[Island Beretta]

Recently saw someone installed a KKM match barrel in a G17 and their shooting went from good to awesome within a week- significant improvement in speed and accuracy. At a match last weekend he shot nothing but alphas and was way faster as well. Thank goodness for a bungled mag change on a stage and a jam on another to slow this guy down. The shooter says the match barrel has helped in quicker recovery, balancing the gun and improving the felt recoil and no doubt, confidence.

I can see how a match barrel helps in a bullseye situation by reducing shot to shot ballistic variability and bullet flight characterisitcs but how does it help in quicker recovery, balancing the gun and improving the feel? I have wondered if it is primarily the new found confidence from installing a match barrel that has given the shooter this new lease but I can't help but wonder if we start behind if not in the equipment race.

There is a popular school of thought that one shouldn't consider these barrels unless one can really max their stock barrels but is this really true?..

[Jim Watson]

I have to think it is psychological, unless he had a really duff factory barrel or terrible ammo mismatch. I cannot see how a replacment barrel will speed recovery and improve balance.

And note the jam, likely due to the undersize "match" chamber and skimpy "casehead support"feed ramp.

[fecmech]

I don't think the barrel change had anything to do with more A's being shot. That said there are some advantages to match and aftermarket bbls. Accuracy as you mentioned but the fact that most aftermarket bbls in 9mm have rifeling twists of 1 in 16" as opposed to factory twists of 1 in 9 or 10". This helps in the ability of the gun to shoot cast lead bullets more accurately and with little leading. If you are shooting jacketed bullets and IDPA type courses I don't think it matters a bit. Nick

[Peter M. Eick]

Not to be a cynic because I bought a KKM barrel for my G20, but when I see a "match" barrel for sale, I immediately check for a "crappy accuracy, piece of junk" barrel from the same maker. You know, I have yet to find one. For this reason I figure most match barrels are just barrels. Ask the manufacturer what makes it a "match" barrel and specifically why is this better? It will probably turn out that ever barrel they sell is match in some way.

[LiquidTension]

Other benefits...well, you could proudly proclaim your membership in WECSOG if you installed it yourself :confused:

In a 1911 platform, a bushingless bull bbl could perhaps change the balance of the gun as opposed to a standard bbl and bushing, but on a Glock I'd have to say the guy is just fooling himself. Was the new bbl extended, ported, anything like that?

[Old Fuff]

Peter is right. There are "match barrels." and then they're barrels that are simply marked, "match grade."

True match barrels have extra metal at critical fit points, that if correctly fitted insure a tighter lock-up when the slide is in battery. Also of course more attention is paid to the bore and chamber dimensions. All of this should give you better accuracy, but faster recovery from recoil isn't likely unless there is more to the story then we're getting here. Tighter chambers may also cause feeding problems after they get fouled, and it is advisable to scrub out the bore (or at least the chamber) between stages.

However if your friend really feels that the new barrel can do what he thinks it can this may likely have a positive effect on his shooting. The real answer may be that he's using more concentration.

In any case he's going to be a competitor to watch. :evil:

[Standing Wolf]

It will probably turn out that ever barrel they sell is match in some way.

A few companies don't make second best.

[Joe D]

The difference was between his ears. The stock Glock barrel is more accurate than you are. "Match" barrels in a Glock are a waste of money. Both of my G35s will group under 1 1/2" at 25 yds with stock barrels. Here's a group I shot earlier this year testing a different brand of bullet. It was shot at 25 yds from a rest.

[MICHAEL T]

You missed the ball :what: Do that with a 45 and even if you missed the shock wave would have sent the ball to next county. :D :D No need for a match barrel here.

[Island Beretta]

so it is a crutch then..i will spend the 200+ bucks on ammo instead.. the good thing is that i am forced to raise my game..no way am i going to take any a** whopping from that guy..

[PCRCCW]

"Outside of accuracy, what other benefits from match barrel..should I get one?"

Well the gun snobs/magazine educated experts/sheople will go "OHHH AHHH" when they see you at the range............:D

Shoot well.