Chambers Custom The Barrel Fit Challenge

[Bender]

Down a rabbit hole.

 

[ZoidMeister]

Thank you for that.

I like many are simply trying to learn. I believe I know where I'm headed

Back to the mustard patch?

I still need to get my MSC from Joe . . . .

 

[Bender]

 

[1911U004]

View attachment 1081

I want that t shirt!

 

[Bender]

I want that t shirt!

Pm sent

 

[1911U004]

@alias so just to be clear here you, don't see a problem with someone spending $7K on a "custom" gun and having the builder install, what appears to be, a drop in barrel?

 

[alias]

@alias so just to be clear here you, don't see a problem with someone spending $7K on a "custom" gun and having the builder install, what appears to be, a drop in barrel?

I was not aware Kart barrels were drop in barrels.

 

[1911U004]

I don't see where the barrel manufacturer is shown or listed

 

[azpoolguy]

I don't see where the barrel manufacturer is shown or listed

Joe had stated in numerous location that it or they were Kart Barrels.

 

[azpoolguy]

@alias so just to be clear here you, don't see a problem with someone spending $7K on a "custom" gun and having the builder install, what appears to be, a drop in barrel?

I personally don't.

If the pistol build details were discussed and the purchaser sought out those details because that is what the builder is know for then how is that bad? If the builder has 100 hours into cosmetics, small parts fit and finish, hand checkering and so on. Why should that gun sell for less then someone else's build that has 100 hours into it but more time was spent on barrel fit then cosmetics or beavertail fit?( I'm using the 100 hours as an approximation. I have no idea the actual billed hours.)

Now if the builder gave an accuracy guaranty and the pistol did not deliver that because the barrel was not fit correctly or the pistol did not function because of the "poor" barrel fit thats a different issue.

If you asked 5 smiths their opinion on barrel hood to breach face dimensions or upper lug engagement you will probably get 5 different answers. So who is right?

 

[Bender]

There is obviously a right way and a wrong way to install a barrel.
What is right or more proper? Common sense would lead one to believe that a barrel with little to no lower leg contact isn't properly installed. If I paid for a barrel install, I would surely be disappointed if that new barrel were installed poorly or proper steps were missed.

"If you asked 5 smiths their opinion on barrel hood to breach face dimensions or upper lug engagement you will probably get 5 different answers. So who is right?"

This is an assumption based upon what? You are a rather talented home smith. Seems you installed your project gun barrel with results that match those that JoeC has talked about. I also understand that you talked to at least two other popular 1911 Smiths about barrel install procedures. Funny how your lower leg engagement is better than some shops that do this for a living.

That is a bit confusing to me.......

 

[Joe C]

I personally don't.

If the pistol build details were discussed and the purchaser sought out those details because that is what the builder is know for then how is that bad? If the builder has 100 hours into cosmetics, small parts fit and finish, hand checkering and so on. Why should that gun sell for less then someone else's build that has 100 hours into it but more time was spent on barrel fit then cosmetics or beavertail fit?( I'm using the 100 hours as an approximation. I have no idea the actual billed hours.)

Now if the builder gave an accuracy guaranty and the pistol did not deliver that because the barrel was not fit correctly or the pistol did not function because of the "poor" barrel fit thats a different issue.

If you asked 5 smiths their opinion on barrel hood to breach face dimensions or upper lug engagement you will probably get 5 different answers. So who is right?

My personal thoughts are that if someone puts 100 hours into cosmetics and doesn't know how to fit a barrel then you should probably save the money of them "building" the gun and send them a Ruger, RIA, Colt or Springer to just do cosmetics on. But $7k for a gun with no fitting and just some fancy cosmetic work? That would be like buying a corvette with a 4 banger under the hood. But it's not even about that. It's more about knowing what you are getting. Hey, if you are happy paying top dollar for a "custom" that isn't fit properly by the standards myself and many more before me used, it's your money.

What I can tell you is this. I've seen guns by Shockey, Giles, Chow, Curtis, Clark Sr., Sams, Marvel, Keefer, Dinan, Day, Maples and a whole host of other old time 1911 smiths. They all have one thing in common...good to great barrel fit on the lower legs to slide stop. And many times they had to work with the factory barrels, welding them up, cutting them back down to fit, etc. So if you think I'm wrong, why would guys for the past 60+ years strive for that perfection? Yet today it's seen as, meh, not that important...

I don't really care what folks think were my reasons. I've explained that it's about education. Those who want the education listen. Those who don't, talk behind my back. My door, phone, email, pm is always open to those with a willingness to learn. Those who have contacted me know that. I'm just not into good nuff. And I've seen enough work come through my shop and when I worked at Marvel to know the difference.

 

[Stentor]

I believe I know where I'm headed

Me too—getting my deposit ready for a build with Joe

 

[schofield]

Thank you Joe for this. Always great to learn.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

 

[Bender]

Here's a shot of a Baer

 

[DukeSoprano]

May I ask, what part of the barrel fitting process pertains to better results to the legs? It appears to me being a NOVICE that the legs would be over sized and filed down until the desired fit is obtained?

 

[Joe C]

May I ask, what part of the barrel fitting process pertains to better results to the legs? It appears to me being a NOVICE that the legs would be over sized and filed down until the desired fit is obtained?

Duke, that is the basic premise. Except no one with any acumen uses files anymore.

 

[Bender]

The thing that really caught my eye was the bumps

P.S.
Great word Joe, I was rather sure of its meaning, but looked it up regardless.

 

[DukeSoprano]

How does that look? It is hard to tell in the pic, all the ink remains on the upper legs and the curves


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Joe C]

It is not good Duke...but that's just my opinion.