1911 80% Tactical Machining Build, Part 8: Fitting the Slide

Hammer Fitting the 1911 Slide

How to hand fit the 1911 slide with files, lapping compound, and tons of hammering.

Published July 21, 2014

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You’ve gone through all the measuring and cutting to bring your 80% to 100%. Now it’s time to make everything work! Disclaimer.

Setup

Get your Dykem and files ready because they’ll be used a lot. I first realized I needed a little wider of a channel towards the bottom of each side. Basically to the line that came in the frame. I hand filed it down so I could get the slide to just barely fit.

I brought out my plastic hammer and gave everything a good whack. Dykem to see where you need to file down. After a LONG time and tons of hammering…

Remember to go all the way through (sorry fuzzy picture).

Once you can hammer everything, start with your coarsest grit lapping compound and start going at it again. Get through to the finest grit and it should feel like glass!

Next Lesson

Part 1: Intro (Finding the 80%)

Part 2: Tools

Part 3: Parts List

Part 4: Basic Fitting

Part 5: Cutting the Slide Rail

Part 6: Barrel Seating

Part 7: Hammer & Sear Pin Holes

Part 8: Fitting the Slide

Part 9: Assembly & Fitting

Part 10: GunKote Application

Related topics:

1911 ,
80% ,
How-To

shop products mentioned

Brownells AR-15 .458 SOCOM Barrel $320

Written By

Eric Hung

I'm Eric Hung, the founder of Pew Pew Tactical, and I love guns. For over 10 years I've been soaking up as much information as possible online, in competitions, classes, and from my own testing. Now I hope to bring that info to you! I've written over 250 articles on Pew Pew Tactical that are read by millions a month. I'm also an NRA certified pistol instructor and avid USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor. Learn more at About Us.

4 Leave a Reply

John

From the looks of the rail cutting you went clockwise around the frame which is backwards. You always want the cutting face to cut CCW . You have much more control and a cleaner slot. CW can cause the cutters to dig in and pull the work piece. Same with a router.

February 11, 2016 9:27 am

ehung

Good tip, thanks!

February 12, 2016 1:15 am

Daniel congiolosi

What brand slide did you use?

April 2, 2015 9:01 pm

Eric Hung

I used a Fusion slide. Check out my parts list article: http://www.somuchtodo.com/how-to-guides/1911-80-build-part-3-parts-list/

April 2, 2015 10:39 pm

Setup

Next Lesson

Part 9: Assembly & Fitting

4 Leave a Reply

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