As I was reassembling my 1911 today, I noticed that there was a little play between the slide stop pin and the link pin hole. the slide stop pin diameter is a few thousandths under the diameter of the link pin hole. was wondering how much play is desirable, i.e., is there an ideal amount of play?
As I understand it, according to spec, the slide stop pin diameter should be between 0.1985" and 0.2005". The slide stop pin hole in the frame should be between 0.201" and 0.203". That gives you a range of 0.0005" to 0.0045" of clearance. The bottom hole in the barrel link (the one the slide stop pin goes through) should be between 0.2045" and 0.2055". That puts the clearance between the link and the slide stop pin at 0.004" to 0.007".
It's possible you could have a National Match spec barrel link with a 0.230" to 0.231" hole in a standard frame with the above specs. If so, you have way too much clearance.
Get out the old calipers and check it out.
The slidestop crosspin diameters in ordnance-spec pistols generally runs from .195-.197 inch, with an occasional example as large as .199 while most are .198 inch.
The pinhole in the links run from .202-.204 inch, with most pretty close to .203 inch. Calipers will provide the answers.