Magnus

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MuttCat said:
I've a RIA 45 in the MS size...commander 4.25 barrel. New gun, haven't had it out yet. I thought it was a pretty good value for the money. The grips though, are the G10 stuff and are very aggressive, very edgy. I'm a wood grip guy so I'll probably change them eventually. Good to hear a positive report on this piece.
Click to expand...
I switched to wood grips for a bit, but it was just too bulky. I switched back to the stock rubber. For the money, I think the pistol was worth it, it’s never jammed or had an issue.
 
MuttCat

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Hmm...I believe the G10 stocks come in different degrees of "aggressiveness." Might check that out. Just ordered a belt and pancake from Tucker...birthday present for me.
 
Podmonkey

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I had a buddie years ago that claimed being in the dog house was a good thing for him. Said it just meant his wife wouldn't talk to him.
 
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