1911 barrel minor fitting-tools?

[CalNRA]

So I just ordered an Essex barrel for an SA GI 1911, which I was told that the only work needed was to remove a little material from the top lug to make the barrel fit the factory slide. What size file and additional tool would I need for this job? I'm not in a hurry, just wanted to work it as a project on this gun.

Thanks.

[xxdabroxx]

First off, its not that easy.

You do have to ensure that you have adequate contact at the locking lugs.
You also have to fit the barrel hood to the breach face
Fit the barrel bushing to barrel and slide, i know you have a new one coming right?
Your also going to need to shape the bottom lugs of the barrel to fit the link/ slide stop correctly.
You need to make sure that the throat matches up correctly with the feed ramp.
Prob. going to have to do a little work on the throat to ensure proper feeding.
I believe the rear face of the bottom lugs needs to be addressed somewhat as well.

You have a lot of reading to do, start with Jerry Kuhnhausen's first book. After reading that you may decide to send it to a competent smith for the work. 1911 and drop in usually do not follow one another.

Being that your talking about an Essex barrel, they may be undersized and sloppy, thus negating a lot of what i said. But, if that is the case why bother with replacing the barrel?

[CalNRA]

You do have to ensure that you have adequate contact at the locking lugs.
You also have to fit the barrel hood to the breach face

I have a few books on 1911s and ordering Kuhnhausen's right now.

Fit the barrel bushing to barrel and slide, i know you have a new one coming right?

already have an oversized EGW bushing waiting.

Your also going to need to shape the bottom lugs of the barrel to fit the link/ slide stop correctly.
You need to make sure that the throat matches up correctly with the feed ramp.

that will be on the list, thanks.

Prob. going to have to do a little work on the throat to ensure proper feeding.

I have the original barrel as a guide line. Have dremel and bits, will take my time. plus this will be a strictly ball ammo gun so I don't have to be too picky, plus the original barrel feeds everything like a champ so it's a good reference point

You have a lot of reading to do, start with Jerry Kuhnhausen's first book. After reading that you may decide to send it to a competent smith for the work. 1911 and drop in usually do not follow one another.

a competent smith is easier said than done. I am in the Bay Area and seems like every time some asks about a 1911 smith the suggestion is always Jardin, etc who have looooooong waiting lists. Everyone always says "be prepared to wait". I have other really accurate tools so I am not really motivated to go a smith who is already super busy.

Being that your talking about an Essex barrel, they may be undersized and sloppy, thus negating a lot of what i said. But, if that is the case why bother with replacing the barrel?

you are correct. I bought a 60 dollar barrel as a learning barrel to start on. I am eventually gonna turn my GI into a target gun so I am starting on a cheap barrel. I don't have the cash right now to spend on a 200 dollar barrel to experiment with

[xxdabroxx]

Cool, sounds like you are on the right track. If you are very, i repeat VERY technical, go ahead and get Jerry's second book as well.

The first book walks you through the gun from the beginning. He starts off with a detail strip and reassembly/ blueprinting. Tells you how to correctly check every part for fit and function. I need to read it about 3 more times before i will feel like i understand the inner workings, then i want to get a commander size RIA or other inexpensive/ sloppy gun to start with. I am a learn by doing/ not learn by reading type of guy.

Another thing, if your into torrents search 1911 on BTJunkie, but i did not say that. (Endless info, including Wilson & AGI) But i did not say that, you enter at your own risk.

[CalNRA]

Cool, sounds like you are on the right track. If you are very, i repeat VERY technical, go ahead and get Jerry's second book as well.

thank you for the pointers.

The first book walks you through the gun from the beginning. He starts off with a detail strip and reassembly/ blueprinting. Tells you how to correctly check every part for fit and function. I need to read it about 3 more times before i will feel like i understand the inner workings, then i want to get a commander size RIA or other inexpensive/ sloppy gun to start with. I am a learn by doing/ not learn by reading type of guy.

same here. I cannot digest too much info at once but if I follow the example and tinker with it I usually get it after a while. The SA GI is a great base gun to start on, especially since I got it a few years ago for only 460. The frame and slide fit is a tiny bit loose so good enough for a learning gun.

[xxdabroxx]

squeeze the slide and peen the frame.

[ojisan]

So I just ordered an Essex barrel for an SA GI 1911, which I was told that the only work needed was to remove a little material from the top lug to make the barrel fit the factory slide. What size file and additional tool would I need for this job? I'm not in a hurry, just wanted to work it as a project on this gun. Thanks.

A set of jeweler's files is a must have item.

[xxdabroxx]

a good vice, maybe a piece of leather too. Probably I suppose you could use a new round as a headspace gauge. You may need a chamber reamer depending on how deep the chamber is now and how much material is removed.