BD,
I clipped this from my brochure for you. It is what I consider to be a minimum standard for a reliability job. You may find it useful in checking out a local 'smith. A decent local 'smith should be able to do this work. Just find someone who has a good reputation that you can verify with people that you trust. Good Luck!
John Harrison
1911 Function Reliability Tune Up
The purpose of the Function Reliability Tune Up is to make minor adjustments and corrections to the pistol so that it smoothly and flawlessly chambers, fires, extracts and ejects every round, when fed quality ammo from good magazines as well as to inspect for potential problems. I recommend that the work below be repeated on some regular basis on high use guns.
Every pistol should have the steps listed below taken to assure correct functioning and safe operation. In addition some pistols need additional work done (not included in the cost of the Function Reliability Tune Up), such as lowering the ejection port (most pistols made over the last 15 years already have “lowered” ports), re-crowning the barrel (not all factory crowns are bad), polishing the slide bore or rails on exceptionally rough guns, machining the clearance cut in the frame bridge, detenting the slide stop, and other miscellaneous work, such as tuning to run a particular ammo or installing an extended ejector. Because not every gun needs or every customer wants these additional jobs done, I treat these jobs on a “as needed, ala Carte” basis. I currently charge $60.00 for the following work.
1) Inspect pistol for operation of safeties to verify correct function, fit of barrel & slide, correct operation of fire control mechanism, looseness of sights, plunger tube and grip screw bushings.
2) Detail strip pistol, clean, dry and inspect all parts for damage, wear, rough surfaces and incorrectly done modifications (such as over polished feed ramp, etc.)
3) Make the following modifications and adjustments:
Breech Face:
Measure width & correct if tight
Polish surface of face and sides
Deburr firing pin hole
Chamber:
Check for correct headspace
Finish ream to clean the walls and cut leade
Polish chamber
Polish feed ramp on frame and barrel
Extractor:
Cut correct radii on claw and polish
Check engagement depth (“spring”) and adjust as required
Test and adjust tension
Slide stop:
Check and adjust fit as needed to assure proper slide lock back with empty gun
Check and adjust for possible causes of premature slide lock
Barrel:
Inspect crown and locking lugs, inspect link pin and stake if loose
Frame:
Check for frame bridge relief cut
Springs:
Test weight of recoil spring and replace if needed with correct weight spring
Inspect and replace any other springs as needed
4) Assemble and lubricate pistol, bench test function with dummy ammo
5) Test fire to verify proper function
