Need Help With A OVERSIZE Barrel Bushing

[powhs]

I found a oversize barrel bushing for my Colt Commander today at a local gun shop. Is there a procedure to fit it to the gun using regular hand tools or should I ship it to a gunsmith. (No gun smiths are near me)

[Kmrere42]

Hi,


Perhaps I can help a little. Where is the bushing oversize? Can you put the bushing into the slide or are both the inside and outside of the bushing in need of work/fitting.




Paul

[Castaway]

I've lapped them down with a green scouring pad before, both inside and out.  Takes a while, but you don't have to worry about taking off too much metal.  I stopped when I got it to the point I need a barrel bushing wrench to out on or take off.  Take the inside off to the point the barrel slides smoothly back and forth dry.  The barrel may take a pass or two to smooth it up, but not much.  You're trying to polish it, not relieve it.

[powhs]

The bushing is smaller than the barrel. I have a Digital Caliper and am wondering how much gap should be left between the barrel and bushing.

[Kmrere42]

Hi,


The inside fit between the barrel bushing should be about .001" Its a very close but not binding fit.  The outside of the bushing to the slide needs to be a light hand press fit. 


Depending on the amount of material that needs to be removed, a lathe may be needed.  However If you can, use a 2" long 5/8" dowel and a drill that has a large enough chuck.  Mark 1" and using a file while turning the dowel reduce the diameter to about 1/2".  Flip the dowel and reduce the other end with fine sandpaper so that it is a tight press fit into the large end of the bushing.  Insert the small end first and push it through the bushing so that the 1/2" end is on the same side as the bushing flange.  Now you can chuck the dowel and bushing assembly  back into the drill and work with it.  Using emery cloth or similar sandpaper start with 1/2" wide strips and work the outside of the bushing down to a light press fit into the slide.

The inside of the bushing is done by taking a piece of 1/2" dowel and cutting a slit into the end and placing short strips of sandpaper into the slit and rotating it in the drill while passing the bushing over it.  Start with about a 220 grit and work to a 600 grit for the final polish.


It takes time but your accuracy boost will be worth it.




Paul
 

[powhs]

Wow that it clever. Thanks for the tip.

[powhs]

Well I fit the bushing to the barrel and slide today . Got the fit pretty tight. I have to use a barrel wrench to place it in the slide. The bushing is about .002" lager than the barrel. A lot tighter than the factory one.  When I shoot it the first shot is always bulls eye. Then it will shoot to the right high or low by about six inches.  I end up with a 12 inch group. Any ideas.

[Kmrere42]

HI,

Sounds like inconsistent lockup in the back end.  What type of load are you using and what is the weight of the recoil spring.


While it  is not good for a permanent fix, can you get a #13 link. Also check the fit of the lugs to the slide release pin.  Try that otherwise you might need to get a replacement barrel.


Paul

[powhs]

The recoil spring is heaver than the factory one but I don't remember it's weight. The ammo is Winchester 230 rn ball white box.
I had two of these guns purchased back around 1979. Nether one has ever been accurate. If I replaced the barrel would it need to be fitted to be accurate? I looked at barrels online and there are so many to chose from. When I worked for the Marine Corps test fireing Gov. 45's we tested them on a Ransom handgun rest at 15 yards. Some would shoot a raged hole but most shot like a shotgun.

[Kmrere42]

Hi,


I have purchased barrels from several sources, The best for the money seems to be the Roto 4m barrel from sarco Inc.  I have one installed in my Springfield MilSpec 45.  If I do my part with the trigger I can keep 10 shots in the black of a 50ft B2 target.  I did nothing to the back end and have now .003" clearance at the bushing.  The barrel has a tight bore and I installed a #13 link.  If you do get one, Please understand for $40. the outside may not look perfect and there will be very light circumferential rings inside where the rear body was sleeved over the barrel.  It does shoot very well. 


Check the fit of the lower lugs to the slide stop pin. I think that should be the next step.




Paul

[powhs]

I purchased a Fusion drop in barrel with link and bushing on Gunbroker.com for under $100 bucks. It now works great. The gun shoots better than me. I am very happy with this set up.

[powhs]

I also rented a 1911 gunsmithing DVD from smartflix.com which explained a lot about improveing the 1911.