slide play

[picasso]

I wanted to buy a springfield armory GI 45, but when I handled and shook it there's a slight slide play. I can even hear it. In other words it's loose. Is this normal? The gun is NIB.

[customizedcreationz]

Some are tighter then others. Depending on how bad the shake is , I would call Springfield.

[coop44]

some play is normal, the tighter the fit, better accuracy. Looser fit, fewer malfunctions. a looser gun will not require much "tuning", really tight fit guns can be a little problematic. Not always but often.

springfield quality control is pretty good, I have a feeling they will tell you it's within specifications.

[Greg-Dawg]

Was it used?

[coop44]

post says nib

[Greg-Dawg]

post says nib

The slide shouldn't be loose if NIB. There's something fishy about that one.

[Black Majik]

It's perfectly fine. Slide tolerances are more lenient on some production 1911s. Springfield's GI, Milspec, Loaded, and most Colts will rattle when shaken.

[coop44]

It's perfectly fine. Slide tolerances are more lenient on some production 1911s. Springfield's GI, Milspec, Loaded, and most Colts will rattle when shaken.

Yep

[tiko]

The rattle ones that I have handle NIB are: Colt, Sig 1911 rev, RIA, Springfield, SW (the least).
The NIB that have zero free play between frame and slide that I have ( still no play after couple thousand rounds thru): Kimber Raptor, Les Baer.
But my SW with some plays is as accurate as my Les Baers or Kimber.

[TMC]

Don't worry about it, slide play won't effect accuracy with iron sights

[sholling]

Slide play is normal and makes for a more reliable weapon. What effects accuracy the most is barrel to bushing fit and barrel to slide lockup. That relationship is critical to accuracy. Slide to frame fit is just icing on the cake. After all your sights are on the slide not the frame.

However if I were you I'd save up another $100 for a Mil-Spec. It's just a better pistol than the GI.

[B Strong]

I wanted to buy a springfield armory GI 45, but when I handled and shook it there's a slight slide play. I can even hear it. In other words it's loose. Is this normal? The gun is NIB.

All GI spec 1911 type pistols will "rattle" - it's completely normal.

[picasso]

Thank you for all the replies/opinions. Now you got me thinking of the mil spec.

[mds2004]

My Sig P226 slide rattles and it is still crazy accurate. You will be fine!

[JTROKS]

The barrel locks into the slide and with iron sights you'll be fine and should get adequate combat accuracy. I have a 1911 with a loose slide to frame fit, but it will give 2" groups at 25 yards when benched. I know it's annoying hearing and feeling a rattly slide-frame fit, but as long as the barrel is fitted correctly it's all good, since the difference in accuracy compared to a match fit slide-frame fit will be minimal. Well, as long as you don't need the extra 15% of accuracy it should be fine.