If youre perceptive, youll notice some distinct divergences in muzzle design.
So, whats the difference between a 1911 with a bushingless bull barrel or bushing barrel?
The Differences
The bushings job in a standard-configuration 1911 is to help keep the barrel properly aligned.
When comparing a bull barrel to a standard 1911 with a bushing barrel, do you know the advantages or why you might want one instead of the other?
Bull barrels became more common as the size of 1911s shrunk.
However, a bull barrel worked just fine.
But things have changed from those early days.
TheSpringfield Armory TRP(left) uses a barrel bushing while the Emissary (right) uses a bull barrel. Either set up, when built properly, can provide excellent accuracy.
Today, a bull barrel is not just found on short-barreled 1911s.
In fact, many manufacturers use bull barrels on 4.25 and 5 barreled guns.
The Why
There are pros and cons for both barrel designs.
Note how much thicker the bull or coned barrel (top) is compared to a traditional bushing barrel (bottom). The bull barrel tapers from the muzzle toward the chamber.
Lets start with the traditional bushing barrel.
On the negative side, a bushing barrel pistol has a light front end.
That means more muzzle rise, which translates to slightly slower recoil recovery time and back on the target.
The field-stripped Springfield TRP shows the slide, barrel and barrel bushing. The barrel bushing helps keep the barrel aligned.
The pros and cons of a bull barrel are almost the inverse of a bushing barrel.
The cons are what you would expect: More complex takedown, heavier pistol and fewer replacement options available.
Is one bang out more accurate than the other?
The field-strippedSpringfield Armory Emissaryemploys a bull barrel that keeps the barrel aligned by mating to the inside of the slide.
Either barrel jot down is capable of superb accuracy, if built properly.
Match grade pistols of both barrel types when they go head-to-head on accuracy are mostly identical.
Both can be built to operate smoothly.
The bull barrel (right) from the Emissary is much thicker this is because the bull barrel mates up with the inside of the Emissary slide.
Taking It Down
Bushing barrel 1911s fieldstrip differently depending on the recoil spring set up.
1911 pistols use a use a recoil spring and recoil spring plug.
Others use a recoil rod that requires a slightly different technique to fieldstrip.
Some require use of a hex wrench to first disassemble the recoil rod, then remove the barrel bushing.
With a bull barrel pistol, you will need a tool to hold the compressed recoil spring.
Typically, a paperclip is employed to trap the recoil spring so the pistol can be disassembled.
Conclusion
So, is one or the other better?
That question is more of a personal choice as to what you like better.
The question you gotta ask yourself is: What is your intended use of the gun?
Some shooters like the added weight of a bull barrel and how it feels when cycling.
Some prefer the simplicity of a bushing barrel gun.
Life is full of choices.
There are plenty of choices with 1911s, too.
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