jonk
11-30-2009, 11:33 AM
I mentioned awhile back that I was thinking of firelapping a RIA 1911 barrel. Some folks suggested handlapping instead but I thought I'd try the firelapping first.
5 rounds cutting grit, cleaned.
5 rounds intermediate, cleaned.
5 rounds finishing, cleaned.
I used 2 gr of bullseye to do this. Enough to ensure the bullet would exit the gun but it didn't operate the slide. I wanted a nice mild load. I used a Lee 200 gr SWC which apparently worked, but a bullet with a larger bearing surface would have been nice.
When done, I fired 3 mags of commercial cast 230 gr RN bullets. I had gotten these from somewhere and they always leaded the snot out of the gun. My handloads with my own cast bullets leaded it too but not as badly. I figured, this is the acid test. If these dont' lead, then I'm good to go.
I'm quite pleased. Where previously I could scrape flakes of lead out of the barrel and see it plated on in places, now it comes clean with a quick bronze brushing and 3 patches. There is still some very minor leading but my philosophy has always been, if it wipes out with just a brush and patches, it isn't really a problem. Accuracy seemed to improve too but I want to re-test to determine that.
+1 for the Wheeler bore lapping kit. I used an infintesimal amount of the kit on this and easily have enough left to do every gun I own if I so choose. Might run some through a few ratty old milsurps next. It won't remove true pits but might clean thigns up a bit.
5 rounds cutting grit, cleaned.
5 rounds intermediate, cleaned.
5 rounds finishing, cleaned.
I used 2 gr of bullseye to do this. Enough to ensure the bullet would exit the gun but it didn't operate the slide. I wanted a nice mild load. I used a Lee 200 gr SWC which apparently worked, but a bullet with a larger bearing surface would have been nice.
When done, I fired 3 mags of commercial cast 230 gr RN bullets. I had gotten these from somewhere and they always leaded the snot out of the gun. My handloads with my own cast bullets leaded it too but not as badly. I figured, this is the acid test. If these dont' lead, then I'm good to go.
I'm quite pleased. Where previously I could scrape flakes of lead out of the barrel and see it plated on in places, now it comes clean with a quick bronze brushing and 3 patches. There is still some very minor leading but my philosophy has always been, if it wipes out with just a brush and patches, it isn't really a problem. Accuracy seemed to improve too but I want to re-test to determine that.
+1 for the Wheeler bore lapping kit. I used an infintesimal amount of the kit on this and easily have enough left to do every gun I own if I so choose. Might run some through a few ratty old milsurps next. It won't remove true pits but might clean thigns up a bit.