where to get a longer barrel to place a comp for 1911 Colt ?

[Riss]

Instead of paying the money I usually try to get it done myself. I'm looking for a longer than standard barrel for my 4" 1911. (looks about that long). I noticed that the barrel is not the same diameter the whole length but is slightly larger in the area where it locks up on the bushing. I assume that a standard long slide barrel would also be the same, having this little "pad" in the lockup area and a slightly smaller diameter behind it so the barrel moves freely when recoiling. Where could I just get a longer barrel that will hang out the front of the slide so I can thread it to put a Comp on it ? If all barrels are like this I may have to spring for a "factory" threaded barrel made for a comp, instead of doing it myself.

 

[Jim Watson]

A real 1911 has a five inch barrel. What do you have?
Brownell's is the best source for barrels and other gun parts, although if you do not see exactly what you want, you might have to contact the manufacturers directly, Brownell's doesn't stock everything that everybody makes.

 

[Riss]

Are The Barrels Slide Length Specific ???

Do not have the pistol in hand. I think it is shorter than 5" but not positive. AS AN ASIDE, IF my barrel is shorter CAN I PUT A LONGER BARREL INTO THE GUN ? And then have the longer one threaded or do I need a SLIDE SPECIFIC LENGTH and longer as necessary ??

 

[DnPRK]

First you need to find out how long your current barrel is. With your pistol unloaded, put a long pencil down the muzzle until it reaches the breach face of the slide. Mark the pencil where it protrudes from the muzzle then measure the length of the pencil. This measurement is the length of your barrel.

Go to www.brownells.com and look at what they have. They sell 1911 barrels in lengths as long as 6 inches. Any longer length can be made to fit as long as your slide is set up for a normal barrel bushing.

 

[Riss]

Question Followup

Part of the question, and maybe the real question is. As long as I can find a longer barrel WILL IT FIT ? ARE THE BARRELS SLIDE SPECIFIC OR WILL ANYTHING FIT AND INTERCHANGE ? Assuming that I purchase the correct ramped/non ramped version will any barrel fit in any slide ? (also assuming that a longer barrel is tried and not a shorter one)

 

[Jim Watson]

Barrels are slide specific. A Commander barrel is not just a Government Model barrel sawn off by 3/4". You must know what gun you have and what barrel length you want to end up with.

Furthemore, good quality barrels are usually furnished a bit oversize and have to be fitted to the individual gun. The slightly enlarged area at the muzzle for the bushing to fit closely is just part of that fitup.