Throated barrel in Colt New Agent. Worth it?

GringoLoco · November 14, 2011, 09:29 PM

I picked up a new Colt New Agent earlier this year and it didn't like my regular brand of defense ammo, or the next two brands I tried. I know 3" 1911s earned a reputation for being finicky, but I also noticed the barrel has a very minimal feedramp, and it isn't integrated into the frame very precisely (there's a step from the frame to the edge of the feedramp that likes to snag the leading edge of a hollowpoint and just stop it cold). Does anybody have much experience tuning compact 1911s? Wondering if it would be a good candidate for a barrel throating job or if I should just carry FMJ.

GURU1911 · November 14, 2011, 11:43 PM

The lower front edge of the barrel throat, should stop about 1/32" from the front edge of the frame feed ramp. The edge of the barrel throat must not hang over the edge of the feed ramp.

This is an easy fix & your pistol will then feed jhp ammo. If you do not wish to do this yourself, i can recommend two of the best in the whole usa:

Teddy jacobson----"actions by-t"----sugarland, tx.

Alex hamilton----10-ring precision---san antonio, tx.

Tell them that michael in sealy, texas referred you to see either of them.

Guru1911

GringoLoco · November 15, 2011, 01:54 PM

Cool, thanks. I'll take a closer look when I get home. Normally I'm a do it yourselfer, but I might ship it out for this job. Thought about sending it to Colt, but I wasn't impressed with the job they did or the service when I sent it back for a beavertail install.

GURU1911 · November 15, 2011, 06:25 PM

Alex & teddy have been in the "top 100" for the past 20 years, as rated by the "american handgunner magazine". Alex is a charter member of "the american pistolsmiths guild". They are both in their early 70's.

Check out their websites for more info---promise neither will disappoint you & your expectations will be exceeded.

Guru1911

OOOPS---LEFT SOMEONE OUT WHO CAN ALSO FIX YOUR PROBLEM:
WAYNE NOVAK @ "NOVAK'S GUNS"---PARKERSBERG, WV.

Casimer · November 15, 2011, 07:27 PM

GURU's right. You need to retain that gap. It's a common mistake for people to assume that it's a flaw and the try to grind it away, ruining their pistol in the process.

And I can also second his recommendation for Alex Hamilton. He'd done some work on one of my 1911's, and I was impressed by the quality of his work and his professionalism.

GringoLoco · November 15, 2011, 11:07 PM

I'll look into them. I really like the pistol but can't carry it if I can't trust it. Just wanted to make sure it's realistic to expect a quality smith to be able to make a 3" 1911 reliable with hollowpoints. I'm willing to pay for quality if that's the case.

**Unclenick** · November 16, 2011, 09:29 AM

Sounds like the overhang of the barrel ramp is backward from what it should be, but without photos I can't be sure. If you're going to send it to a custom smith, inquire as to what he wants for an overall reliability packagem, assuming he offers one. That would include fixing your feed issue and other general smoothing and checking of fit and timing. Also, if you want trigger work or anything else done, it's cheaper to get it done at the same time, thanks to shipping costs.

November 14, 2011, 09:29 PM	#1
GringoLoco Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Posts: 60	Throated barrel in Colt New Agent. Worth it? I picked up a new Colt New Agent earlier this year and it didn't like my regular brand of defense ammo, or the next two brands I tried. I know 3" 1911s earned a reputation for being finicky, but I also noticed the barrel has a very minimal feedramp, and it isn't integrated into the frame very precisely (there's a step from the frame to the edge of the feedramp that likes to snag the leading edge of a hollowpoint and just stop it cold). Does anybody have much experience tuning compact 1911s? Wondering if it would be a good candidate for a barrel throating job or if I should just carry FMJ.

November 14, 2011, 11:43 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	The lower front edge of the barrel throat, should stop about 1/32" from the front edge of the frame feed ramp. The edge of the barrel throat must not hang over the edge of the feed ramp. This is an easy fix & your pistol will then feed jhp ammo. If you do not wish to do this yourself, i can recommend two of the best in the whole usa: Teddy jacobson----"actions by-t"----sugarland, tx. Alex hamilton----10-ring precision---san antonio, tx. Tell them that michael in sealy, texas referred you to see either of them. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

November 15, 2011, 06:25 PM	#4
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Pistolsmiths Alex & teddy have been in the "top 100" for the past 20 years, as rated by the "american handgunner magazine". Alex is a charter member of "the american pistolsmiths guild". They are both in their early 70's. Check out their websites for more info---promise neither will disappoint you & your expectations will be exceeded. Guru1911 OOOPS---LEFT SOMEONE OUT WHO CAN ALSO FIX YOUR PROBLEM: WAYNE NOVAK @ "NOVAK'S GUNS"---PARKERSBERG, WV. __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06" Last edited by GURU1911; November 16, 2011 at 04:20 PM.

November 16, 2011, 09:29 AM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,076	Sounds like the overhang of the barrel ramp is backward from what it should be, but without photos I can't be sure. If you're going to send it to a custom smith, inquire as to what he wants for an overall reliability packagem, assuming he offers one. That would include fixing your feed issue and other general smoothing and checking of fit and timing. Also, if you want trigger work or anything else done, it's cheaper to get it done at the same time, thanks to shipping costs. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 15, 2011, 01:54 PM	#3
GringoLoco Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Posts: 60	Cool, thanks. I'll take a closer look when I get home. Normally I'm a do it yourselfer, but I might ship it out for this job. Thought about sending it to Colt, but I wasn't impressed with the job they did or the service when I sent it back for a beavertail install.

November 15, 2011, 07:27 PM	#5
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	GURU's right. You need to retain that gap. It's a common mistake for people to assume that it's a flaw and the try to grind it away, ruining their pistol in the process. And I can also second his recommendation for Alex Hamilton. He'd done some work on one of my 1911's, and I was impressed by the quality of his work and his professionalism.

November 15, 2011, 11:07 PM	#6
GringoLoco Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Posts: 60	I'll look into them. I really like the pistol but can't carry it if I can't trust it. Just wanted to make sure it's realistic to expect a quality smith to be able to make a 3" 1911 reliable with hollowpoints. I'm willing to pay for quality if that's the case.