[NGIB]

This applies mainly to non-government size 1911s. Some manufacturers go with a bull barrel and a few stay with a traditional bushing setup. In 4 inch (or 4.25) guns, Kimber, Springer, and Rock Island use bull barrels while Colt, Sig, and Para uses a bushed design. My biggest dislike of a bull barrel setup is a "gadget" is usually necessary to capture the recoil spring for takedown. Heck, even my Springer Longslide uses a bull barrel - which was odd to me.

Besides not requiring a "tool" for takedown, my opinion is that it's probably easier to tune a bushed gun for better accuracy. Also, as the mechanical components wear - a bushing can be replaced while a bull barrel setup would need complex machine work to accomplish the same task.

Anyway, thought this would make a good discussion so what are y'all's opinions on the issue?

[danf_fl]

Every one of my 1911a1's has a bushing.
I am not fond of the bull barrel concept.

[spittinfire]

I really can't see any reason that a bull barrel would not work as well as a bushing except for the things NGIB has already mentioned. I don't have a problem with the bull barrel set up at all but I can see it's downsides.

In order to tune the barrel and slide you'll need to machine one and I'm betting it's the barrel. Open the slide up too much and you've got a paper weight unless you want to machine an insert which would require press fitting and once inserted be remachined for fit, function and accuracy.

You can only take so much off the barrel because it really needs to be of uniform thickness the whole way around so that it doesn't distort as it heats and cools.

Both become a wear surface so eventually and I stress EVENTUALLY......one, the other or both are going to wear out. With a bushing you can tune the bushing to fit the warn barrel and keep on truckin but not so with a bull barrel.

Now that I've bashed the bull barrel design.....I highly doubt the average shooter will wear out a bull barrel gun in a lifetime. I got a new one not long ago so I'll start a round count and let you know.

[Olympus]

I don't know. There's probably a pretty good reason why most of the Bullseye shooters I see shooting 1911s with bushings as opposed to bull barrels. If we're talking better accuracy, I might give the nod to the bushing.

[Dillinger]

I have had one with the bull barrel and I agree with NGIB. I did not personally care for it, or the tool to take it down with, but it shot very well and ran like a champ.

Having said that, it was the first 1911 I sold off when the opportunity to upgrade presented itself.

JD

[lonyaeger]

I don't see the big deal. If you have a paper clip, you always have the "tool."

[Dillinger]

True. But without the bull barrel, as long as I have my thumbs, I always have 'the tool'.

[spittinfire]

Originally Posted by lonyaeger

I don't see the big deal. If you have a paper clip, you always have the "tool."

I agree with this. I'm pretty sure if in a pinch I could get it apart without the "tool" .

[canebrake]

Or you could buy a Colt with the bull barrel that DOES NOT require a "tool" for takedown!

[NGIB]

Actually, the paperclip isn't bad. The crazy plastic half cylinder used by Springer is abysmal. Yes, they will come apart and go together without the "thingys" - just not as easy.

Cane is correct that my Colt Officers has a bull barrel (and a bushing also) and does not need "stuff"...