loose 1911 barrell???
I went to a couple of pawn/gun shops lately and looked at some name brand used 1911's and noticed that when the slide is cocked the barrell can move freely about a quarter inch in any direction.I dont know much about pistols so i'm wondering if this kind of thing is normal or if not what will it take to fix the problem.I found a thompson 1911 with a 6'' compancated barrell and a couple other add-ons,this is on of them with barrell ''play''.they are asking $440 for it, is this a good deal?Thanks in advance for the help.
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Hello the design of a 1911 type pistol is a locked breach rather than a straight blowback system. THe pistol barrel rides in a bushing on the front end and on a link on the back end when the slide is closed this link causes the barrel to move upward into the LOCKING lug grooves in the slide as the gun is fired both the barrel and slide move back together a SHORT ways then the link pulls the barrel down and unlockes the barrel from the slide. On a straight blowback system thebarrel is fixed to the frame and just the slide moves when fired . The differance between a 1911 type for plinking and one for serious target work is how well the parts fit when the slide is closed. 0 -
What Perry said.
When the slide is back, a couple of my finer guns also feel 'loose'.
It all comes down to how well things fit when the gun is ready to fire. Many folks will put their little finger in the barrel and 'wiggle it' (with the slide forward of course), I guess to see how tight it does fit. But even if it is 'loose' when in battery it may perform well enough for you. Or, you may be able to fix that fairly easily by fitting another barrel/bushing. If EVERYTHING ELSE IS PERFECT, and it is a quality brand, consider the buy. You can buy some pretty good 'lifetime shooters' that are good pieces (and new) for the money you are talking about.
If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.0 -
Hey be glad it isn't the same one I used in Army basic training. That pistol sounded like it would rattle apart even with the slide all the way forward. 0 -
Absolutely disregard how much the barrel moves/pivots when the slide is locked in open position, like in last round hold open. When the action is closed, in battery, ready to fire, with a round/or dummy in the chamber, then it matters how much play you would have. This would be the difference between maximum accuracy or less. 0 -
I suggest you look at this, Very informative and eye opening for some experts. It title is "BUYING A USED 1911"
http://usgi1911.tripod.com/used1911/
Good luck out there.0 -
Anyway, the Thompson is NOT considered a quality brand; as the previous owner probably found out, if you're going to customize a .45, start off with a good quality frame. I'd be leary of it. I wouldn't pay > $250-300.
Neal0 -
Hi 39ford,
Yes, the barrel will wiggle about while the slide is locked in the rearward position. What everybody has been trying to say is this is normal for the design of the 1911.
The amount of wiggling has to do with the manufacturing tolerances built into the pistol. Simply and generally stated, the more it wiggles, the less accurate the pistol - the less it wiggles the more accurate. The barrel on my Kimber Gold Match will wiggle a little when the slide is locked back, but when the slide is forward it is locked down tight.
The military 1911 versions were purposely built with "loose" tolerances for reliability. However, for a commercial 1911 it is much cheaper and easier for the manufacturer to build a loose pistol.
The price being asked ($440.00) is probably a fair retail price for what a Thompson 1911 is worth. For about the same money you might also look at a Colt Systema or the 1927 Colt (both 1911s). For slightly more money, (and accuracy/reliability) you might look at Springfield.
Regards,
Heavyiron[8D]
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0
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