Bull Barrels

[45 auto]

Looking at a gunsmith fit bull barrel. Are they the same to fit as a barrel/ bushing setup? Any work at the end of the slide? Hoping once everything at the rear of the barrel is fit, the front will be fine. Let me know. Thx.

[jcmios]

The front of the barrel will also need to be fitted to the slide. This is done as you are fitting the rear of the barrel; it is not hard to do. A lathe is a big help but it can be done by hand if you are good with a fine cut swiss file. When it is getting close switch to 600 wet dry sand paper using honing oil and a large flat. Leave it tight so it will just go into lock up under recoil and after a few hundred rounds recheck the fit, it will most likely have shot itself into a nice tight fit.

[AGB]

I have heard this term, Bull barrel a lot. What exactely it is? is tehre any picture available, if possible side by side with a regular barrel?
Thanks.

[brickeyee]

A 'bull barrel' is just a larger diameter than normal barrel. They are used in rifles for improved accuracy (less and more consistent barrel vibration) and in other places (like a 1911) where more metal is needed for a mechanical fit. The barrel bushing is not used in a number of short barreled 1911 style designs. The barrel is larger in diameter at the muzzle and sized to fit the slide without any bushing.

[45 auto]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like this could be a possibility. One less tolerance to mess with, as far as the bushing goes. If properly fit, should be an improvement.

[stans]

In Commander and Government models, I really don't see much benefit in bull barrels other than added weight. Now with barrels of 4 inches or less, elimination of the bushing does seem to improve reliability.