1911 #13 match barrel link

[FBM]

What is the difference between a 1911 match barrel link and a standard link? Is there a difference in the way it should be installed - is there a front and back to the link?

[robot1911]

There's no 'front or back' to links. And I can't tell you the difference between a #13 and your factory link because I don't know the specs on your link.
Not that matters a lot. If you're looking for an improvement in your 1911's performance by changing links, I suggest you look elsewhere...like a fit barrel bushing, for one.

Bob

[FBM]

Thanks, Bob. The reason I ask is that I received a "#13 National Match" barrel link in a kit supplied for a 400 Corbon barrel from Sarco. The link has a small raised "hump" just to the "side" (I don't know which "side") of the link pin hole. No instructions came with the parts. I suspect that I will install it backwards, regardless of which end of the barrel I place the "hump".

This is from Brownell's site "SPECS: Steel. Three sizes: #13, .291" (7.39mm) center-to-center of holes; #17, .295" (7.50mm) c-to-c; #21, .299" (7.59mm) c-to-c."

I have size "#13".

Floyd

[RickB]

The spacing between the hole centers is .013" greater than that on a standard link. Some companies make links in .003" steps, and others make them in .005" steps, so there are a lot to choose from. A barrel that has precut lower lugs should not use a long link in order to increase lock-up. Long links are used to get a tight fit on the slidestop pin when the lower lugs have been welded and recut. If I had a gun that required a link that was more than about .005" longer than stock, in order to get good lock-up, I'd be looking at correcting the relationship of the slide/frame/barrel, not adding a longer link.

[robot1911]

You have the shortest of the "long links". I have no idea why they included it, but if it was me, I'd probably put the link in with the hump facing towards the muzzle.
You know, with a non-standard profile link like that, they should say something about it in their instructions. I don't have a clue as to what that hump looks like or what function it's designed to perform. The only other link I know of that is designed differently to perform a specific function is the one in the "Group Gripper" designed by Dan Dwyer, here in San Diego...and it isn't a 'hump', it's a ledge to seat a leaf spring onto.
If I were you, I'd install the barrel without any recoil parts in it and rack the slide to see if everything works. OR, call the folks who make the kit.

Bob

[niemi24s]

Seems odd (to me, at least) that a barrel installation kit would even include a link, unless the +13 is just a "best guess". Please don't assume this link is the correct one for your gun.

Make sure you've got the proper length link installed before you shoot it. Details for testing the link for being too short or long and for testing barrel link-down timing are available in the Stickies and Technical Issues secion of this forum.

Links are available in a bewildering variety of lengths, but sometimes even the closest commercially available link needs a little tweaking to be "just right".

[robot1911]

I suppose it's possible that this new barrel may have oversized bottom lugs in order to give a closer/tighter slide stop pin fit and, like the Kart E-Z Fit, they figure the #13 is closest to being right.
I know that if this was my CorBon kit, I'd like a chat with the manufacturers because the .400 is not an insignificant load.

Bob