The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Lapping stainless 1911 slide and frame, how loose?

Hunter Customs · May 16, 2013, 08:10 AM

Dixie Gunsmithing gave you a very good answer.

Here's what I do when fitting a Caspian frame and slide (or any slide and frame), I machine the frame rails on my mill to a very close slip fit (.0005 usually works well), then hand lapp the slide and frame with several different grits of lapping compound cleaning the rails between grits, the last compound used is a 1200 grit.

Then I clean the slide and frame thoroughly, lubricate the rails with Gunslick graphite grease, work the slide on the frame as though I'm lapping it.
After the grease is worked in good, with the slide on the frame I tilt the frame and slide at a 45 degree angle with the muzzle end of the slide pointed up, the slide should cylce to the rear under it's own weight moving as though it's on ball bearings.

I keep all my 1911 frame and slide rails lubed with Gunslick grease and have never had a galling problem.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

May 16, 2013, 08:10 AM	#5
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Dixie Gunsmithing gave you a very good answer. Here's what I do when fitting a Caspian frame and slide (or any slide and frame), I machine the frame rails on my mill to a very close slip fit (.0005 usually works well), then hand lapp the slide and frame with several different grits of lapping compound cleaning the rails between grits, the last compound used is a 1200 grit. Then I clean the slide and frame thoroughly, lubricate the rails with Gunslick graphite grease, work the slide on the frame as though I'm lapping it. After the grease is worked in good, with the slide on the frame I tilt the frame and slide at a 45 degree angle with the muzzle end of the slide pointed up, the slide should cylce to the rear under it's own weight moving as though it's on ball bearings. I keep all my 1911 frame and slide rails lubed with Gunslick grease and have never had a galling problem. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com