Installing my new Kart EZ-Fit Barrel ?

[Hylander]

Just got the Goodies in the mail today :)
However this does not seem right, I beleive I read there should be about
1/32 of gap between Barrel ramp and Frame ramp.
This is right at the edge if not a few thousandths past :confused:
I checked with two other barrels I have and they fit fine with the 1/32 gap.
Should I send this back to Kart.
I tried to call them, but I got an answering machine that says enter your access code :confused:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/hylander7/Firearms/Smithing/IMG_0916.jpg

[niemi24s]

It's best not to judge the Kart barrel based on how the other barrels fit. They may have been whacked on to fit an out of spec frame!

The distance from the aft vertical surface of the lower lugs to the chamber face should be 0.255 ± 0.005 inch.

What does your Kart measure?

[Hylander]

It's best not to judge the Kart barrel based on how the other barrels fit. They may have been whacked on to fit an out of spec frame!
The distance from the aft vertical surface of the lower lugs to the chamber face should be 0.255 ± 0.005 inch.
What does your Kart measure?

If I am measuring the right area, it is .253

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b193/hylander7/Firearms/Smithing/IMG_0921.jpg

[niemi24s]

That's the correct area to measure, but if nothing flat was placed against the chamber face and extending slightly below it forming a reference surface to measure to, your measurement is suspect.

Retake the measurement either with the above mentioned reference surface or take it with the depth rod on your calipers. Better yet, do it both ways.

If it's between 0.250 and 0.260 inch, the barrel's OK as far as the U.S. Army specs are concerned but I have no idea what spec Kart follows for that distance. There's also the possibility Kart may cut the barrel ramp in such a way so it can be trimmed to get the 1/32 inch gap, but I've never fit a Kart barrel.

Do the barrel fitting instructions mention anything about ramp trimming?

[Hylander]

I retook the Measurment several times both ways, Still .253
Kart instuctions make no mention of Barrel Ramp to Feed ramp tolerances.
I just took apart my brothers Norinco and his Barrel mates up just like this one, Maybe .005 gap.

[DuckRyder]

I have a hard fit Kart in my XSE.

I just measured it at .2545. it does not overhang the ramp but it appears almost flush.

I had an EZ fit in 9mm and don't recall the instructions saying anything about trimming the ramp. In extremely simplified terms on the EZ fit you trim the hood until the lugs will engage, then file the fitting pads until the pistol will go into battery. (Again that is VERY simplified, the instructions are 6-7 pages.)

[niemi24s]

Thanks DuckRyder: OK, now we got two Kart barrels measuring about the same thing here and both are real close to the mid-spec value.

Guess it's safe to conclude there's nothing wrong with Hylander's Kart barrel.

Hylander: measure the length of the barrel bed in your frame using this as a reference: http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p232/niemi24s/P6130001d.jpg I'm thinking there's a possibility it may be too short.

[Hylander]

Best I can come up with is my Barrel bed is .010 short
So looks like my Frame Ramp was over cut .010

[niemi24s]

Well, measuring the bed length is pretty "iffy" to begin with. Biggest problem is when the aft corner (where it meets the frame feed ramp) is not nice and sharp. And that 0.260" in the drawing is the mid-spec value based on, IIRC, about 5 or 6 other specs - each with its own tolerance. Each of those tolerances gets added into the final resulting tolerance which is about ± 0.010".

So, based on your measurement, your bed's about at min-spec length.

Unless somebody else chimes in with some words of wisdom, I guess your only option (other than a new frame with a longer bed or having EGW install a ramp insert) is fit the barrel per the instructions from Kart and then whittle just the lower part of the barrel ramp for at least a little gap (maybe not the whole 1/32") and see how it works.

Regards

[RickB]

I've installed e-z fits in a Colt and a Caspian, and the barrel/feed ramp gaps were fine. They look OK, and more importantly, both guns feed perfectly.

[doctruptwn]

I'm just going to through this out there cause nobody mentioned it. After you have it fitted. Try it, before you go whittling on the barrel, Since you said it may possible be flush (enough).

[Hylander]

I'm just going to through this out there cause nobody mentioned it. After you have it fitted. Try it, before you go whittling on the barrel, Since you said it may possible be flush (enough).

Yes; As long as there is a Smiggen of clearance, I will shoot it first.

It is done :D
Total time 4.5 - 5 hours, none stop :scared:
Everything went pretty smooth, The Barrel ramp is pretty much even with the Frame ramp, so I will shoot it before I mess with the Barrel Ramp.
The directions that come with it leave little to be desired.
Thanks for everyones help ;)
I will post range results as soon as I can get to the Range, which will probably be this weekend.

[niemi24s]

After you have it fitted. Try it, before you go whittling on the barrel, Since you said it may possible be flush (enough).Very good point. That 1/32" gap is talked about a lot by many folks as being a near necessity. The Army blueprints, however, will yield a gap of only about 0.005".

I think the most important thing is the barrel not hang aft past the top of the frame ramp. Here's the mid-spec Army and the 1/32" gap versions: http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p232/niemi24s/P08C170010ctxt3.jpg If it was all that important to have that 1/32" gap you'd think the Army barrel specs would provide for it - without any whittling. Maybe the specs for the NM barrel will provide it, but I've never seen any NM barrel specs.

Regards

[tophatjones]

Hylander, I have had to cut away some of the barrel ramp to get the gap on a Kart EZ fit. If indeed you are getting some 3 pt jams and you want to try it, it's actually a very straight forward process. Details and pictures are shown in Kuhnhausen vol 1. Without going into too much explanation, it involves filing the lower part of the ramp at a shallow angle (from vertical, against the angle of the barrel ramp). This will convert the ramp from one face into two faces. Then you take a sharp knife or a scraper and scrape away the ridge that separates them. Generally speaking, you won't need to file much of the lower barrel ramp or scrape away much material to get the 1/32" gap.

We can talk more about this if necessary.

[Hylander]

Thanks Guys:
I got out today to test it, Ran like a Clock :D
I was even hitting Coke can sized objects at 25yd. Free hand at least every third shot, that is really good for me. I will put it on paper later.
Even ran my 7 rounders with SWC, neither of my 1911's would ever run the
7 rounders with SWC, always a 3 point Jam, not anymore :appld:
I had 2 FTF at the very end, I beleive that was because I installed a Buffer.
Anyway the Barrel ramp was hanging over the Frame ramp and as the rounds chambered they were getting a smidge of Lead shaved off by the sharp Ramp.
I have filed it back .005 and will order a Scraper to Blend the Barrel Ramp.
Thanks again for all the Help :cool:

[niemi24s]

Glad it worked for you.. . .will order a Scraper to Blend the Barrel Ramp.FWIW, I've found a good, sharp, short and stiff knife blade works almost as well as a scrape(r) to whittle on barrel ramps. Practice a little on the old barrel first to get the hang of it.

Regards