In an auto pistol, how much play should there be between the slide and frame?
Is there a litmus test of some sort when you're in a shop looking? How much rattle is too much? Does it depend on the pistol.
I'm asking in relation to my last thread because the same friend is looking at a used Sig 226 that has a good amount of slop between the slide and the frame. It rattles when you shake it. I've always looked for tighter pistols myself but I'm not sure what to tell him. I don't want him to miss a good deal because I'm picky.
The shop dude is telling him it's fine, of course.
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"Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker
If I hold a pistol (that's in battery, and locked up) in my hand, and shake it, and it rattles, I'll look elsewhere. My .45 makes no sound when it's in battery and shaken.
I rattle when shaken tho......... 'course I'm old
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NRA Life Member
Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste
USMC RVN Jun '67, - May 69
Back in the 60s the NRA sent our rifle club a box of surplus 1911s. They were marked Singer Sewing Machine and Remington Rand. When you shook them, they sounded like a bag of quarters. They did fire every time no matter what, but you couldn't hit a fence post at four feet.
For a standard working 1911 .45 the side play of slide to frame is .005 to .010 thousandths to allow it to work freely and under adverse conditions .
Desireable under Military conditions but Undesireable for target competition!
The Competition pistols I have built are highly polished on wear contact surfaces and I cut the tolerance down to about .002 thousandths to .003 thousandths and use heavier springs and tighter links for a tight lockup and Increased accuracy , and faster cycling.
Rich
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[I]You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!:( [/I]
