1911 Guys, I Need Help. Kart or Bar-Sto?

[DogBonz]

I'm having a 1911 built and need to decide on a barrel. It will, of course, be 45 cal. So which one? Bar-Sto, or Kart? What are the pro’s and con’s of each. If anyone has any first hand knowledge of either one, or both, I would greatly appreciate any insight. The Bar-Sto is about $75 more that the Kart, so is there a big difference, or is it a name thing?

Thanks for the help,

 

[farscott]

I have four 1911s chambered in .45 ACP with Kart barrels and one with a Bar-Sto barrel. In my hands, accuracy is identical. A better shooter may find one brand shoots better than the other, but barrel/bushing fit is more important than barrel brand. I do know that lots of Bullseye shooters like Kart barrels and Les Baer uses a private-labeled Kart barrel.

Both are great barrels, but I believe the Kart is a better value due to its lower cost. The claimed advantage of the Bar-Sto is the stainless steel versus the Kart's carbon steel; however, barrel corrosion has never been an issue for me. I believe the carbon steel is a better steel for a barrel based on reading the steel specifications; however, the Bar-Sto does quite well.

Both are great choices. I prefer the Kart barrel, but that is because I am cheap.

 

[JoeHatley]

I'm having a 1911 built

That is the key portion of your statement. I'd use which ever your builder recomends or is comfortable with.

Both brands have a fine reputation for quality. If your builder has no preference , then check into availability. Both makers tend to batch up their production runs and the exact barrel you want, may not be instock exactly when you want it.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Steve C]

As for barrels, I use Kart or Bar-Sto. If a customer wants another brand, that's fine, but I can't guarantee two-inch accuracy at fifty yards (I usually still get it). I can get almost any barrel to shoot, but probably not as well as a Kart or Bar-Sto. More matches -- including National Championships -- have been won with Kart and Bar-Sto barrels than with any other brand, and it's very rare that you get one that won't shoot. They don't cost more than other brands and they're not in short supply, so I can't see why you'd go with another brand. But hey, if you want to, it's your nickel.

The Custom-Built Handgun
Larry Leutenegger

If you want to read the full article click here: The Custom-Built Handgun

 

[DogBonz]

Thanks Guys

My smith said that he finds them to be equal as far as quality and accuracy, so he asked if I had a preference. Being that this is my first time down the custom build road, I didn’t know if there was a big difference between the two. I know that they are both top quality, and that in the cost of a build, that 75 bucks is a drop in the bucket, but wasn’t sure if the extra $75 was buying anything other than a name. I didn’t want to layout a bunch of cash, and then cheap out on the most important part. If the only difference is carbon VS stainless steel, than that $75 will be buying a grip safety, a hammer, and a firing pin.

As far as the time table goes, it’s not an issue. I still have about 5 months until my slide arrives, so I’m not in a big hurry to get any of the other parts.

Thanks for the replies, and keep’em coming.

 

[Ala Dan]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one; as both are quality barrels.
I just happen too be more familiar with the Bar-Sto name; more so than
Fred Kart. However, I do own a new Les Baer TRS with the Kart barrel
and it delivers some mighty fine accuracy~!

 

[fedlaw]

I fitted a Kart E-Z Fit in my Springer Loaded. I am very satisfied, although the gun will no longer chamber Zero 200gr. lead swc's. Everything else I've tried works fine, with Speer Lawman being the best compromise- value v. accuracy - so far.

 

[Spartacus451]

Neither!

Scheuman! j/k

 

[Fred Fuller]

I prefer Kart barrels, world class quality at a reasonable price...

lpl/nc

 

[XavierBreath]

I cannot match the potential of either a Kart or a Bar-Sto barrel.

I believe the main difference is carbon vs stainless steel. You will be happy with the accuracy of either one.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I say it depends on who's fitting it.

Since you're not, and the smith is, and cost if is the only factor, go with cost.

 

[10-Ring]

I really like the stuff from Bar Sto but the last time I needed a barrel, the one I wanted included an extended wait for availability :banghead: The KART barrel was ready right away so that is what I went with...& I'm so glad I did! She's been awesome!

 

[Rinspeed]

Last I knew the Karts were cheeper by $30 or 40 so that is what I would use. I don't think you are going to be able to tell the difference in accuracy.

 

[Bob R]

Both makers tend to batch up their production runs and the exact barrel you want, may not be instock exactly when you want it.

A lot of truth to that statement. When I had my Delta built I had to wait an extra 3 months for the barrel. I wanted a Scheumann Ultimatch. The first one would not fit to the builders satisfaction and it took 3 months to get another.

bob