1911 Bushing Bbl to Bull Bbl

[Chuck Perry]

What parts are needed to run a bull barrel in a 1911 set up for bushing barrels? Is it possible to have one pistol set up for both? Mine is a 10mm bushing gun right now. I'd like to set it up for dual caliber 357SIG, but the only barrel I can locate right now is a bull configuration.

 

[osteodoc08]

I swear it is impossible to do that. Better go get a new gun LOL! That's about all I know about the swap, at least that is what I'd tell my wife.

 

[sanger]

As long as your 10mm extractor/ejector fits the .357 Sig (it should) and the guns timing isn't thrown off too far with the shorter round, you'd need to replace the following:

barrel
recoil spring
recoil rod (you need one that's drilled for a reverse plug takedown)
recoil rod plug (replaced with a full-shouldered reverse plug)

I don't see why you couldn't change it back as you're not modifying the frame or slide.

Of course if your 10mm barrel is ramped, you need to get the new barrel with the same feed system.

It might be easier to just get a whole new gun.

 

[TwoGun]

I think the previous post is right on the money. However I'd ask where you have checked for a barrel. I would think that one of the larger pistol barrel makes would have a standard configuration barrel and then you'd only need the barrel and a different recoil spring.

Take a look at Jarvis barrells or Nowlin. And unless you just have your heart set on the .357 SIG, you might consider a .400 Cor-Bon. Ammo is a bit steep but if you reload it becomes a non issue in pretty short order.

Good luck,,

 

[Majic]

For any kind of accuracy you will have to fit the bull barrel to the slide. That could be your biggest problem.

 

[Chuck Perry]

So far as fitting the bbl, that will be my smith's job. Nowlin is not an option; see my post in the Retail Transactions forum. I will have to check Jarvis and see what they have. Bar Sto,too. I was mainly curious what parts are needed to run a 1911 without a bushing. And no, a new pistol is not an option. I don't think it's cheaper to buy a new 1911 for $1,000 vs a new barrel setup for $350.

 

[GrandmasterB]

Your slide has to be cut for the reverse plug too (which goes with the bull barrel). Many slides are not cut for reverse plugs from the factory, but some are, like STI. I had an STI Trojan in .45 that I had both a bushing and bull barrel for. I would simply remove the bushing, barrel and barrel plug and replace them with the bull barrel and reverse plug. It was super simple and worked great, so it can be done!