Slide to frame fit

chrisp51 · October 1, 2013, 08:19 AM

I have a older model FEG Hi-power clone. The overall condition of the pistol is very nice but there is, what I consider, too much play between the slide and frame. Is there any way that this play can be reduced without causing damage to the pistol? Thanks.

JNad · October 1, 2013, 10:59 AM

Have you shot it yet?

I have a similar pistol that rattles like a bag of marbles, and you can actually see the slide shift slightly when the sear lever engages. However, it shoots REALLY nice groups, and runs like a swiss watch.

I have very little experience working on Hi-Powers (I changed all the springs in my Israeli HP clone, and polished out some rough spots - that's it), but I would expect it is possible to swage the rails down similar to the way 1911's get done.

Claude Clay · October 1, 2013, 11:08 AM

proper lock up of the barrel at the chamber and the muzzle, as the sights are on the slide, has more to do with accuracy than the frame fit. i'm with JNad.

Dixie Gunsmithing · October 1, 2013, 02:46 PM

The closest you can get it, is around 0.001" clearance on each side, or 0.002" overall. Any tighter, and I have found problems arising. You can mash the slide rails in with a vise or a fixture, then use a good lapping compound to free it up, and obtain the value, but that close of a fitting tolerance is only applicable for match pistols, as any grit or dirt may foul it in the field.

If it shoots great right now, I wouldn't tip it.

October 1, 2013, 08:19 AM	#1
chrisp51 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 148	Slide to frame fit I have a older model FEG Hi-power clone. The overall condition of the pistol is very nice but there is, what I consider, too much play between the slide and frame. Is there any way that this play can be reduced without causing damage to the pistol? Thanks.

October 1, 2013, 11:08 AM	#3
Claude Clay Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2007 Location: CT Posts: 325	proper lock up of the barrel at the chamber and the muzzle, as the sights are on the slide, has more to do with accuracy than the frame fit. i'm with JNad. __________________ NRA Instructor -- NRA Basic Pistol & Re-Loading Make a fire for a man and you warm him for the night Light him on fire and you warm him for the rest of his life

October 1, 2013, 10:59 AM	#2
JNad Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2012 Posts: 105	Have you shot it yet? I have a similar pistol that rattles like a bag of marbles, and you can actually see the slide shift slightly when the sear lever engages. However, it shoots REALLY nice groups, and runs like a swiss watch. I have very little experience working on Hi-Powers (I changed all the springs in my Israeli HP clone, and polished out some rough spots - that's it), but I would expect it is possible to swage the rails down similar to the way 1911's get done.

October 1, 2013, 02:46 PM	#4
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	The closest you can get it, is around 0.001" clearance on each side, or 0.002" overall. Any tighter, and I have found problems arising. You can mash the slide rails in with a vise or a fixture, then use a good lapping compound to free it up, and obtain the value, but that close of a fitting tolerance is only applicable for match pistols, as any grit or dirt may foul it in the field. If it shoots great right now, I wouldn't tip it.