XSE Slide/ Rail Fit

[Beck1911]

Do the XSE guns have a tighter slide to frame rail fit than the other colts?
I checked a new commander series 80 this weekend and it was loose as a goose. The barrel fit was good however...

[paul45]

What is the definition of "loose as a goose". I look at Colts ALL the time in my state and all have been nicely fitted. I do not want an overly tight slide to frame fit that causes problems, like two other production makers apparently have.



BTW, the Commander you looked at most likely would be very reliable and also accurate, given your description.

You do know, don't you, that slide to frame fit contributes 5-10% towards accuracy?

[para38super]

What is the definition of "loose as a goose". I look at Colts ALL the time in my state and all have been nicely fitted. I do not want an overly tight slide to frame fit that causes problems, like two other production makers apparently have.



BTW, the Commander you looked at most likely would be very reliable and also accurate, given your description.

You do know, don't you, that slide to frame fit contributes 5-10% towards accuracy?
COLT claims there XSE has tighter tolerances. I happen to have an XSE and as paul 45 said you dont want a very tight slide. I happen to beleive COLT commander 80 series is the same as the XSE.

[Beck1911]

I'm familiar with autoloaders... I'm sure it is pretty accurate. It also was quite loose with both vertical and horizontal play.

"Loose as a goose" means looser than my Kimbers, Springfield MilSpec, Sig 220 and Glocks... That is loose. Nothing that would keep me from buying it however!!!

[Pietro M9]

My series 70 repro is "as loose as a goose", my XSE is tight.

[horse 91-A1]

With my XSE, nothing a little CLP couldn't take care of. :)

Bob

[DuckRyder]

I have 2 XSE's, a light weight Super .38 Commander and Stainless Government model.

They are both a bit tighter than my Super .38 1991, but certainly not super tight.

[spongebob]

How does one check slide fit? Other than seat-of-the-pants feel.
I have an inbound XSE, used, SS government on its way and would like to include this measurement in my log book for future reference.
What other items should I check/look for with my 'new' used XSE

[TattooPaul]

For what it's worth, my XSE has a very nice fit. By comparison my WWI Repro is understandably slightly looser as I believe it to reflect mil-specs which need such fitment for operation when dirty as well as interchangeability. My M1911A1 made in 1943 is tighter than my WWI Repro but a touch freer than my XSE. The tightest fit I have is with my Kimber Ultra-Carry II which is snug all the way around. I have had great service from it but I know of cases where that snuggness has caused problems with some compact Kimbers.

Spongebob - other than physically feeling the free play, you can measure the width if the outside edge of the rails with a calipers that reads at least down to thousandths and then use a similarly accurate inside reading calipers to measure the inside edge of the rail grooves on the slide. Some calipers have both inside and outside tips.

[spongebob]

Thanks TattooPaul,

Can do and this will give me another measurement I can check on my other 1911s.

Are the slide fit specs available anywhere? And I bet the tolerances are different for steel VS alloy mixes.

This is probably like the extractor pinch pressure test. No posted value. The measurements will differ from gun to gun even if they are the same model.

The test is simple, if the gun is running good and brass goes where you want it to go, take the reading and record the value. Actually, the average of at least 5 tests. I love my Lyman, Best little 9 V battery eater in my tool box! More data, more data.

If later you start to experience FTE issues or the hot brass starts to tattoo (no pun intended) your forehead, retest the pinch pressure checking for a change (this shift, + or -, will tell you where you need to go) and adjust accordingly. BABY STEPS, always baby steps with adjustments, we’re not changing brakes on a half ton truck here.

Oh yea, the other standard check-list items need a look-at like ammo changes and don’t over look the ejector/breech face for wear to name a few.

Applying the same test philosophy to the slide fit would be logical.
If it’s working, measure it and record your findings. If performance degrades/changes retest for a shift and adjust accordingly. Or take it to your Smith!

Bless you JMB for envisioning this piece of art and then bringing it to life!

Merry Christmas and be safe in the New Year!

[TattooPaul]

I suspect the desired dimensions exist on the drawings used for manufacuring and are probably not readily available for the masses… Unless you have one that is a rattletrap, I wouldn't worry about it. If accuracy seems to be suffering, a skilled gunsmith can tighten it up but beware of overdoing it as reliability suffers as tolerances get too tight.

[oldspice man]

My Gov model XSE feels pretty tight. I shot other brand name production models, and I thought it felt pretty loose, but it still had tight groupings.