Colt 1911 barrel link Model 70

dmt411 · July 5, 2012, 04:44 PM

While searching out barrel links for a Model 70 Colt 1911 government I find a variety of them 0.278" and other variations. What is the measurement referring to on the gun? It has the colt barrel. thanks for the insight.

WWWJD · July 5, 2012, 04:59 PM

That would be hinge pins center to center.

Jim Watson · July 5, 2012, 05:00 PM

That is the center to center hole dimension.
.278" is standard, a No 3 in the Wilson chart.

There is some fitting that can be done by varying link length but too much of a change in link size can cause more problems than it fixes.

alland · July 5, 2012, 05:02 PM

The 0.278" is the center to center distance between the two holes. The 0.278" is considered standard. The different lengths are used to correct barrel timing usually with aftermarket gunsmith fit barrels.

dmt411 · July 6, 2012, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the info everyone.

Hunter Customs · July 6, 2012, 01:53 PM

Most everyone has done a good job of explaining what the measurement is refering to on barrel links.

Here's some other things to keep in mind when dealing with barrel links.

Don't take for granted that a number 3 link or any number link for that matter will corespond with the correct amout of thousands that it desinates.
I highly advise you measure all links before using them.

Going to a longer link in most cases will give a little more lockup to a barrel.
However just going to a longer link may not be the answer because when you change barrel links you change the timing of the gun.

The longer link may make the lower lug of the barrel strike the VIS to soon as the barrel is trying to unlock from the slide, doing so will damage the barrel and slide.

Going to a shorter link may cause link failure because the barrel may be stopping it's rearward movement on the link only.

There's much more to 1911 barrel links and barrel fitting then most people understand.
My advise is if you are not well versed in the timing of a 1911 pistol leave the barrel link alone.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

July 5, 2012, 04:44 PM	#1
dmt411 Member Join Date: January 23, 2012 Posts: 54	Colt 1911 barrel link Model 70 While searching out barrel links for a Model 70 Colt 1911 government I find a variety of them 0.278" and other variations. What is the measurement referring to on the gun? It has the colt barrel. thanks for the insight.

July 5, 2012, 04:59 PM	#2
WWWJD Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Central KY Posts: 552	That would be hinge pins center to center. __________________ *~Mark* NRA Endowment FTW

July 5, 2012, 05:00 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	That is the center to center hole dimension. .278" is standard, a No 3 in the Wilson chart. There is some fitting that can be done by varying link length but too much of a change in link size can cause more problems than it fixes.

July 5, 2012, 05:02 PM	#4
alland Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 35	The 0.278" is the center to center distance between the two holes. The 0.278" is considered standard. The different lengths are used to correct barrel timing usually with aftermarket gunsmith fit barrels.

July 6, 2012, 01:07 PM	#5
dmt411 Member Join Date: January 23, 2012 Posts: 54	Thanks for the info everyone.

July 6, 2012, 01:53 PM	#6
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	Most everyone has done a good job of explaining what the measurement is refering to on barrel links. Here's some other things to keep in mind when dealing with barrel links. Don't take for granted that a number 3 link or any number link for that matter will corespond with the correct amout of thousands that it desinates. I highly advise you measure all links before using them. Going to a longer link in most cases will give a little more lockup to a barrel. However just going to a longer link may not be the answer because when you change barrel links you change the timing of the gun. The longer link may make the lower lug of the barrel strike the VIS to soon as the barrel is trying to unlock from the slide, doing so will damage the barrel and slide. Going to a shorter link may cause link failure because the barrel may be stopping it's rearward movement on the link only. There's much more to 1911 barrel links and barrel fitting then most people understand. My advise is if you are not well versed in the timing of a 1911 pistol leave the barrel link alone. Best Regards Bob Hunter