Recommend a 1911 Pistol Smith to Fit a 9mm Barrel, Please!

[rhino]

Here's the deal. My trusty Springfield 1911A1 in 9mm has never shot good groups. The barrel sucks and it's getting worse, so I have decided I'd like to have a new barrel fitted (will probably go with Kart if it matters).

Here's the problem: None of my "go-to" guys have time in their schedule to do the work for me.

So, I'm looking for recommendations from shooters for a 1911 plumber within a couple of hours of Montgomery County. Preferably this would be someone who has a good track record of fitting barrels so that the gun is 100% reliable and as accurate as can be expected given the limitations of the parts. I'm asking here instead of the gunsmithing forum because (with all due respect), I am interested more in the opinions of people who shoot a lot, drive their guns hard, and understand what is acceptable and what is not in terms of reliability and accuracy.

I'd prefer to not ship the gun, which is why I am looking within a couple hours of Montg. Co.

Also, please do not be offended if I am familiar with the work of someone you recommend and prefer to not patronize them. If that's a problem for you, I'm okay if you don't want to offer advice to me.

Thanks!

 

[AllenM]

I recommend myself Though I'm not sure how close I am to you

 

[rhino]

I recommend myself Though I'm not sure how close I am to you

About an hour.

Do you have much experience with single stack 9mm 1911s?

 

[AllenM]

Yea a bit and barrel fitting is something I consider a specialty

 

[CB45]

Rhino, AllenM is very capable of fitting a barrel for you, for whatever my opinion means to you. Just a warning, he fits them tight. It will need to be shot in before its 100% reliable with weak 9mm ammo (my open gun took 1000rds). Its easier to break in a .45 barrel because heavier recoil springs are used.

If you wanted to sacrifice a little accuracy, I'm sure a barrel could be fit not as tight so that it would be reliable right out of the gate. Wait, that would be kind of the way your gun came from Springfield.

Anyway, Allen is very knowledgeable about the 1911 platform and can help you figure out your issues.

 

[Killion]

Allen is the man! He would definitely be my choice for this. He built my open gun from the ground up. If he can do that…he can do anything with a 1911. He is building me another open gun right now as well. +1 to Moore GunWorks.

 

[churchmouse]

I have watched AllenM fit up a few barrels and he is the guy for this work.

 

[riverman67]

Allen,
Can you make a .40 SS run reliably on factory length ammo?
If you think you can I'm willing to give this piece of STI **** one more chance.

 

[AllenM]

Rhino, AllenM is very capable of fitting a barrel for you, for whatever my opinion means to you. Just a warning, he fits them tight. It will need to be shot in before its 100% reliable with weak 9mm ammo (my open gun took 1000rds). Its easier to break in a .45 barrel because heavier recoil springs are used.

If you wanted to sacrifice a little accuracy, I'm sure a barrel could be fit not as tight so that it would be reliable right out of the gate. Wait, that would be kind of the way your gun came from Springfield.

Anyway, Allen is very knowledgeable about the 1911 platform and can help you figure out your issues.

Chad I have "loosend" them up a bit since that gun without sacrificing accuracy but I do fit up with tight to tolerance still

 

[AllenM]

Allen,
Can you make a .40 SS run reliably on factory length ammo?
If you think you can I'm willing to give this piece of STI **** one more chance.

I believe I can help you with that

 

[riverman67]

I believe I can help you with that

It's loaned out right now
I'll get with you after the SS nationals.

 

[sv40sw45]

Gary Growe in Columbus does all my Barrel fitting since my eyes have gotten to bad to do it myself. He built my Eagle.

 

[CB45]

Chad I have "loosend" them up a bit since that gun without sacrificing accuracy but I do fit up with tight to tolerance still

 

[rhino]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Keep them coming!

 

[chezuki]

I have sand paper and a Dremel!

 

[Killion]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Keep them coming!

Allen Moore…Moore GunWorks. I'm not sure why you want us to keep recommending the same thing? Seems like we should only have to do it once?

 

[chezuki]

George in Brownsburg could do it also if he's not too backed up with custom builds. Website is still "under construction", but here's the email from it:

george@gh2custom.com

http://www.gh2custom.com/index.htm

 

[bwframe]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Keep them coming!

Assuming GH2 is one of your "go to" guys that are too busy. Have you contacted Tony Hawkins about this? I have the impression he does his own gun work, but either way?

 

[rhino]

Allen Moore…Moore GunWorks. I'm not sure why you want us to keep recommending the same thing? Seems like we should only have to do it once?

Your smarta**ery has been duly noted.

​rhino out!

 

[rhino]

George in Brownsburg could do it also if he's not too backed up with custom builds. Website is still "under construction", but here's the email from it:

george@gh2custom.com

GH2 Custom - Home

Assuming GH2 is one of your "go to" guys that are too busy. Have you contacted Tony Hawkins about this? I have the impression he does his own gun work, but either way?

Yes, George is one of my go-to guys (the others being Darrel Stonebraker and Neil Keller). George doesn't have time to do it, Darrel doesn't have time to do it, and visiting Neil (don't know YET if he can do it or not) is a full day for the round trip plus the mandatory visit (Uncle Neil is COOL).

I had forgotten about Tony! I haven't talked to him a long time, but I'll see if he's interested. Thanks for the reminder!