Terry it would be so much easier to show this but the single most important element is the fit of the bottom barrel lugs to the slide stop pin. The easiest way to judge is to look for "railroad tracks" on the slide stop pin.
EVeryone seems to think slide/frame fit is important but it only really matters for the time the bullet is in the barrel. A well fitted barrel will take care of a lot of slide play.
It is very hard to judge bushing fit but a slightly larger diameter ( about 0.005") at the front 1/2" of the barrel is a clue. There will be some friction marks on the barrel. If the bushing is a bit snug in the slide that's fine. It is not necessary to have to bring a friend to turn the bushing but a gentle wrench is nice. You should always retract the slide out of battery before turning the bushing. This avoids wear and makes it easier to turn.
The fit of the barrel hood (headspace extension) to the slide is important. I was taught to fit it so you could see no light when the barrel is locked up but it had to fall out of battery freely.
The barrel link's only purpose is to pull the barrel down to unlock. Long links are a bad idea.
With a little practice you can get a pretty good idea of fit without taking it apart. My #1 test is to see how it feels in the last inch of travel on the way in to battery. You can feel things begin to get snug when the pin starts to ride on the lugs.
If you can push down on the barrel and see any movement it isn't locked up.
Now for the rest of the story.
Almost any newly made gun from the big companies is going to shoot pretty well ( 2-2.5") @ 25 yd. which will be better than the average bear can do...
EVeryone seems to think slide/frame fit is important but it only really matters for the time the bullet is in the barrel. A well fitted barrel will take care of a lot of slide play.
It is very hard to judge bushing fit but a slightly larger diameter ( about 0.005") at the front 1/2" of the barrel is a clue. There will be some friction marks on the barrel. If the bushing is a bit snug in the slide that's fine. It is not necessary to have to bring a friend to turn the bushing but a gentle wrench is nice. You should always retract the slide out of battery before turning the bushing. This avoids wear and makes it easier to turn.
The fit of the barrel hood (headspace extension) to the slide is important. I was taught to fit it so you could see no light when the barrel is locked up but it had to fall out of battery freely.
The barrel link's only purpose is to pull the barrel down to unlock. Long links are a bad idea.
With a little practice you can get a pretty good idea of fit without taking it apart. My #1 test is to see how it feels in the last inch of travel on the way in to battery. You can feel things begin to get snug when the pin starts to ride on the lugs.
If you can push down on the barrel and see any movement it isn't locked up.
Now for the rest of the story.
Almost any newly made gun from the big companies is going to shoot pretty well ( 2-2.5") @ 25 yd. which will be better than the average bear can do...
