Military Issued Headspace Gauges .45 ACP for M1911

[rainer308]

Hi,

I am searching for information regarding the procedure of checking the headspace in military used M1911.
I didn´t found any information regarding headspace in official military manuals of this weapon.

Was there no intention for such a procedure?

I understood that there was not such a check determined on troop-level up to maintenance-level 4. But wasn´t there a check at Depot-Level?

If there was a such a check, how looked like the gauges for this.

Is there an armourer-toolset or a depot-maintenance-toolset with .45 headspace-gauges.

I am only interested in the military-issued gauges. No commercial gauges like Clymer, Forster, Wilson etc.

Can anybody of the specialists help with informations.
Thank´s in advance

Rainer
from Germany

[Doran]

Welcome to the forum.

I searched my picture files for a USGI .45ACP head space gauge but didn't find any. I believe I have observed some; double ended GO/NOGO.

[Steve in Allentown]

I thought you might be able to help out a fellow who's looking information about military issued 1911 head space gauges.

Here's a link to his post in another forum: https://forum.m1911.org/showthread.p...-ACP-for-M1911

Regards,
Steve

I'd be happy to help out, if I could, but I have no knowledge of what he's looking for. Sorry.

I was a US ARMY Small Arms Repairman from 75-78, trained for Direct Support and General Support level work. (these are levels 3 and 4 of the 5 level system. Level 5 is Depot level done at arsenals, not in the field)

There was no .45ACP headspace gauge used. There was none in the shop set. Can't say about other services or other times, but when I was there, the Army did not check 1911 headspace. Ever.

IF the pistol wouldn't chamber a round, parts were replaced until it would. Nothing was ever fitted, every part was "plug and play" and if it didn't fit, the part was tossed and another installed until one that did fit AND work was found.

We repaired (by replacement) every part needed except the Frame (frames were Depot level items). There was no headspace gauge for the .45ACP.

We did have headspace gauge for the M16, and headspace and timing gauges for the M2 .50BMG are part of the USER's kit, but there was none for the .45.

Feel free to pass this on...

Regards,
44AMP
Gary

[Doran]

I found what I was thinking of in my picture files: GO/NOGO gauge for the slide/bushing. These tools and photo courtesy of Johnny Peppers.

Page 259 of Charles Clawson's Colt .45 Service Pistols-Models of 1911 and 1911A1 shows a flowchart of barrel inspection. One step says, "FINISHED BARRELS 100% GAGE AND VISUAL INSPECTION (Contractor responsibility)" I'm certain this contractor inspection included headspace along with the other dimensions. The flowchart also includes Proof Firing, Hardness Test and Functioning Test.