New Barrel for a well-used 1911?

[FitchHall]

THR,

For about two years now, I have been reading this board. I have learned a lot from postings regarding the 1911.

If you don't mind, I would like to ask for your collective advice (and maybe a little bit from 1911Tuner) on a specific gun.

I have a Kimber Series I Stainless Gold Match that I bought for a very good price from an older shooter who was giving up the sport. I replaced all of the pins and springs and added a few of the drop-in parts that suit my personal taste (S&A Magwell, Wide Thumb Safety, Extended Slide release, Extended Mag release). After tuning the extractor, it has been 100% reliable, functions smoothly, and is fairly accurate.

The previous owner stated that he was the original owner and shot about 25K rounds through it, mostly LSWCs. Since I have picked it up, I have put another 5K of LSWCs and LRNs through it. The slide to frame fit is just a tad loose, and the barrel lock-up seems tight at the lug and the bushing.

Here are my questions -
1. Is it time for another barrel?
2. How can I get more accuracy out of the pistol?
3. Would a professionally fit bushing do the trick by itself, or should I go ahead and get a whole new barrel and bushing set installed?
4. If a new barrel would be a good idea, which one would you recommend?
5. Is it worth the $50-$70 to have the slide to frame fit tightened?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Jim Watson]

1. No, you've got another 100,000 lead bullets to go, from a wear standpoint.
2. What is the present accuracy - from a Ransom Rest or 2600+ NRA shooter?
3. What is your accuracy requirement? If for 50 yard slowfire I would get a professional full accuracy job, new barrel, bushing, and tightening. If the stock barrel bushing and lockup are now snug there is little to gain by working them over.
4. Kart.
5. Not without the rest of a complete accurization.

For GUN accuracy to matter, you must have good ammo. Commercial cast bullets don't always make the grade. Shoot with factory match or JHP to see what it will really do.

 

[1911Tuner]

New Barrel?

I'll second what Jim said. Even hard-cast lead bullets are gentle on barrels
as compared to jacketed bullets. I've seen guns worn completely out
with lead bullets, and after being rebuilt using the same barrel, shot just fine after the refurbishing. Not up to "new" standards...but perfectly adequate for anything but a bullseye match.

When ya get about 35 or 40 thousand jacketed bullets through the tube...
then you can start lookin' for a barrel.

Luck!

Tuner