any reason why I can't

[brindlpitt1]

I am currently starting a project on 2 champions . one .45 one .40
the .45 has a barrell bushing the .40 has a bull or coned barrel.
the barrel to slide fit is lose at best
Any reason why I can't chuck it up in the lathe and turn it down so I can use a bushing ?
the barrell shoots well has a tight chamber and isnt a 2 piece it is ramped.
I have access to a lathe free and a new barrell is $150.00 to $200.00
thanks in advance for the help

 

[Jim K]

No reason at all, except that you also have to make the cuts in the slide to match the bushing and there may not be enough room if the existing hole is too large. To see what you need to do, look at the gun with the bushing, and at the slide cuts. You will need a special tool to cut the inside slots.

Jim

 

[brindlpitt1]

Thanks Jim
I dont think the groove in the slide will be that hard .
I have tryed a couple of old bushings I have and they fit ok ( as good as they did in the pistols I took them out of ) so I'll just need to cut the notch,
get a good gunsmith fit bushing and I'll be good to go .
looking at the barrells in my other 1911's it looks as if the barrel should be slightly larger at the end about .300 from the muzzle back then smaller the rest of the way.

 

[Jim K]

The standard "GI" pistol barrel is the same diameter from just ahead of the locking lugs all the way out. But many barrels are made or can be made to have a swell at the muzzle so they can be tightly fitted to the bushing. If the barrel doesn't have a swell, one can be put on simply by turning down the barrel out to about 1/3 inch from the muzzle, and then fitting the bushing to the end. (It doesn't require much removal of metal and shouldn't weaken the barrel. Just setting the barrel up in the lathe and using a file will usually do the job fine.)

In your case, if you use the coned barrel, you will have to take off quite a bit of metal, but keeping a muzzle swell should be no problem, just a matter of careful work.

Jim