Bushingless is easier to take apart for my understanding. But why is there a debate as to which one is better? Do I not understand the difference between the two or is there a firing adavantage to not having the guide rod? Someone please help me out here.

Not necessarily true, in the sense that a bushing-less barrel (bull barrel) does not always make the pistol easier to take apart. This depends on the guide rod used. Generally speaking, I tend to prefer a bushing barrel, not because it offers a great advantage vs the bushing-less (or disadvantage actually), but because it is easier to find a standard 1911 barrel if the need arises, than a bull one (and the bull one would definitely require some fitting, while with a bit of luck, you can have a firing pistol with a normal barrel without the need of a gunsmith).

Mind you, Mr. Browning went to a bushing-less system in his second great pistol, the Browning HiPower.

Rgds

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

you'll probably get more answers to your technical questions in either the general discussion section or gunsmithing forums.

to answer your question and to add to what john said, one of the advantages to a bull barrel is the added weight helps reduce felt recoil.

-kotonk

Opps, gee kotonk, I hardly had time to move this thread, and there is your answer.

Thanks

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

john, did you change the move features? in the past the thread would be flagged as "moved" in the original section...but i don't see the original message in the Q&S section? just wondering....piknplink may wonder where his post went. keep up the good work....

-kotonk

No, I just moved it without leaving a redirect thread there. My mistake. Let's see if I can correct it.

OK, I think I did it.

Rgds

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

Actually, the BHP has a bushing, it is just part of the slide.

And if you want to be totally correct, all pistols based on the 1911 platform - see my signature on that topic - have guide rods, some short and some full length.

I'd think a standard bushing type set up would work better where there is a chance of mud or dirt getting in the pistol. Smaller "holes" for it to get in the workings.

MOO

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If it ain't metal, single stack and single action; it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like.
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I own and shoot five 1911s with bushings, my second bushing-free bull barrel, and a couple of integral bushing Browning Hi-Powers and I fail to find that one is superior to the other. I am so used to stripping the old style 1911 with its bushing that I find it easiest and fastest. I have to go slowly with my Para Ord bull and both my HPs. I don't think either is superior, just what you like best and get used to.

JMO,

Rabbi

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-Mier Kahane

The 1911 was designed around a removable bushing and I really think this is the easiest system for disassembly in the 1911. I think the height of the swinging link is the key, guns designed without it disassemble fine without a bushing and the whole upper unit comes off, then the recoil spring and guide can easily be removed to the rear without using paperclips stuck through the rod to capture the spring.

I agree with the ease of disassembling bushing type pistols as opposed to the bull barreled ones. I guess the only reason for bull barrels is to add weight to the gun. In terms of accuracy, there is no clear cut winner since in this case, fitting is the most important.