Best aftermarket barrel for a full length .45 acp 1911 (kimber custom II)

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Ace604

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Looking to figure out what barrel to buy for the kimber.. I know it has a match barrel already but im guessing there is much better to be acquired out there. Again its a full length. Thanks for the input.
 
Not sure how much would be gained in fitting a new barrel to a Kimber,Im sure that the factory barrel is pretty good as it is,but if youre set on doing this,I would go for a Barsto or a Kart.Also,get a gunsmith who knows what hes doing to do this.
 
I would go with the Kart.

One caution though: they (all 1911 match barrels) are a very long way from "drop in fit" - including the ones called "drop in barrels". I have built several 1911s and am currently modifying the frame significantly on one of mine in 5 places...and I would seriously hesitate to fit a match barrel. If you are not 100% confident in your abilities, or are not prepared for significant frustration and tedium as you figure it out and file a few thousandths at a time and fit it over and over, I would get a 1911-specific gunsmith to do it for you.

Barrels will run you around $200-250, plus import costs, plus maybe another hundred for fitting. You will also probably want a bushing lapped to the barrel. I would budget roughly $500-700 in total.
 
A good one won't drop in without fitting. Use a gunsmith or study up and do it yourself. 1911 barrels aren't like modern designs and replacing one is far more complicated. Be ready to spend $200ish for a quality barrel.
 
Oh I will get it fitted by a pro without a doubt, have never touched anything gunsmith wise. Thanks for the estimations on prices, just what i was hoping to see. My issue is that I would imagine my barrel will get shot out before long doing ipsc and ipsc practice n such and I should look for a quality replacement.
 
Ehhh I'd be careful calling 45acp rifling worn. It's pretty shallow to begin with and sometimes looks worn compared to other kinds.

I'm no expert but if I ventured a guess I'd say atleast 25,000 and probably like 100,000 if you only shot lead.
 
Wow. Well thats why I asked haha, had no idea of ballpark on them. Good to know. Always shooting FMJ 230 gr. Appreciate the input.
 
Ace604 said:
Oh I will get it fitted by a pro without a doubt, have never touched anything gunsmith wise. Thanks for the estimations on prices, just what i was hoping to see. My issue is that I would imagine my barrel will get shot out before long doing ipsc and ipsc practice n such and I should look for a quality replacement.
Click to expand...

A properly fitted 1911 barrel should last 80,000 to 100,000 rounds before wearing out, when shot with full power jacketed loads - the only sign of wear in a properly fitted barrel is loss of velocity. This from an interview with Larry Vickers on the life span of 1911 barrels in US SOCOM service. I have a 9mm M&P with close to 40,000 rounds on it and it will still put 10 rounds in a 3x5 card at 15m with me shooting it, and I'm no great shakes. Incidentally 9mm barrels wear out faster than 45 barrels due to higher pressures and velocities. Bluntly unless you're burning 5,000 jacketed rounds a month or more, barrel life should not be a concern with 1911 handguns for many years. Use of lead reloads would extend the life of a barrel.
 
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Appreciate all the info guys, great to hear that I dont have to replace the barrel nearly as often as expected. Haha yeah that amount would be nice :p Maybe one day lol.
 
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