1911 not going into battery

I've never heard of a true "drop in" replacement barrel for a 1911..
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Maybe because you never worked in an Army Forward Support Company.

I can tell you with absolute certainly that GI barrels, (and virtually all other parts) when replaced were "drop in fit". No work was done And I would be surprised if any ever was. If, in the RARE case a part did not drop in fit AND work, it was tossed and another part (that would fit and work) was installed.

And it worked that way with all the other weapons, as well. The only time any work was done to fit a part, in any of the shops I worked in was literally when there were no other parts available (which sometimes happened with the mortars).

This is probably a bit of an overstatement, as I'm sure a repairman or three would take a few file strokes or stone something, did it myself, but in general, parts were not fitted. It went in the gun, and the gun passed its function check, and went out the door when the customer unit picked it up.

Needing to fit a barrel to a 1911 in order to have it work comes from the over tight match gun mentality prevailing in the civilian world today.
 
44 AMP said:
Maybe because you never worked in an Army Forward Support Company.

I can tell you with absolute certainly that GI barrels, (and virtually all other parts) when replaced were "drop in fit". No work was done And I would be surprised if any ever was. If, in the RARE case a part did not drop in fit AND work, it was tossed and another part (that would fit and work) was installed.

And it worked that way with all the other weapons, as well. The only time any work was done to fit a part, in any of the shops I worked in was literally when there were no other parts available (which sometimes happened with the mortars).

This is probably a bit of an overstatement, as I'm sure a repairman or three would take a few file strokes or stone something, did it myself, but in general, parts were not fitted. It went in the gun, and the gun passed its function check, and went out the door when the customer unit picked it up.

Needing to fit a barrel to a 1911 in order to have it work comes from the over tight match gun mentality prevailing in the civilian world today.
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Thanks for clarifying that entirely unrelated factoid which has zero bearing on the subject at hand, relating to a barrel he purchased (presumably without the benefit of a time machine and some forged requisition paperwork) from an actual current supplier of 1911 gun barrels.
 
Thanks for clarifying that entirely unrelated factoid which has zero bearing on the subject at hand,
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You're welcome!:rolleyes:

armscor barrel for my ria fs tactical 1911
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OP asks why they don't fit and work

I'm saying that for the 70odd year history of the M1911 in US service, aside from specially tuned match pistols, they were ALL drop in fit barrels. And in the civilian world, barrels for the Government model were expected to drop in and work for a long time, as well.

I'd say that record, spanning multiple generations of shooters created an expectation that parts should drop in and work, in everything that has 1911 in its name, and that hasn't been the case for some time.

If I buy a stock replacement barrel for a Govt Model, I would expect it to drop in fit and function in a 1943 M1911A1. I would expect the same in a 1918 1911, or a 1960s era Govt model. I would not expect that same barrel to be a drop in fit in my son's SW1911PD. Or a Ruger 1911, or a Sig 1911 or a 1911 from any of the many other makers currently on the market.

There are only two reasons why a barrel would not be a drop in fit. Either the gun or the barrel are out of spec, OR they are in spec and the specs used by the individual makers are incompatible. Which I believe is why the OP is having a problem. And therefor relevant.

Any and all advice on what could cause will be helpful
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I gave advice on what could cause it.

Advice on how to fix it would be 1) return part to maker for replacement (possibly not an option, if maker advises "fitting required").
2) take it to a recognized professional, and pay to have the work done, with the expectation that it will be done right, and will last, or
3) get out your dremel, stones, files and chainsaw and do it yourself, because "its easy, Utube shows you how". :rolleyes:
(please note the intentional sarcasm in the last sentence)
 
Wait.

The OP never clarified if the barrel fit into the slide by itself (or with bushing) with proper engagement of the lugs to the slide recess, or if it got stuck.

"I put the barrel in the slide...definitely some movement of the barrel in the slide recess"

- That doesn't scream out to me that the barrel was "stuck" when trying to install it alone without the frame involved. All barrels will wiggle around in a removed slide even with the barrel bushing installed.

If he has been filing on upper barrel lugs and slide recess on a barrel that was able to come forward fully, that would make the "movement" more prominent. Maybe a trip to the friendly local 'smith is in order? Or more reading about 1911's.
 
44 AMP said:
You're welcome!:rolleyes:


OP asks why they don't fit and work

I'm saying that for the 70odd year history of the M1911 in US service, aside from specially tuned match pistols, they were ALL drop in fit barrels. And in the civilian world, barrels for the Government model were expected to drop in and work for a long time, as well.

I'd say that record, spanning multiple generations of shooters created an expectation that parts should drop in and work, in everything that has 1911 in its name, and that hasn't been the case for some time.

If I buy a stock replacement barrel for a Govt Model, I would expect it to drop in fit and function in a 1943 M1911A1. I would expect the same in a 1918 1911, or a 1960s era Govt model. I would not expect that same barrel to be a drop in fit in my son's SW1911PD. Or a Ruger 1911, or a Sig 1911 or a 1911 from any of the many other makers currently on the market.

There are only two reasons why a barrel would not be a drop in fit. Either the gun or the barrel are out of spec, OR they are in spec and the specs used by the individual makers are incompatible. Which I believe is why the OP is having a problem. And therefor relevant.


I gave advice on what could cause it.

Advice on how to fix it would be 1) return part to maker for replacement (possibly not an option, if maker advises "fitting required").
2) take it to a recognized professional, and pay to have the work done, with the expectation that it will be done right, and will last, or
3) get out your dremel, stones, files and chainsaw and do it yourself, because "its easy, Utube shows you how". :rolleyes:
(please note the intentional sarcasm in the last sentence)
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Perhaps you could suggest a current barrel manufacturer who offers true drop in barrels which don't carry the "some fitting may be required" caveat...seems like that would be easily helpful, and since it's so common, it should be an easy boon to provide.
 
I don't know who makes them, but for ages the Gun Parts Corp (aka Numrich Arms) and Sarco have sold replacement GI barrels. I would expect one of them to be a no fit needed barrel in a GI spec gun.

I believe the custom barrel makers intentionally make them oversize with the instructions that they need to be fitted to your gun.
 
Hi, Polyphemus,

I may keep saying that, but apparently the makers of "1911 type" pistols and parts keep thinking exactly that. I simply refuse to use the term "Model 1911" or "Model 1911A1" for non-Colt/non-GI guns; I call them "1911 type guns", which is a better description.

Jim
 
Finally got the barrel fitted and slide goes into battery with no resistance now. The rearmost upper lug on the barrel had to filed down enough to allow the forward lug to actually fit into the slide recesses. Had to replace the link with a #3 link as the one it came with was too short. Going to test fire this weekend at the range and will update with results
 
1911/battery

Glad to hear you got it all straightened out. Sometimes, it is something easy to fix. Next time you'll know where to start should a similar problem arise with another new barrel.
I've been there with a few new barrels myself. Didn't take but a couple to learn what to look for. Good luck with the next one.

WILL.
 
44 AMP said:
I don't know who makes them, but for ages the Gun Parts Corp (aka Numrich Arms) and Sarco have sold replacement GI barrels. I would expect one of them to be a no fit needed barrel in a GI spec gun.

I believe the custom barrel makers intentionally make them oversize with the instructions that they need to be fitted to your gun.
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"Drop In" parts and 1911 means drop in to a gun smith.
Sarco sells unmarked RIA parts as "GI" they don't drop in to anything and need fitting.

Don't believe me - look into building your own 1911. It's a total PITA as every part needs hand fitting.
 
Many moons ago, when I was just a young warrior armed with wrenches, screwdrivers and enough knowledge to get myself in trouble, I thought I could fix most things that went wrong with car engines. One day my car engine had a problem, which I thought I could fix. Several days later it cost me twice as much to have a real mechanic fix it after I broke more than I fixed. I learned my lesson.

I carried that lesson over to my adult years. I'm pretty good with fixing guns, changing "drop in" parts, etc. However, when there is a problem that takes more than the screwdriver or hammer to fix, I bring it to my gunsmith who is a 1911 genius. I have even had him to my house to "supervise" and guide me thru some of the work I have attempted. Worked out fine under his guidance but don't think I would attempt it alone.

I am envious of those that have a talent to work with their hands...gunsmiths, artists, musicians, etc. Hope you get your problem solved...and very interesting reading all the knowledgable responses. By the way, if you don't have "The Colt .45 Automatic, A Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen, by all means pick one up.
 
Thanks for all the help. Had to get a few range trips in to make sure everything was functioning properly but everything works now. VIS is showing pretty even contact with the barrel lugs and haven't had any FTFs or FTEs
 
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