1911 barrel fitting question

Joe Portale · June 29, 2002, 11:04 PM

I need to cut the lugs on a 1911 barrel to get it to fit properly. Called Brownells and was told that the Tom WIlson Lug Cutter listed in their catalogue was 'discontinued at the factory". Did a fast web search and turned up nothing on "Tom WIlson Company" and variants of the name.

I have never had to cut the lower lugs before. So here are the questions:

1) Is there another source, make or outlet for this or a similar tool?

2) Would someone be kind enough to talk me through fitting the lugs using a file? Things like how to determin how much to take off, where to cut and where to stay away from and so on would be appreciated. I look through Khunhausen and he refered to the tool that I mentioned above.

Thanks.

WESHOOT2 · June 30, 2002, 12:38 AM

Contact Ed Brown.

George Stringer · June 30, 2002, 07:40 AM

Joe, if you have Hallock's .45 Auto handbook, Pistolsmithing by Nonte, or Kuhnhausen's shop manual, they all cover this pretty well. George

Harry Bonar · February 1, 2005, 07:15 PM

Do not use a file!

Dave Sample · February 2, 2005, 12:07 AM

I used a 3/16th's inch chainsaw file for years. WARNING ! DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Why do you want to do this and what kind of barrel is it? Caspian has a new Drop In Barrel that is really very nice. Are you a Pistolsmith? What kind of 1911 is it?

June 29, 2002, 11:04 PM	#1
Joe Portale Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Tucson, Arizona Territory Posts: 715	1911 barrel fitting question I need to cut the lugs on a 1911 barrel to get it to fit properly. Called Brownells and was told that the Tom WIlson Lug Cutter listed in their catalogue was 'discontinued at the factory". Did a fast web search and turned up nothing on "Tom WIlson Company" and variants of the name. I have never had to cut the lower lugs before. So here are the questions: 1) Is there another source, make or outlet for this or a similar tool? 2) Would someone be kind enough to talk me through fitting the lugs using a file? Things like how to determin how much to take off, where to cut and where to stay away from and so on would be appreciated. I look through Khunhausen and he refered to the tool that I mentioned above. Thanks. __________________ Joe Portale Tucson, Arizona Territory "Even now in heaven there are angles carrying savage weapons". - St Paul

June 30, 2002, 12:38 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Contact Ed Brown. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 1, 2005, 07:15 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	re-lower lug cutting Do not use a file!

June 30, 2002, 07:40 AM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Joe, if you have Hallock's .45 Auto handbook, Pistolsmithing by Nonte, or Kuhnhausen's shop manual, they all cover this pretty well. George

February 2, 2005, 12:07 AM	#5
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	I used a 3/16th's inch chainsaw file for years. WARNING ! DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Why do you want to do this and what kind of barrel is it? Caspian has a new Drop In Barrel that is really very nice. Are you a Pistolsmith? What kind of 1911 is it?