My 1911 getting tacticool.

[pontiacpratt]

Before:

I got an used A-O GI "WWII" replica for cheap. The front sight was loose and the barrel was poorly cut. I've re-staked the front sight and salvaged another barrel off a pile of parts my buddy had that once was an A-O 1911.
After:

I just bought some new RAASCO "Desert Stripewood" grips for it and I gotta say I like them. The checkering is a lot more aggressive than the stock wood. I also bought a new Wolff 16.5lb recoil spring (the gun is 7 years old with an unknown round count) and a new 8 round Mec-Gar mag. The comp was with the gun when I bought it put it on for the photo-op to make it more "Tacti-cool" Have yet to notice a difference in muzzle rise with it.
I'm becoming a follower of the church of 1911. They are an easy shooting gun. I'm thinking a RIA compact for carry now. lol

[littlejake]

Did you just stick that barrel in there; or did you "fit" it to the gun? Even with modern manufacturing methods many 1911 parts are not drop-ins. The barrel fit is critical to function and safety.

[KandyRedCoi]

nice turnout...

[pontiacpratt]

Did you just stick that barrel in there; or did you "fit" it to the gun? Even with modern manufacturing methods many 1911 parts are not drop-ins. The barrel fit is critical to function and safety.

I just put the barrel in the gun. I did a Google search on fitment and three different sights said to push on the barrel through the ejection port and as long as it doesn't move your good. I've run probably 100 rounds through it and I see no noticeable increase in wear on the lugs on the barrel and slide. If there is another way to check fitment I'll give it a check. This is my first 1911 so any help is welcome. This is a low end 1911 so there is some lateral movement to the slide assembly, which I read is normal and does not effect accuracy. I'm getting some nice groups with it, so I'm guessing everything is well.

[pontiacpratt]

A picture of the old barrel. The tool marks are horrible.

[littlejake]

That is an ugly barrel.

I think everyone who wants to work on 1911s should have a copy of Colt .45 Automatic: A Shop Manual by Kuhnhausen. It's out of print now. If you find a copy, buy it.

[pontiacpratt]

New barrel.

[MrExel17]

Looks good, thanks for sharing!

[cwin]

Very nice!

[Hobbyist]

Kuhnhausen's books are well worth getting - especially volume 1. They are still in print. Both volumes of the 1911 manual are available at MidwayUSA and Brownell's. Or, you can get them direct from the publisher, Heritage Gun Books at http://www.gunbooks.com/