Bushing or Bull? - AR15.COM

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

Posted: 8/1/2011 5:50:14 PM EDT

I was looking at the Springer Champions and I noticed the lack of bushing in the newer ones. I had an older Champion years ago with a GI plug/bushing and that was a 100% reliable gun. I'm an idiot for selling it.
I'm not exactly a newb when it comes to 1911s, but I'm going confess right now I have no idea about bull barrels/bushing-less systems on these guns. I also notice some Kimbers have them, as I'm sure many others do.

What are the benefits or perceived benefits of this over the standard setup.

What do YOU prefer

Posted: 8/1/2011 7:43:02 PM EDT

[#1]

fewer parts to fit(from mfg perspective); i don't know myself.
i have a newer champion(w/bull)and i noticed it is a ramped barrel. i know SA moved to ramped barrels for all barrels shorter than 5" but not why.
i just picked up a new to me trp operator(standard w/bull)but the original owner had a nowlin barrel fitted by SA so he could go to nationals w/it.
i have a compact from the 90s(bushing barrel) and it's incredibly accurate; not w/me shooting but an instructor i had once!

i'm sure you'll get a better explanation shortly.

Posted: 8/1/2011 8:59:28 PM EDT

[#2]

I would prefer if my Lightweight Champion Operator had a bushing setup both for ease of disassembly (I hate that little clip) as well as the ability to put an extended, threaded barrel on it. Using a bushing design is better for a silencer. Something about the durability of the barrel lugs maybe? I don't really remember. Might be worth some more investigating. I seem to remember the source being good, but I can't remember where I heard it or why it makes a difference.

Posted: 8/2/2011 3:23:08 AM EDT

[#3]

One less part to fit, One less part to break, less reciprocating mass and more non reciprocating mass to help tame recoil.

Posted: 8/2/2011 3:42:31 AM EDT

[#4]

Johnny spoke of the little clip(i've heard this before)but i don't know what everyone is talking about.
when i take mine down i: pull the slide stop, remover slide, push the recoil spring plug(one piece w/spring attached, like a glock)guide=done.

Posted: 8/2/2011 3:53:03 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Johnny spoke of the little clip(i've heard this before)but i don't know what everyone is talking about.
when i take mine down i: pull the slide stop, remover slide, push the recoil spring plug(one piece w/spring attached, like a glock)guide=done.

I do the same.

Posted: 8/2/2011 4:24:52 AM EDT

[#6]

I have a friend who recently had a bull (bushingless) barrel installed by gunsmith in his SA GI. I saw the ransom rest target the smith fired after installation at 25 yards, and it was one ragged hole with one flyer. I checked the gun out, and surprisingly, there was a tiny bit of play between the muzzle and the slide.

He's happy with it.

Posted: 8/2/2011 7:21:32 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
One less part to fit, One less part to break, less reciprocating mass and more non reciprocating mass to help tame recoil.

That sounds like the company line, or selling point. Do you believe that it's an improvement? What do you think about em?

Posted: 8/2/2011 8:49:57 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
One less part to fit, One less part to break, less reciprocating mass and more non reciprocating mass to help tame recoil.

That sounds like the company line, or selling point. Do you believe that it's an improvement? What do you think about em?

You asked for the "perceived benefits".

A major improvement, no. I use the bull and lighten slide on my open gun and a bull on my ltd gun. Still up in the air on if I should have the GS mill out some material on the slide.

If lightened slides and bull barrels were not considered a improvement, they would be allowed in some of traditional rules of IDPA (5" cdp guns) and USPSA (single stack).

Posted: 8/2/2011 12:41:47 PM EDT

[#9]

One perceived benefit is that bushings just look better than bull barrels, call me old fashioned.

Posted: 8/3/2011 10:43:48 AM EDT

[#10]

Did some research into this a few years back for a build I was doing. The Bushing has a slight edge in accuracy and the Bull has more weight out front so it has a slight edge in shot to shot recovery.

Posted: 8/8/2011 4:05:55 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a bushingless barrel Springfield. I cannot say that it is any better or any worse. It just requires a different takedown.reassembly proceedure.

Posted: 8/12/2011 12:00:17 PM EDT

[#12]

I had the same question not too long ago, the following seemed to be the answer

Bushing can be replaced after 10K + rounds on the cheap if necessary. To my understanding the barrel and/or slide have to be replaced on a bushing gun. However, if your not going 10+k rounds with your gun, it's a wash IMO.

Posted: 8/12/2011 3:10:04 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I had the same question not too long ago, the following seemed to be the answer

Bushing can be replaced after 10K + rounds on the cheap if necessary. To my understanding the barrel and/or slide have to be replaced on a bushing gun. However, if your not going 10+k rounds with your gun, it's a wash IMO.

That's about the best way I've seen it explained. Kinda like the lining on yourcaliper brackets in your car. Mush cheaper to replace a worn out bushing than a slide and a barrel. Barrels do wear out, sometimes slides. Raceguns are like racecars. In a carry gun, I wouldn't worry about it much. Given that its a. Springer, they got a lifetime warranty so in the event you do wear it out, they will fix it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bushing or Bull?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

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