Bar-Sto 'Semi-drop in' barrel

[JSGlock34]

I've been thinking about ordering a Bar-Sto barrel for my SA 'Loaded' 1911 and I've been looking at the 'semi drop in' version. I was just curious if anyone else has experience with this barrel and could post their impressions.

[rubberneck]

I've been thinking about ordering a Bar-Sto barrel for my SA 'Loaded' 1911 and I've been looking at the 'semi drop in' version. I was just curious if anyone else has experience with this barrel and could post their impressions.

Bartso makes top notch barrels but be forewarned there is a good bit of truth in the old joke that drop in barrels should be dropped in the mail with the gun to be fitted by a good smith. I'm my experience you aren't going to notice a big difference in accuracy from the stock barrel unless the original barrel was crap to begin with. Most of the accuracy is in how the barrel is fit.

[Rezarf2]

Bartso makes top notch barrels but be forewarned there is a good bit of truth in the old joke that drop in barrels should be dropped in the mail with the gun to be fitted by a good smith. I'm my experience you aren't going to notice a big difference in accuracy from the stock barrel unless the original barrel was crap to begin with. Most of the accuracy is in how the barrel is fit.

I agree with this.

Also most shooters won't be able to use all that new accuracy without lots of training and practice. Not saying YOU won't but most factory barrels are more accurate the shooter firing them.

Now to your original post, there is no such thing as a drop in barrel. There are a lot of very specific tolerances and systems to consider when "dropping" in a new barrel. Impossible... nope. Technical and skills needed... yup.

[Serpico1985]

OP,

I don't have any experience with barsto drop-in barrels however....

If you want to replace a factory barrel yourself and want to get a taste of "gunsmithing", I think the best way to go is the Kart EZ fit barrel.

It comes with 14 pages of instructions and make sure you get the EZ fit kit that is optional. The instructions are pretty simple yet to fully understand them is the challenge. It doesn't just say "do x then y then z". It tells you why to do x,y and z. It should also leave you with a much better understanding of the how and why's about barrel fitting. If you take your time and really try to understand the instructions and process, you will be left with a barrel that will give much longer and more consistent feeding and accuracy than a factory barrel. Some guys have turned out some really amazing groups out of those barrels.

Good luck!

[Uglyguns]

Bartso makes top notch barrels but be forewarned there is a good bit of truth in the old joke that drop in barrels should be dropped in the mail with the gun to be fitted by a good smith.

This.

You will save yourself a lot of trouble by getting it installed right the first time. There is more to it then just dropping in the barrel. G/L if you choose to do it yourself, let us know how it goes.

V/r
Uglyguns

[MPK9Cop]

I have to agree... Have it done by a good smith. It is not impossible to do yourself, but why take the chance.