I'm thinking of getting a Barsto barrel and they offer semi-fit and match fit. I'm not real clear on the difference other than one might need a gunsmith and the other definitely will. What sort of fitting is needed and why would you choose one over the other?

I really don't want to get into all the upgrades and custom work that is popular with these. Mine shoots great out of the box and it's good enough for me. I don't compete. I just want to suppress it.

I'm assuming the match fit would be the option if you had or wanted the CGW barrel bushing to ensure it's all as good as it can be, but maybe there is another reason I'm not aware of.

Thanks.

I had a factory threaded barrel fitted to my P01 and mostly the hood and lugs I believe need to be sanded until it locks up. I had a local smith do it for cheap that has a great reputation with cz’s fit mine while he was doing a Cajun pro kit at the same time. He said they are pretty easy to do as long as you go slow. There are also a few pretty decent videos on YouTube about it also.

I'm assuming that was a "semi-fit" barrel vs whatever Bar-sto means by match fit. I'll check with a local gunsmith to see what they would charge to fit either, but just wondering if there is a good reason to opt for one over the other in a non-match pistol.

I’d say the match fit is more geared toward those chasing accuracy as cz’s have such a cult following for competition and everyone is always looking for an edge on their competitors. You could always email them and ask what would be the best option for your application.

I talked to a local gunsmith. He said just get semi-fit as it would require less work. Match would need more machining.

Bar-Sto has a stellar rep for accuracy. *I* would opt for a match bbl & look at it as an investment in the gun.

No one has ever said, "I wish my gun were less accurate."  

Sometimes guys with super tight super accurate pistols have said, "I wish my gun was more reliable"

All of MY super-accurate guns run like a champ. Doesn't mean they're "super tight" either. Shoot a CZ Custom or Nighthawk to see the difference there.

More "had" than "has" - the last couple of times I went through them I had some issues, including once with a CZ97 barrel. I bouight a semi-fit, and it wouldn't fit at all - in the slide. More than that the barrel threads were so thin that some of them crumbled right off when unscrewing the factory-screwed-on thread protector. I had to ship the works to them for them to fit it, and even though I mentioned the barrel threading issue...they kind of ignored that. I had similar problems with a drop-in BHP barrel that they over-reamed the chamber on; every 5th or 6th shot would be way out of line due to excessive headspace. When I sent it back to them they blamed it on ME, like I was sitting there reaming things in my spare time and ruined their drop-in barrel. It wasn't accurate for shit. I wound up having them send a hard-fit BHP barrel to my gunsmith, who fit it to my BHP.

Sadly there's not a whole lot of players in town making CZ97 barrels, so you roll the dice and take your chances. Same with BHP barrels.

To be fair, the 97 barrel does print where I point it. Frankly, so does the factory barrel...I wouldn't have even considered another barrel for it if I hadn't wanted to put a can on it. The factory barrel, for me, shoots lights out.

Obviously YMMV!

Wow, this is really disappointing to hear. Bar-Sto, Nowlin, Wilson & Kart were the big dogs in aftermarket barrels for a long, long time. Sad to hear what they've dropped to.

Not what I want to hear but thanks for the info. With so few choices not sure what to do.

Give CZ Custom a call, see what they can do or say?

I mean, give them a shot. I'd probably go with sending the gun to them for them to fit it - that seems to generate better results. That way they can't say "you over-reamed the barrel" or any nonsense like that...

Quoted for Truth...

The only thing I need "Super Tight and Accurate" is the "Snatch I'm a Patchin'"... Other than that... it's likely a reliability problem in the short, medium, and long runnings...