1911 slide to frame fit
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:27 pm
Everybody needs to build at least one 1911 but the first stumper along that path is how to figure out how narrow to cut the frame's rails. To do that, it seems a good idea to be able to find the width of the slide's channels. The problem with that is, how do we get an interior measurement of the width of the slide channels? We can buy some expensive tools to do that measurement, or we can go for the cheaper option. I use a 3/32 drill bit that is slightly under .094 inches. I put the drill bit into the slide channel and make two measurements. One for the width of the slide and one measurement of the slide width plus the pin width as in:
The depth of the channel is then simple to find.
You need to measure both channel depths and the separation between the interior of the slide. Add the depths to the distance between each side of the slide to guess the width between the channels. Make several measurements along the length of the slide to find the narrowest spot in the slide. Be certain to measure carefully and overestimate the width of frame rails. Then incrementally remove material from the frame's rails as needed to inch the slide onto the frame.
If you are patient you can end up with a good slide to frame fit:
This one has no horizontal or vertical slop but moves forwards and backwards like it is on butter.
The depth of the channel is then simple to find.
You need to measure both channel depths and the separation between the interior of the slide. Add the depths to the distance between each side of the slide to guess the width between the channels. Make several measurements along the length of the slide to find the narrowest spot in the slide. Be certain to measure carefully and overestimate the width of frame rails. Then incrementally remove material from the frame's rails as needed to inch the slide onto the frame.
If you are patient you can end up with a good slide to frame fit:
This one has no horizontal or vertical slop but moves forwards and backwards like it is on butter.