New to 1911's, Need help!

[ianb1116]

So I'm as green as green can get -- call me stupid, but I'm ambitious. This will be my first 1911. I recently purchased a 4140 5" Novak cut slide from PSA with 4140 Carbon Steel Frame (also PSA). To complement these, I bought an Ed Brown Drop-In Barrel Kit from Brownells.

So, I've already got Jerry Kauhnhausen's book but I'm a bit confused when it comes to barrel fitting.

The bushing that came pre-fit to the barrel seems to fit pretty nicely to the PSA slide. However, I feel that the upper lugs on the barrel aren't making great contact with the locking lugs on the slide. To the best of my measurements, the first lug groove of the barrel only sits about 0.02 inches into the PSA slide. From the book, it says it should be at least 0.055 inches. There in lies my problem.

Do I remove material from the lug groove on the barrel or the lug on the slide? If neither of these, what's your plan of best attack?

Also, should I start somewhere else on the gun (like fitting the beavertail, trigger, etc.)?

Thanks!
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[Gunsnwater]

The link lifts the barrel up. If it needs to go deeper you need a longer link.

[ianb1116]

I know the link lifts. However, with frame separated from the slide, I can only push the barrel about .02" into the slide. It looks like not enough barrel/slide lug engagement.

[ianb1116]

Scratch that. Upper lugs fit. I need to take some off the lower lugs.

[gold cup abuser]

use this to get an idea on how to get the lower lugs to fit.


http://www.amazon.com/****m-80300-St.../dp/B0018ACR6G

check 4 times and file once. go slow you should be good to go.

[ianb1116]

use this to get an idea on how to get the lower lugs to fit.


http://www.amazon.com/****m-80300-St.../dp/B0018ACR6G

check 4 times and file once. go slow you should be good to go.

A lot of people have suggested something along those lines. I'm hoping I can get away with some permanent marker, but if I'm not getting the kind of detail I'm looking for I'll definitely use that.

[Gunsnwater]

A lot of people have suggested something along those lines. I'm hoping I can get away with some permanent marker, but if I'm not getting the kind of detail I'm looking for I'll definitely use that.

Use lamp black. A sooty flame. A marker isn't going to work. The bottom lugs hit the frame. How was it you were talking about the upper lugs to slide? You are starting in the deep end of the pool. Not saying you can not do the work but 1911s are not assembly guns like ARs and Glocks. Read Wilson and the kunhanson book and everything you can. That Larry vickers guy actually has a training corse on 1911s where you build one. Don't be afrade to buy the tools they will help you be successful. Paying a smith to fix a botched job will cost more than the tools.

[ianb1116]

So I've mocked up my PSA 1911. I slip on the slide, insert slide stop, etc, rack it, drop the slide anddddd.......it's stuck. By stuck I mean EXTREMELY difficult to pull out of lockup--like bent over, red in the face, cursing difficult. I know you want a tight lock, but MAN, this tight? Barrel link seems to be right, I can slip in the slide lock without a problem. Any suggestions?

I tried the whole candle soot on the barrel lugs trick. It seems as if I'm getting slide/barrel contact on the barrel's forward lug, (toward the muzzle) but little if any elsewhere.

[bjmac]

How are you making out?

[ianb1116]

Just figured I'd update this.

A couple of things. The grip bushing cuts are a little undersized on this frame making it a pain in the ass to get them in. Everything else has fit pretty easily. Now all I have left to do is the dreaded beavertail!