Gunsmiths: Compound Technique In 1911

Since World War II, Gunsmiths have; repaired, engraved and customized the amazing world -wide known Colt Model 1911 .45 semi-automatic pistol. Gunsmiths have been able to produce very precise 1911 pistols for Bullseye competitions. This is an art of delivering a pistol with superior performance through a ton of attention to detail. As a future Gunsmith, I know that even the least significant detail matters. This level of precision requires using superior components, as accuracy is the critical component of all firearms.
In this course I, learned that accurizing, is a process of creating not only a more precise, but also a more comfortable weapon for shooters. Accurizing the Colt 1911 can be achieved through several methods. Of all the weapons
Every shooter knows that the central component of any weapon is the barrel. Although, the factory pistol has a good barrel, it’s not as precise as a premium barrel that’s custom fitted. A factory barrel is also non-ramped, which will cause feeding and reliability problems specifically with hollow-points or wad-cutters. A gunsmith can customize a 1911 with a ramped barrel.
These more precise barrels are made with an integrated feed-ramp, that requires; extra trimming of the frame for the ramp and special hand fitting. Hand-fitting the precision barrel to the frame will require hours and maybe even days depending on tools used. While customizing the barrel the Gunsmith will need to install a new bushing as this will ensure greater barrel harmonics. Combining these two will produce a better spin of the projectile. Since a bushing is designed with very tight tolerances, it needs to be fitted to handle the new
When installing the trigger, it’s important to have a proper grip as the combination will offer increased comfort and accuracy. One of the most important parts on the 1911 that I, believe will need the most accurizing is not just the trigger, but the hoods and lugs on the barrel. Since match grade barrels often have long hoods which offer proper fitting to the slide. The hoods are wider than the recess in the slide.
My understanding is that this may require the Gunsmith to use files to shorten the hoods, after measuring the breech face and finding out how much the barrel is overlapping. I, believe that this can be accomplished by using a gauge pin measurement as well as measuring the barrel overlapping area. I, will need to know the controlled dimension of the breech-face opening and deduct the measurement of the excess hood length. This will keep the barrel in place and prevents it from moving side to side. To conduct removal of the excess, I have seen both a file as well as milling