Which files for these 1911 specific fitting?

[Hank15]

I am doing some basic fitting of components myself, nothing major.

Can you guys advise on the proper type and brand of file to use for the following? Did a quick search and nothing came up.

1) Fitting Trigger

2) Fitting EGW oversized firing pin stop

3) Fitting oversized slide lock

4) Basic dehorn of sharp edges including magazine catch

5) Blending front sight into slide

6) Blending rear of slide


Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[MosinVirus]

Sounds like you need a good flat file with safe side(s) and some needle files.

Outside of some specialty tools, the files I use are regular files. Just not too coarse.

And you will need sandpaper. And you will need to refinish the parts...

[shafferds]

Trigger track stone from brownells.

[CifaldiPrecision]

A mill, then file and then sand paper.




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[mtenenhaus]

one of my favorite go to files is the #2 narrow pillar file with safe sides like this one from Brownells:
360-312-151WB
#2 Cut, XN Pillar File
Mfr Part: 31215

that i use for a lot of the fine work, fitting parts etc. I seem to use is a lot, feels good in the hand.

for the back of the slide a good quality flat or 1/2 round with a flat side seems to work well. A lot depends on how much you have to take off, so i have a couple of these, one more aggressive than the other.

a small triangular file is nice for taking off edges. a friend of mine is an artist, he ground down one edge flat for me and now its steadily becoming one of my favorites as well.

my collection of files seems to be growing exponentially but the above 4 are indispensable to me as i have no mill and do almost everything by hand.

oh yes, and a bunch of stones and different grit sandpaper as mentioned above.

i must admit to occasionally employing a dremel tool and some cheap diamond needle files as well.

i don't seem to use my round files as much as i thought i would...probably just haven't taken the time to learn them.....there are definitely places for them especially on the frame/grip.

[rmnc3r]

Diamonds are a Gunsmith's best friend.

I make frequent use of Eze Lap Hones (5 pc set) as well as their Needle Files in Coarse (250) and Fine (400)
While I have the sets, I make frequent use of their 604 Half Round and 608 Hand File types. Square, Triangular or Round files are handy for occasional needs. Other configurations don't see much use.

Also, I make frequent use of inexpensive Chinese made Diamond Sharpening Stones and Hones as 'files' or for surface finishing (flat areas of the frame for example) and blending chores, finding them more economical and longer lived than abrasive papers.

As another example; the wide flat Eze Lap hones work nicely for dressing and smoothing the sides of the Trigger Shoe Cut out, as well as the Hammer and Sear Channel surfaces. Needle File 608 dresses the Trigger Bow Channel as well as the top and bottom of the trigger shoe channel. 604 Half Round sees use on many areas and is helpful for smoothing out (4"or 6" Half Round) file marks when I blend the rear of the frame to the slide

I even use the extra fine Eze Lap Hone with my Ed Brown Sear Jig for Sear Work. The Hammer Hooks get treatment with a square ceramic stone

Point being - I have found that Diamond Hones and files can find many uses in 1911 work (as well as others) and not just limited to sharpening Knives, Chisels and Milling Cutters.

- addendum -
I typically use Windex cut 50/50 with water as a 'lube' - seldom using the Diamond Stones dry

[mtenenhaus]

i forgot about the EZ lap hones....great suggestion

[Hank15]

Hey guys, picked up some of the suggested tools. Will update with pictures later.

Thanks for the help!