Tightening the .45 slide
The earlier posting has been closed & I thought it should be mentioned that it is critical not to over tighten the slide whichever method you use.
It is far better to err on the side of caution since if the slide binds it will be very hard to disassemble the gun & FAR harder to loosen it up.
This is also true but to a much lesser extent when fitting a new barrel bushing. In this case the problem only involves getting the
gun apart if the bushing fits too tight in the frame or if the barrel binds on the inside of the bushing.
It is far better to err on the side of caution since if the slide binds it will be very hard to disassemble the gun & FAR harder to loosen it up.
This is also true but to a much lesser extent when fitting a new barrel bushing. In this case the problem only involves getting the
gun apart if the bushing fits too tight in the frame or if the barrel binds on the inside of the bushing.
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You not kidding. Saw one one time some idiot had tightened in a vice. Took a great big rubber mallet and considerable whacking to get the slide off. 0 -
Thanks Gruntled- all the same, I think I am going to try just installing a full length guide rod in addition to a new bushing, 18.5lb spring, and .125 Shock-Buff. She's going to the range this weekend.
If that don't work, I'll try the lead hammer bit.
If THAT don't work- I'm not sure what's next- most likely I'll then put the big squeeze on it.
(IF THAT don't work- Boat Anchor City!)
Well- here's the update-
I wasn't real happy with the tightness after the full length rod was installed, so I went with the lead hammer bit. Worked like a charm! It took about an hour but when I was done, very nice and tight. I also lapped the slide to the frame with a few dabs of machinists' polishing compound- The thing felt like a factory NIB Colt after that!
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Have you tried/considered a Dwyer Group Gripper? Brownells Catalog #55, page 88, item #965-012-000, shown at $27.95. There are a lot of full length recoil spring guides available, but one of my favorites is on the same page, Ed Brown Two-Piece Guide Rod, #087-045-889, $27.50. Naturally, you can't use both items at once. I tighten slides to frames using the precision ground anvil method, but by the time you buy a set and acquire the experience the job is best left to a professional. 0 -
Keep in mind that though a tight, uniform slide/frame fit helps you achieve consistent lockup, it affects accuracy very little. Practically all the accuracy is achieved through barrel/slide fit. 0 -
RockCritter- quote:...in addition to a new bushing...Yup!
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