When I saw that one with the stainless steel hole inserts I got my hopes up until I read closely and realized it was just the trigger and hammer pin holes. Why not the pivot and takedown holes? It did however give me an idea for machining and putting my own stainless steel bushings in. Hmmm...
Point of clarification: the rear takedown pin hole is not the problem. The front pivot hole is the problem. It allows the uppers to wobble both side to side as well as up and down. I'll do some more precise measuring. Hole slop begets more hole slop as the mating halves batter one another with a running start, albeit a small running start. there's always 1 mil nickel or chrome shim sheet that you can cut to line a hole with. I had some, but darned if I can find it now.
Thanks for the tips. My rule of thumb is that if a manufacturer puts a lot of effort into eye candy crap like flags, skull and crossbones, molon labe logos, whatever decorations they choose to lure in the mall ninjas, that's time and money they could be putting into making the design stronger. Just my personal opinion. Fancy
window dressings don't do anything for performance. They exist to draw in the people who value form over function. Maybe that blued steel one is the best choice after all.
I realize many would argue that slop in all four planes is not a problem, but it still worries me, especially with these heavy hitters. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. If it gets to bothering me enough, I'll do something about it as opposed to just grousing.
Hoot