Bar-Sto barrels?

[pepperbelly]

I know their barrels are great quality, but how much of an improvement are they?
I have a Springfield Armory Loaded .45acp. I got it used. The previous owner sold it because it would not group well. I shot it and noticed it had a weird horizontal stringing. I sent it to SA and they replaced the barrel and bushing and refit the slide to the frame. It is very tight
I am wondering how much a Bar-Sto barrel would help. I shoot bullseye with this pistol, and while I haven't yet measured my groups I managed to shoot a 777 with it. It has a C-More reddot scope on it, a Videcki trigger and a Wilson Bullet Proof extractor, but is otherwise stock.
I handload and am currently using a 200gr LSWC over 4.5gr WST. I plan to try tweaking that load a little but it is fairly accurate as is.
What groups would I reasonably expect from a handload and a stock barrel/bushing?

Jim

[cdrt]

A good wad gun should group 2" at 50 yards.

Even though the slide is tight, etc., a lot of guys miss the importance of the barrel link and it's relationship to the slide lock up. If the barrel does not return to the same position each time when it goes in to battery, you'll get some variation of where the shot will go.

If you have the time, get someone with a Ransom rest to check how it's doing at 50 yards. That, at least, will tell you where to go from here, before you spend money on a new barrel, that might not make a difference.

[Hoser]

Kart or Bar-Sto are good barrels for bullseye.

I would have Bob Marvel put a Kart in there.

[Ghost Tracker]

Bar-Sto Barrels are among the finest available ANYWHERE. But there's a LOT to 1911 accuracy beyond the "brand" of the barrel. Link, lock-up, lugs, bushing, etc. make a 1911 really SHOOT. All the Bar-Sto barrels I've ever bought (seven, I think) have come WITH fitted bushings.

To optimize the expense of a quality 1911 barrel, have it fitted by an experienced, reputable, 1911 specialist. I, personally, would expect better accuracy from a well-fitted stock barrel than from a high-dollar barrel installed by a hack.

[Jim Watson]

One bullseye gunsmith said he asked his customers what bullets they shot.
Jacketed got Barsto, cast got Kart.

Accuracy depends strongly on the fit, more so than the brand. Clark is (was?) one of the last gunsmiths to offer welding up and refitting a factory barrel... with the same accuracy guarantee as a new "match" barrel.

[pepperbelly]

When I get the chance I will check accuracy with a Ransom Rest- our club has one available for members.
When Springfield had the pistol they refit the barrel and bushing.
I have no idea exactly how to check it with a guage but there seems to be no play at either end of the barrel. Dad seemed to think they basically upgraded the pistol to a target version. That isn't the same as a match gun but it seems to be better than a stock 1911. The old Colt Series 70 I used to have was so loose it rattled. I left it that way since I carried it on duty and wanted reliability over accuracy.
When I do check via the Ransom Rest I will be sure to post here. That seems like a good time to tweak my loads a little too.

Jim

[Ghost Tracker]

Modern 1911 style pistols don't have the old-fashioned "rattle" because the CNC Machining Cells that modern manufacturers use hold MUCH tighter tolerances than were available even 20 years ago. As a result, the off-the-shelf 1911 of today (Springfield, Kimber, STI, etc.) is more precisely "fitted" than was the premium, custom 1911 bullseye pistols (Colt Gold Cup, Clark, etc.) of a generation ago. There are, of course, exceptions in both directions. Again, have your Bar-Sto barrel fitted by a REAL 1911 Pro if you're going to go to the expense of buying one.