Tip of the Week #2: Fixing Tight Tolerances

Tip of the Week #2: Fixing Tight Tolerances

Many guns, especially 1911 and 2011 pattern guns, suffer from excessively tight tolerances.  Those tolerances can reduce a firearm’s combat effectiveness when operating outside of the square range’s controlled conditions.  Thankfully, our researchers have an easy tip.

At your local hardware store, they have a product called “lapping” compound.  It’s name comes from “lap” formed by the posture of the ancient gunsmiths who first used it while in a seated position.  Apply this lapping compound liberally (but not progressively) between the slide and frame before and during your next few range sessions.  After a half dozen trip or so, you should notice a significant improvement.