Question for 1911 Tuner...

[Ridgerunner665]

How much "play" should there be in the bushing on a 1911?

I have one that the bushing seems a tad sloppy in the slide...this is with no barrel in it. I can take my finger and wiggle it...by the feet that hold the plug. It kinda wiggles up and down...

I just noticed this the other day, it shoots fine, its accurate...it seemed a bit too loose but I'm no expert on 1911 fit specs.

 

[1911Tuner]

Some of'em can be pretty loose in the slide. USGI spec allowed for a lot more play there than many people who are accustomed to recent factory bushings are comfortable with.

Use a caliper to measure the slide bore diameter and the bushing OD and see what you've got. While I don't like bushings so tight that I need a wrench to turn'em, I don't like to see'em rock, either. For my money...on anything except a Bullseye gun...I like to see the bushing a little too snug to finger turn with the slide in full battery, but will turn with just a little effort with the slide backed up about a half-inch. About a thousandth or so clearance between slide and bushing. Of course, that's just me. Others may prefer a different set of parameters, and don't mind using a wrench.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Slide bore is .703"

Bushing OD is .702"

The play is in the groove the bushing locks into...it has front to back movement. (I know I said up and down up there, but upon further and closer inspection it is front to back movement)

The bushing is easy to turn by hand with the slide out of battery...but its tough even with a wrench if its in battery (this is my Baer were talking about)

I guess maybe its been that way all along...I just never noticed it.


Many thanks for the help...

 

[1911Tuner]

but upon further and closer inspection it is front to back movement)

Maybe a little play between the bushing's lug and the raceway it runs in. A tiny bit of back and forth won't really hurt anything, but it is a little...odd...on a high-end gun like a Baer.

How much end-play is there?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I don't have any good way to get an accurate measurement...scratch that, I have a feeler gauge somewhere...give me a few.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

OK...without the barrel in the bushing its .003"

With the barrel in it....it is 0 (tight, no perceptible movement)

 

[1911Tuner]

Yeh. .003 is good. I thought we were talkin' major endplay.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Just out of curiousity...how much would be too much?


LOL..."major endplay"

I'm not used to seeing loose fitting parts on a Baer, I guess I panicked a bit.

 

[1911Tuner]

Oh...I'd say that .010 would be a bit excessive for my tastes. Seriously, though, .003-.005 is acceptable.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Thanks for the help.