How to Machine the Barrel Link Area on a 1911

The Browning model 1911, otherwise referred to as the Colt 1911 or Colt .45, was introduced in 1911 by John Browning and adopted by the U.S. military. The pistol remained as the standard issue sidearm for U.S. troops until the mid-1980s, when it was replaced by the Beretta M9. As with all weapons, periodic maintenance or modification is necessary from time to time. If installing a new barrel or barrel bushing, the barrel link area must be machined to fit the new barrel.

Things You'll Need

  • Padded vise
  • Dial caliper
  • Black dry erase marker
  • Gunsmith scribe
  • Milling machine
  • Fine metal file
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unload the weapon completely. Remove the magazine. Pull the slide to the rear. Visually inspect the chamber to ensure no live ammunition is present.

    • 2

      Depress the recoil spring lug located at the muzzle end under the barrel. Turn the barrel bushing clockwise. While holding pressure, carefully withdraw the recoil spring and recoil spring plug from the slide.

    • 3

      Turn the barrel bushing counterclockwise. Remove the barrel bushing. Cock the hammer fully. Pull the slide to the rear until the slide release lever is directly under the small, circular notch on the slide. Note that there are two slide notches: one large and one small.

    • 4

      Depress the slide stop-pin located on the right side of the frame. While holding pressure, pull the slide stop pin out of the frame. Push the slide forward and off the weapon frame. Pull the recoil spring guide out of the rear of the slide. Then pull the barrel assembly out of the front of the slide.

    • 5

      Secure the new barrel upside down in a padded vise. Ensure the barrel link area -- recognizable by the two small, parallel lug feet at the chamber end -- is facing upward.

    • 6

      Measure the distance from the barrel link pin hole to the lugs where they rest on the pin, using a dial caliper. Try to fit the barrel link in between the lugs to check. Generally, you will need to machine material away from the lug feet to properly fit the pin.

    • 7

      Coat the sides of the lower lug feet with a black dry erase marker. Position the barrel link at the outside of the lugs using the link pin to hold it in position. Rotate the link from full lock position to the unlock position using a scribe, performing a 45-degree arc.

    • 8

      Scribe the arc on the sides of the lower lug feet. This action will tell you where metal must be removed from the bottom of the barrel lug feet. Most of the black marking will vanish after you scribe the arc. The remaining marked area is the portion where metal must be removed.

    • 9

      Remove the material -- that is still visibly marked by the marker -- from the lug feet, using a milling machine. Machine the lug feet until the black mark is no longer visible. Smooth the machined areas out, ensuring no burring or rough edges are evident, using a fine metal file.

    • 10

      Insert the barrel link and link pin. Reassemble the weapon, and insert a loaded magazine. Point the weapon in a safe direction, and cycle a few rounds through the chamber. If the weapon operates properly, you're done with machining the lug feet. If the weapon locks up, continue repeating Steps 7 to 9 until the link fits properly.