Would I see a difference in changing to a Wilson Match Grade 1911 Barrel?

[777funk]

If I were to fit a Wilson Match Grade Barrel into a Turkish 1911 (Girsan) would I see a difference in accuracy?

I can see match grade making a difference in rifles but I wonder if it's really noticeable in a 1911.

Curious what the thoughts are here.

 

[bigfatdave]

That would mostly hinge on your shooting skill and ability to fit the new barrel to the existing gun.

 

[The M]

That depends. How much slop did the old barrel have? If it's like most I've seen, then you'll probably have a tough time seeing any difference unless you're shooting from a rest. Do a blind test. Have a buddy install the Wilson or the original and then you shoot. See if you can see any differences and report back.

 

[777funk]

The stock barrel had a decent amount of slop at both the bushing and the barrel hood.

I've since tightened it up. I didn't notice a night and day improvement of groups before and after but there was some I believe.

I'm shooting 3-4" groups off hand at 12yds. Once in a while I shoot a ragged hole (maybe 1.5" diameter) with a mag worth.

 

[The M]

3-4 inch at 12 yards is pretty rough. Try it from a rest to know for sure.

 

[Walkalong]

Fit properly, almost for certain. Even the drop ins shoot really well.

 

[Teachu2]

Maybe. I have a Series 70 Colt Govt that a previous owner had ported. As a direct result of that, NOBODY wanted it when he put it on consignment. After it sat in the case at the LGS for well over a year, I offered $269 - and bought it. It shot about average, but loaded up with residue in about 100 rounds. It would fail to go into battery, and was a huge PITA to get apart when it was gunked up. I considered making it a dedicated .22lr, but decided to change out the barrel and bushing, and fit it myself. I bought Ed Brown parts from MidwayUSA. I have a decent lathe, and that came in handy. I got some great advice here, and ended up with a nice, tight, very accurate gun for very little money. It shoots far better than average now, and I have the satisfaction of having done it myself. See http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=649117

It was a $200 gamble - the cost of the barrel and bushing. If I'd messed up the parts I'd bought and thrown them away, I was out the cost of those parts and the time it took to mess them up. The gun itself was not at risk, and I could throw the Kimber .22lr conversion back on it and pretend that was my plan all along.... and still have the experience of trying. Go slow and test-fit often. I used the lathe to hold the barrel - all the metal removal was done by hand, even cut the hood by hand-turning the lathe chuck and cutting a thousandth or two at a time.

I didn't do a perfect job, but it shoots great. The slide is still ported, but I don't care. The barrel and bushing are not ported, eliminating all the crud loading the bushing. Those two little port slots don't bother me, and it shoots great. It runs flawlessly, isn't picky on ammo, and shoots great.

Did I mention it shoots great?

There's no guarantee that yours will turn out as well as mine did - you may do better!

 

[Teachu2]

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...1911-auto-drop-in-match-barrels-prod1360.aspx

While I was typing the prior post, you posted your groups. Mine would shoot 3-4" at 10 yards offhand before I changed over, if it were clean enough to function and dirty enough to not rattle too much. Now it's 2-2.5" at 25 yards offhand, always functions, and doesn't rattle.

 

[rskent]

Absolutely

If you do a proper job of fitting your new barrel it will make a world of difference. I was never that thrilled with my Springfield Mill Spec when I got it.
It didn't shoot bad, just average. I fit an Ed Brown barrel and bushing to it. Along with sights and trigger work. It is easily the most accurate pistol I have.
Its a great “sleeper”. It looks like a beater, shoots like a bulls-eye gun. Great fun at the range.

 

[777funk]

What makes a "Match Grade" barrel match grade?

And I should add... what's the recommendation for price to quality? Ed Brown, Bill Wilson, other brand?

 

[tarosean]

A match grade barrel is the same for rifles. With exception that Pistol completions rarely exceed 50yrds.

I would seriously reconsider just how much you want to dump into the gun ($)..
Schuemann is one of the best there is.. Though with the barrel and fitting it will likely cost more than your 1911's purchase price.

 

[LeonCarr]

Match grade barrels are built to tighter tolerances than the factory stock run of the mill type barrels. Less variance in land and groove width, depth, and less variance in internal dimensions from the front of the barrel to the back of the barrel. Also in match grade pistol barrels the lugs at the top and bottom of the barrels are thicker/oversized to allow for fitting the slide and slide stop at tight as possible.

The fitting and the shooter are what really make a match grade barrel Match Grade.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[cfullgraf]

If I were to fit a Wilson Match Grade Barrel into a Turkish 1911 (Girsan) would I see a difference in accuracy?

I can see match grade making a difference in rifles but I wonder if it's really noticeable in a 1911.

Curious what the thoughts are here.

I believe you would see a difference, not match accuracy, but an improvement.

I have a Thompson M1911 that shot ok. On a lark, i installed a used with 3000 rounds or so Colt Series 70 barrel in the Thompson and accuracy is noticeably better.

(FYI, the Colt barrel was removed from a Colt Series 70 Government model that I converted to 38/45 Clerke).

 

[RussB]

Match grade is a worthless marketing term, just like tactical.

accuracy depends on fitment of the barrel

 

[Walkalong]

Fitting is important, but I can assure you a match barrel from a known maker will out shoot the vast majority of standard barrels even when equally well fitted. The bores are made to tighter tolerances and better finished.

Now tactical on the other hand, gets thrown at everything these days.