Why change a barrel?

dfraser

dfraser

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Hi All,

I am just a weekend shooter at the range, but of course I like to hit what targets I am aiming at. Someone at the range mentioned that I would have an easier time acquiring and reacquiring the target if I change out the barrel to "Match grade".

I am questioning that tip,

When should someone need to change barrel (Other than the obvious worn out barrel replacement)? Does it really make a difference at the range?

I thought that recoil and sights were the only things to focus on.

Regards.
 
If you are just trying to hit targets and not get a very tight group then there is no need to change the barrel. But take this with a grain of salt, I just like to hit targets too and never have changed a barrel.
 
What firearm are we talking about here ?

What kind of shooting are you into ?

Some people will tell you to change the barrel, get a 500$ trigger, buy a $2,000.00 optic and other tricks like that... Depends what you're into I guess. I like my money to go down range accuratly, and I have never required any match grade barrel to do so.
 
It is a norinco 1911 government

That is the thing, I am hitting them somewhere in the whole circle target (10" approx) on the paper, right out of the box. According to the guy beside me, I should hit the small middle circle (3-4" dia) with a barrel change.

This is at about 25yards, and I do not too bad at 50yards too with it.
 
Pretty good shooting, but I'll let the 1911 specialists chime in, they will be better help than me on this specific subject.

Do barrel match help ? Absolutly
Are they necessary ? Depends of your goals

I don't do much targets anymore, I prefer to shoot steel and enjoy the sound of it :p
 
Honestly I would start with a trigger job. A match barrel is useless without a decent trigger. Then see how you do. If you do get a barrel then you need a match grade bushing, and there is almost always fitting involved. The thing is, is that it is a Norc. You could spend 5k on it and at the end of the day it's still a Norc. They are excellent value for the money and they shoot pretty good, but they are what they are, a nice cheap entry level gun. And to be honest you still don't know if it is the gun or if it's you
 
youi may or may not see an improvment with a drop in barrel. You probably would see an improvment if you had an oversize match barrel fit by a smith. BUT it all depends on whether you can shoot better then that level yourself. Find a friend at the range who can shoot that well and ask if you can try thier pistol. If you can't shoot a 3" group with it, you probably don't have a barrel problem.

Norcs are funny, some come in with quite good barrels and fitting, while others a much looser...it's a crap shoot. Still well worth it for the money, but if you want that level of accuracy you'd probably be better spending more money.
 
A stock 1911 should print within 4 inches at 25 yards. Many will shoot tighter. A match barrel properly fitted should produce
1 inch groups or less from a ransom at that distance. Practice with your stock barrel until you can hit within the 4 inch range consistently
before you fork out on a match barrel.
 
Best is to get someone that is a profiient to test your pistol, or put it on a rest and test the pattern. Depending how tight your barrel locks up affects accuracy too.

Most guns shoot better than their owners ever will. Cheapest fix is a mach grade bushing. A match barrel and fitting will cost more than your pistol.
 
I would spend my money on a trigger job, maybe better sights and ammo for practice. I'd also move away from that guy who was beside you. Your groups will be your teacher but you are the one who decides what's acceptable.
 
chances are you won't notice any difference between your so- called " match grade" barrel and a normal stock barrel- and on a norinco-? oh please, somebody is just trying very hard to get you to part with your money- if you want to go to match, get something like a les bauer or a tricked out colt, , Kimber, or take a look at what the other guys at that level are shooting- and leave the rinco at home or as a back- up gun- I've got a colt mk4/series 70 that's basically a ed brown except for the frame and it took a lot of bucks to get it to a shootable level-had I want to do it again, i'd go for a Kimber or that level and save a lot of dollars
 
I have several Norico 45s. They shot very well out of the box. All i did was ad adjustable sights and give them a trigger job.
NORINCO1911TARGET1.jpg


Last year I bought 3 of the new Norico 1911s in 9mm. They shot very poorly. Huge groups. The barrels were a sloppy fit. I replaced the barrels with new ones that needed just a little fitting. Now they shoot just fine.
 
If you can out shoot your pistol and your at the point where the barrel is your only hurdle I would say your doing pretty dam good.
 
Trigger job, ammo, then if you need a match gun just fork out the dough for an sti. With 1911's once you start messing with tight tolerances and etc, they become like a Ferrari. Maintenance. Keep the norc for fun and etc, it's looser fit keeps it shooting without downtime. Or just get a cz shadow. Lol
 
dfraser said:
Great Guys,

Where would I pick up a great upgrade trigger job kit for my norc government? I don't really know what it entails.

Thanks
Click to expand...

AFAIK it'll fit any 1911 bits and pieces, as well as any 1911 does (which usually means some hand fitting)...

You can also do the "poor man's trigger job": http://www.m1911.org/technic20.htm
 
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