what's so different about "match" barrels?

[darko]

I never quite understood the term... is it an industry accepted standard of some sort, or are manufacturers free to call em whatever they want?

If I have a match barrel/chamber in a 1911 does it mean it'll be more fussy about the kind of ammo it shoots?

Thanks

 

[Bud45223]

Match barrels are manufactured oversize in the critical areas so that they can be fitted to the particular firearm. The chambers are cut short so they also can be cut to the proper length after it has been fitted to a particular slide and frame.

 

[darko]

So if your pistol is advertised as coming with a "match barrel" all it means is that each barrel is individually fitted to each gun?

 

[Bud45223]

Yes, and that fitting if done properly should result in a accurate firearm. Also a good trigger job helps a lot.

 

[darko]

So depending on how each manufacturer cuts/finishes the chamber, it can also mean that the gun will be picky about what kind of ammo it shoots?

 

[FN]

tighter tolerances, better accuracy

 

[EdGCNM]

Keep in mind that much/most of the inherent accuracy in a 1911 comes from the fit of the barrel to the barrel bushing and the slide -- you can have a great barrel, but if it is sloppy in lockup with the bushing/slide/pin it's going to be inaccurate because the barrel won't remain stationary during firing. This is why bullseye shooters in the U.S. pay big bucks to have everything fitted by a specialist gunsmith for their wad and ball .45's. They need their guns to group ten shots under a couple of inches at 50 yards. And there's a lot more than the barrel involved.