What exactly is a "Match Grade Barrel"

[SureThing]

I'm tinkering with 1911's now, and I read some have "match grade barrels". So how is that different than other barrels? What makes them better? Or is it just marketing?

For example, Kimber claims it has match grade barrels, but Springfield does not.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I would define "match grade" as being more carefully manufactured to more precise bore, chamber and rifling dimensions, with less variation in tolerances, than is usual, then being hand-fitted to an individual gun. Also, chamber dimensions tend to lean toward the minimum spec for the cartridge, although I am not sure how this increases accuracy. It may decrease reliability if the chamber becomes a little dirty or you get a maximum-spec round. Whether Kimber's barrels meet this definition, I cannot say.

 

[Owen]

I'm sure the actual gunsmiths will jump in here with better information, but I'll give it a shot while you wait for the experts.

In general an aftermarket match grade barrel for a 1911 will be oversized so that it must be fit to the slide. On a 1911, the sights are not attached to the barrel, so a tight fit between the barrel and the slide is important to make sure the barrel and the sights always line up the same way.

In addition, more care will have been taken to make sure the chamber is concentric with the bore, and that the muzzle is square to the bore. This is important to make sure the bullet both enters and leaves the barrel uniformly.

As far as Kimber advertising match grade barrels, and SA not advertising match grade barrels goes, I would take the advertising with a grain of salt. As far as I know, there is no actual standard for what a match grade barrel is.

 

[CWL]

, there is no actual standard for what a match grade barrel is.

yup!

 

[rcmodel]

What owen said!

True match grade barrels are left over-size in the hood, locking lug, cam, and chamber specs so a gunsmith can hand fit them to an individual slide & frame perfectly, and then set the headspace with a chamber reamer.

They may very likely also be air-guaged for a perfect bore, and hand lapped for smoothness.

What those guys are calling match barrels in the adds are very likely, NOT!
They may be slightly better then the run of the mill barrels they were using, but not a lot.

rcmodel

 

[bluetopper]

Plain and simply a match grade barrel is a shore nuff good un.

 

[blackcash88]

And maybe that's why so many people praise Kimber 1911s for their accuracy. Never seen a negative post about Kimber accuracy.

 

[Gator]

It may decrease reliability if the chamber becomes a little dirty or you get a maximum-spec round.

I have one on my Colt Combat Target and it is very accurate, but the chamber requires frequent cleaning. I used the gun in a class at the Chapman Academy where we fired 4-500 rounds per day. It got very annoying to have to clean out the chamber between each course of fire! So my opinion is, use the match chambers on bullseye guns but not for combat type shooting.