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View Full Version : Pictures of my father fitting an EGW FPS to my Kimber. Did we do ok?

SBC Zilla
13th July 2008, 11:04
First, let me say that I know very little about the 1911, what I did here is more to ask if what we did was correct as opposed to an "How to"
If anything is done incorrectly, please feel free to comment.
Also, it should be noted, my father is a Tool/Die maker, NOT a gunsmith.He owned a few machine shops in the Shreveport area for 35years.

Here are a few pictures of my father doing some work on one of my 1911s. What we are doing, is fitting an oversized Evolution Gun Works firing pin stop. The pistol in question is a relatively stock Kimber DW.



Here you can see the difference between the EGW unit (left) and OEM piece (right)
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps1.jpg




The EGW unit was about 10-thou to large, and had to be ground equally on both sides to fit. Removing equal materal from both sides is DIRE as if this is not done, the Firing pin hole will not line up with the firing pin.
Correctly fitted, the new piece should have a snug fit, and take a small bit of pressure to be installed. There should be no play.

Also, I should comment, that the EGW unit was not exactly flawless as I recived it from EGW. It required some shaping of its own. It was not entirely flat on both sides. A few min with a honing stone, and she was all better.

The stock FPS was about 7-thou to small, and was quite loose in its groves. Also, it should be noted, that if the FPS has excessive play, it will cause the extractor to "roll" in its slot, causing the pistol to not eject correctly.


All of the EGW units are oversized, and must be fitted to match each individual 1911.
Also, we will be placing a small bevel on the 90. I have heard many opinions as to what this bevel should actually be. There is no general consensus, only that the edge is slightly broken, and uniform across.

This is the grinding wheel dresser that we will use to shape the grinding wheel to the correct bevel.This is such a fine piece. Made back in the 1940s. Dad still has the original bill of sale.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps3.jpg

Dad dressing the grinding wheel.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps4-1.jpg

From the side, you can see the dressed wheel, and it creating the bevel on the new FPS.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps5.jpg

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps2.jpg

Here is the modded piece compared to the stock unit.You can see the slight bevel that was created.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps6.jpg

Egw on left, stock on the right.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps7.jpg

The EGW unit as fitted in its slot.
The picture seems to show the left side as being high, but it is not.
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s24/nofbdybs/egw%20fps/fps8.jpg


After fitting, I did some tests with a few friends. One has a stock Springer Loaded, and the other has a Colt WWI Repro. Both friends are knowlegable shooters.

All guns were shot by both friends. Both were amazed at the way the guns reacted when the EGW gun was fired compared to the others. One even commented that we had to be using different ammo.

Howd I do guys?
Jolly Rogers
13th July 2008, 11:22
"Sigh"...all that equipment... can I be your new brother?

Looks very well done by the way. When I installed my stop I just stroked it gently on the hard arkansas oilstone to set the radius.
Joe
SBC Zilla
13th July 2008, 12:01
"Sigh"...all that equipment... can I be your new brother?

Looks very well done by the way. When I installed my stop I just stroked it gently on the hard arkansas oilstone to set the radius.
Joe

I mentioned that to dad.
Being that all machinist I have ever met are some of the most anal people on earth,dad being no exception, he opted to use no less than 3 different pieces of equipment and about 5 measuring devices to fit the piece. :D
shovelwrench
13th July 2008, 12:13
I mentioned that to dad.
Being that all machinist I have ever met are some of the most anal people on earth,dad being no exception, he opted to use no less than 3 different pieces of equipment and about 5 measuring devices to fit the piece. :D

Sounds like all the machinists I know.
John
13th July 2008, 12:14
Ahem.... all that to fit the firing pin safety? Don't ever ask him to do a trigger job on your pistol. It will be ready for your grandsons to fire. :p :) :D

Say thanks to your dad for being so careful.
SBC Zilla
13th July 2008, 12:17
Ahem.... all that to fit the firing pin safety? Don't ever ask him to do a trigger job on your pistol. It will be ready for your grandsons to fire. :p :) :D

Say thanks to your dad for being so careful.


LOL!

Honestly, he isnt that anal. He is one of those men that really love the art of cutting metal. Absoutly adored his job. This is a small shop he has in his backyard that he "plays" in.
I have some moderate skill in the craft, but nowhere near the raw tallent that he was born with.
With the inception of CNC stuff, men like him are a dying breed.
Hill
13th July 2008, 13:07
LOL!

Honestly, he isnt that anal. He is one of those men that really love the art of cutting metal. Absoutly adored his job. This is a small shop he has in his backyard that he "plays" in.
I have some moderate skill in the craft, but nowhere near the raw tallent that he was born with.
With the inception of CNC stuff, men like him are a dying breed.


I know that wheel dresser and it's a beautiful piece for sure. You say your dad still has the receipt for it? So ask him where the guard for his surface grinder wheel went....:)

It's not overkill to do the FPS with machine tools, it's the right way if you've got the tools. I use a surface grinder too, but I've got an angle vice so I don't have to grind my wheels. Still, I find so few uses for all of my machining stuff anymore I guess one wheel wouldn't matter much in the greater scheme of things.

Bet your dad was as happy as a kid to be able to help with this, right?
gfavaron
13th July 2008, 13:56
I don't want to borrow the tools; I want to borrow the dad.
SBC Zilla
14th July 2008, 11:14
I don't want to borrow the tools; I want to borrow the dad.

One of the greatest things in the world, was growing up with a dad like him.

Especially when your hobbies are guns, cars and 4-wheelers. :D