Loose barrel link Pin Star B

OBIWAN · November 9, 2005, 12:41 PM

Subject line says it all

I am not real happy with it being able to fall out

How might one secure the little beast?

**Unclenick** · November 9, 2005, 02:08 PM

If the hole in the link is larger than the ones in the lugs, you can go to an oversize pin. An alternate solution is to use a threadlocker on the pin; at least at one end. Loctite Nu-Metal is a gap filling anaerobic methacrylic design to retain loose fitting bearing races in worn recesses. It has aluminum flakes to help fill the gap. If you use it, it would require heat softening to get the pin loose again in the future.

I've had at least one 1911 barrel (a Colt N.M. barrel, actually) that didn't hug the link pin. It can't get loose when the gun is assembled because the sides of the frame surround it. It shot extremely well. Having it fall out during field stripping was the only risk. I assume the same it true of the Star?

Nick

James K · November 9, 2005, 02:10 PM

Assuming it is a snug fit (and the correct pin), just stake it.

Jim

**Unclenick** · November 9, 2005, 02:32 PM

I don't know the Star specifically, but my collection of link pins are all heat treated. I actually use an automatic center punch to drive them in and out, and it leaves no significant indentation. Upsetting such a pin would be problematic.

Brownells sells a couple of sizes. If the link hole is large enough, this is the cleanest approach.

Nick

James K · November 9, 2005, 02:45 PM

You don't stake on the pin, you stake on the barrel lug. That is why the specs for the M1911 link pin show the ends rounded, to allow for staking.

Jim

**Unclenick** · November 9, 2005, 03:52 PM

O.K. Duh! I guess I'm just used to treating the lugs with kid gloves after fitting them. Now that you've mentioned it, I do recall an old Remington-Rand a friend of mine had that was staked around the lug holes. Just never did it myslelf.

Nick

OBIWAN · November 9, 2005, 11:09 PM

OK...now assuming I have never staked anything

Care to be more detailed????

Puhleeezeee

**Unclenick** · November 10, 2005, 03:41 PM

There are a couple of ways to go about it. Without the dedicated military tooling, I suggest you simply take an autmatic center punch and go around the edge of the hole with it. If, afterward, the barrel doesn't fit in the frame, file the upset points flush with the sides of the link lugs.

Nick

November 9, 2005, 12:41 PM	#1
OBIWAN Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,340	Loose barrel link Pin Star B Subject line says it all I am not real happy with it being able to fall out How might one secure the little beast?

November 10, 2005, 03:41 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	There are a couple of ways to go about it. Without the dedicated military tooling, I suggest you simply take an autmatic center punch and go around the edge of the hole with it. If, afterward, the barrel doesn't fit in the frame, file the upset points flush with the sides of the link lugs. Nick Last edited by Unclenick; November 10, 2005 at 05:10 PM.

November 9, 2005, 02:08 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If the hole in the link is larger than the ones in the lugs, you can go to an oversize pin. An alternate solution is to use a threadlocker on the pin; at least at one end. Loctite Nu-Metal is a gap filling anaerobic methacrylic design to retain loose fitting bearing races in worn recesses. It has aluminum flakes to help fill the gap. If you use it, it would require heat softening to get the pin loose again in the future. I've had at least one 1911 barrel (a Colt N.M. barrel, actually) that didn't hug the link pin. It can't get loose when the gun is assembled because the sides of the frame surround it. It shot extremely well. Having it fall out during field stripping was the only risk. I assume the same it true of the Star? Nick

November 9, 2005, 02:10 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Assuming it is a snug fit (and the correct pin), just stake it. Jim

November 9, 2005, 02:32 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I don't know the Star specifically, but my collection of link pins are all heat treated. I actually use an automatic center punch to drive them in and out, and it leaves no significant indentation. Upsetting such a pin would be problematic. Brownells sells a couple of sizes. If the link hole is large enough, this is the cleanest approach. Nick

November 9, 2005, 02:45 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	You don't stake on the pin, you stake on the barrel lug. That is why the specs for the M1911 link pin show the ends rounded, to allow for staking. Jim

November 9, 2005, 03:52 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	O.K. Duh! I guess I'm just used to treating the lugs with kid gloves after fitting them. Now that you've mentioned it, I do recall an old Remington-Rand a friend of mine had that was staked around the lug holes. Just never did it myslelf. Nick

November 9, 2005, 11:09 PM	#7
OBIWAN Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,340	OK...now assuming I have never staked anything Care to be more detailed???? Puhleeezeee