“Tag: Gunsmithing”

Though it may offer little to a 1911's accuracy or aesthetics, the silky-smooth, wobble-free aspects of a well-fitting frame and slide lessens wear and tear on a 1911, while serving as one of the hallmarks of a quality build.

Great gunsmithing minds think alike, or at least that's what I discovered while speaking with one of the knowledgeable folks at Caspian Arms, who as luck would have it, did more than share the dislike for lapping compound when fitting a 1911 frame and slide.

If you had the option of installing an accessory on your 1911 that provided ergonomic benefits, like improving its balance and your comfort while simultaneously lessening felt recoil once lead starts going downrange, why wouldn't you?

When it comes to fitting a beavertail, aligning the holes that allow the grip safety to interface with the frame is only part of the process. The next phase involves cutting and polishing the recontoured tangs with the safety by rubbing (or lapping) the parts together, which results in two surfaces evolving toward a common shape.

After roughing out the tangs, recontouring them and lapping the beavertail, at last you can finally slip your thumb safety of choice into place. All that remains is to function test its travel by moving it into the engaged/disengaged positions, right? Well, maybe not.

In the exercise of tedium involved in fitting beavertail grip safety to a 1911, and in addition to being the final step in the process, it's also the easiest.

It's been said the road of life and success is beset with challenges and obstacles. As if building a 1911 isn't enough of a challenge, what do you do when the pot holes are of your own making?

Unlike installing a beavertail grip safety or slide-to-frame fit, installing a barrel can have a crucial affect on your 1911's performance, and not solely in terms of its accuracy, but potentially impacting your pistol's reliability as well.

Hoods...They pertain to more than just Sweatshirts.