How to Peen the Rails on an M1911

The Browning M1911 pistol was designed as a military sidearm. Accordingly, the slide-to-frame fit tends to be somewhat loose to enhance reliability under battlefield conditions. When competitors began using the 1911 in target matches, they sought ways to improve the accuracy of the pistol, and one of the things pistolsmiths addressed was tightening the slide fit. It is a simple matter to start with a new frame with oversized rails, and polish the rails to fit the slide. But if you are working on an existing pistol, you can peen the frame rails to tighten their fit to the slide.

Things You'll Need

• Owner's manual
• Magazine well filler
• Bench vise with padded jaws
• Ball peen hammer, 2 oz.
• Gun oil

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Unload and disassemble the pistol. Insert the filler into the magazine well and clamp the frame into the vise with the rails at the top.

   • 2

     Tap the rails lightly from above with the hammer. Avoid the magazine well area and tap only the portions of the rails at the front and back of the pistol.

   • 3

     Push the slide onto the frame to check the fit. Pull the slide off and continue peening the rails lightly until you achieve an even, firm fit.

   • 4

     Reassemble and oil the pistol.