Bushing Barrel in a Bull Barrel Set Up: 1911

[zoid 24]

I recently acquired a Springfield TRP with the Bull Barrel. 
I like it, but in the case I wanted to use this to shoot 
single stack division in USPSA it would have to make the
43oz weight limit. 

To experiment I took the bushing barrel set up out of my
Kimber and put it in the TRP. Dropped right in without any
fuss and seems to rack and cycle fine. And it makes the 
limit (over by 0.1 oz, with a full length guide rod).

But I don't want to test fire it and potentially ruin a new gun
until I get some more info on the matter.

Is there any reason this would NOT work? Any potential 
pitfalls or dangers? 

Your thoughts appreciated. I think there are a couple 1911
armorers and customizers here I hope can chime in.

Thanks!

[DargZ 5]

If it functions without any issues, you should be able to fire it.  You should confirm the barrel goes into battery.  I would try to see if snap caps will chamber without any issues before firing.  You will also need to transplant your recoil spring system from your Kimber as the bull barrel uses a reverse recoil spring system.

 

There are different style barrels.  I assume the Kimber and TRP are similar (most likely not ramped as 45 usually does not require it).  If the TRP has a ramped barrel, you would need to swap with a similarly ramped barrel.  I also assume both are the same barrel length.

 

I was told that there are 4 points of contacts, barrel lugs, hood, barrel feet to slide stop and barrel to bushing.  If any of these points are loose, it will impact accuracy.  The Kimber barrel may not be a great fit which may impact accuracy.  If you are looking to swap to a bushing barrel and increase accuracy, I would suggest fitting a match barrel.

 

I picked up a Kart EZ fit barrel kit for my Taurus 1911.  The accuracy with the stock barrel was merely ok but the Kart barrel has increased the lockup and the groupings with the Kart barrel are night and day.  There was definitely a ton of play with the stock Taurus barrel but there is no movement in the slide with the new barrel

 

Also, for USPSA single stack, you would definitely have to switch to a bushing barrel as bull barrels are not permitted in single stack.

 

I fall into customizer or tinkerer as I cannot leave well enough alone.  I'm sure there are professional gunsmiths or armorers who would be able to provide more insight.

[ronhonda 86]

Shoot L10 and buy a true bushing barrel 1911.

[zoid 24]

@Dargz, thanks for your response.  Helped me in making a decision in test firing it.

 

So the answer is: It works!  

 

Yeah I went ahead and tried it.  I couldn't think of how it would

not work.  Everything fit so perfectly and functioned fine.

 

So I put a couple down the pipe and after that went all out.

 

Here are the results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoots SUPER accurate.  Even more so then when this barrel

is in the Kimber which is really weird as I believe this barrel is

fit to the slide of the Kimber.  

 

And now it makes the 43oz weight limit.  So I'm pretty stoked.

Only problem is this Kimber is being sold, so I will have to get 

another barrel and that may not fit so proper, but at least I know

it can be done without issue.  

 

@ronhonda, I'm still not against buying another 1911!

[Shane45 807]

"I was told that there are 4 points of contacts, barrel lugs, hood, barrel feet to slide stop and barrel to bushing. If any of these points are loose, it will impact accuracy."

 

Conversely if some of these points are to tight, you could cause a premature failure.