Fitting barrel/bushing to 1911?

Wee Hooker · Nov 28, 2010

I've got a pair of S&W 1911's from the early days of production . One is pretty stock and the other wears a Marvel .22 conversion. This leaves me with a extra 1911 slide. I now have the opportunity to buy a barrel&bushing combo with comp for short $. Not sure I "need" or even"want" a comp'd .45 but the idea is giving me an itch.

So can I assume some fitting of the bushing to frame will be required?
If so, what kind of tools /time/process is involved for a do-it-at home project?
I'm pretty good with triggers/revolvers but never messed with modifying 1911's much.

Thanks in advance!

WR Moore · Nov 29, 2010

How much fitting may be necessary may vary according to manufacturer and if it's pristine.

You don't fit the bushing to the frame, but to the slide. In most cases, a file will do. If the barrel is machined as a drop in unit, shouldn't be much of a problem.

If the barrel is a true oversize match grade barrel, the barrel hood will have to be fitted to allow the barrel to rise to lock into the slide lugs and the underlug will have to be shaped to the slide stop to establish centering of the barrel to the breech, locking lug engagement and operating clearance to the slide stop. In short, you don't want to try this at home, the cost of a mistake can well be the price of a barrel. Fitting requires specialized tooling (although it can be done with a couple of files) and experience . When I used to do this, I had jigs to assist in the measurements and fitting and cut the barrel hood length on a lathe and the lug height with a special tool.

handgunner356 · Nov 29, 2010

You also want to be sure the barrel was not already fitted to a different gun. It's much easier to file off the excess than to add it on.

Wee Hooker · Nov 29, 2010

Thanks Gents and pardon the slip of terms. I of course knew the bushing fits into the slide.

The slide/barrel is new and I don't believe it's match grade. He only paid $135 for it with comp and their is no well recognized name attached.
I already have other "target" 1911's so the match grade is not an issue. Mainly thinking of a plate and pin blaster for inside of 10 yards.

Fitting barrel/bushing to 1911?

Wee Hooker

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WR Moore

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handgunner356

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Wee Hooker

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