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I wonder what type of repairs the smiths can make to lightweight frames. I know some guys will weld up and remachine rails and things on steel frames. I wonder what kind of repairs can be made to an aluminum frame that is worn past workable specs or was home smithed to a point it's just wrong.

Thanks

Maybe you should tell us the rest of the story

The only thing I've heard of on aluminium rails is chroming them (Tripp???) but I'm not sure if that's repairing or protecting. I would like to know a little more on this too because I have a grip screw bushing that's stripped...

No story from me. I just wondered if there was a way to repair an aluminum frame. I'm looking at used lightweight pistols and if I did end up with a lemon, I want to make sure it can be brought back up to par. ie. the LW Commanders from the 50's. If the rails have been worn way out of spec, can they be repaired by welding and re-machining or some other method (accu-rails)?

Sometimes a "loose" frame can be corrected by using a new Caspian or other slide built to minimum specs. Sometimes.

feedramps can be replaced with steel.

Impact surfaces can sometimes be remachined

You can ream for oversize sear and hammer pins if those holes are loose

Slide stop pins can be found up to .205"

You can lightly massage an alloy frame into feeling tighter if the rails are all there. I have an 80 series Officers frame/Commander slide piece that Garthwaite tightened in the established peen method that has held up quite well after being NP3'd.

When inspecting an alloy frame, look for cracks in the obvious spots, but also look at the slide stop pin hole, at the top rear of the magwell near the disconnector hole, and at the mainspring housing pin hole.

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And yes, you can fit them with Accu-Rails., Welding isn't a viable option however, since the welding will render the parent metal in the area dead soft. I suppose the frame could be re-heat treated, but don't know how well that would turn out and whether it would be worth the cost. Best,

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