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As my Springfield loaded project draws to a close I already have my eye on a new project. The Springfield stock barrel was plenty accurate so all I did to it was add a match bushing and had it recrowned.

My next project however will be a full house gun from the ground up. While I have a pretty good idea of the small parts I want to use I am not so sure on the barrel.

I was wondering if you guys would be able to give me some much appreciated guideance on the subject. It seems as if there are a ton of great aftermarket barrels so I guess it would be hard to go wrong. To this point I am considering using one of the following: Bar-sto, Kart, Scheumann, Nowlin or Ed Brown. Any thoughts on which ones to avoid and what type of ramp works best (the gun will probably be a 9MM/38 Super or 9MM/9X23 combo).

Thanks

Pete

Pete, I don't know about everyone here, but I know that Ted, Chuck and myself use an awful lot of Kart barrels, though it would be hard to go wrong with any of the names you mentioned. I would however strongly recommend that if you elect to do something like the 9MM/9x23 combo gun make sure you get both barrels from the same manufacturer. I had one a few months ago where the customer supplied 2 barrels from 2 different mfrs. Though they were the same type of ramp cut, the different makers specs differ enough to make things a bit difficult in the fitting department. Personally, I prefer the Clark/Para cut in the integral ramp type barrels.

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

Thanks for the response. What is it about the Para/Clark ramp that you like? At the risk of sounding like I don't have a clue what is the differences between the various ramps and how does it effect the performance of the gun?

I have also heard some of the various gunshop Rambos go on and on about how you can't beat Bar-sto and their barrels won't rust like Kart's. Seems silly to me as I imagine that if you neglect any barrel it can't be good. I find it hard to believe that you will have problems with a properly maintained Kart barrel.

Also do the Kart barrels come with a match bushing or do you have to buy one seperately? The Brownells cataloge don't show the Kart with a bushing. If it doesn't come with one which do you recommend?

I agree with Don. I can think of only two reasons not to use a Kart.

1) If the customer insists on a stainless barrel

2) If the gun is getting a bull barrel

Kart's bushings are first-rate, along with their barrels.

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shop.HarrisonCustom.com
www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Order it directly from Kart and you can get it with or without a bushing.

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Dave Berryhill
Berryhill Custom, LLC

Pete, Though Brownells doesn't show it (they only carry some of Karts barrel models), you can buy his bushings separately if you want, though you have to go to Kart. I prefer the Clark/Para configuration as it seems to have more metal in the impact area behind the link lugs, and I believe it's somewhat stronger. It's also a bit easier to machine, and that doesn't hurt. I really don't have a preference as to bushings, though I do want one that's machined vs. cast, and also has a wider bearing area - and most do. I like Karts barrels for a number of reasons, among them: 1. They shoot VERY well 2. They're readily available.

Bar-Sto makes a very good barrel, but the wait time can be lengthy, and there are a large number of choices out there in good quality 1911 barrels at this moment in time. I will put whatever barrel a customer wants in his gun, but if they're looking for my input, Kart is always at the top of the list. Hope this helps,

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Don Williams
http://www.theactionworks.com
http://www.ltwguns.com

John, Dave and Don thank you for the responses they have been extremely helpful.

One final question which isn't directly related to barrels but is to this project and that is what platform should I use for this project?

As I see it I have three options. The first is to buy a factory Colt/Springfield gun already chambered in 38 super and replace most if not all the stock parts (it seems like a shame to pay for parts just to replace them). I don't need to have the Pony on the side but am not opposed to having one either.

The second would be to buy a Caspian slide and frame. Everyone seems to hold their product in high regard but I wonder how a cast frame will stand up to heavy use (15,000-20,000 rounds a year) in 38 super or 9X23.

The third and final option would be to buy a forged slide and frame from someone like Rock River or Wilson. It seems to be a little more costly that buying the Caspian but I wonder if the costs aren't more than made up for later down the road.

Thanks agian for the input. I would rather square these choices now than to kick myself in the rear somewhere later down the road.

Badger,

I am no gunsmith, but I think I can answer the question on the Caspian cast frame and their barstock slide. I have a 10mm Commander sized gun that has seen a few thousand rounds of full tilt 10mm and the frame is still in like new condition. I also have six other Caspian framed guns and all are cast. I shoot my guns quite a bit and have never had, heard of, seen, or even had nightmares about one of Caspian's frames failing. A guy who shoots at the range I use here in Blacksburg has a 6" .460 Rowland built on Caspian stuff... cast frame & their slide. He shoots it like it's a .22 and the ammo is free, and that gun is one of the tightest and best shooting cannons I have ever seen. The Army Marksmanship Unit, Marine Markmanship Unit, and Air Force all use cast Caspian frames for their single stack 1911s. There's really nothing bad I can say about them... except that it will take a little bit more effort to get them to finish out if you want a polished gun. You will never get a peened and squeezed gun with a fit that will last as long as a properly built gun. But, then there is the pony. And that, my friend, is what is the deciding factor for so many custom gun choices.

...and I totally agree with everyone so far with the choice of Kart barrels. The bores in Karts look like glass and they are MUCH easier to clean than anything out there from what I have seen.

Good Luck!

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Can't speak for the 9x23 caliber specifically, but the Schuemann AET barrel is just perversely accurate. Can't speak for all the technical claims, just that it shoots radically well. Of course, Ted's installation probably didn't hurt.

Had a KKM and a couple Bar-Sto barrels too, and they were fine. The gun I'm waiting on now is going to have a Bar-Sto.

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China