I'll leave the discussion on bull barrel vs bushing/barrel to those that really know. I will say with some confidence, that for all but serious competition shooters, the difference in accuracy between the two, if there is one, is miniscule for all practical purposes.

You might consider the SA Trophy Match. Its in the TRP family and uses a barrel with bushing. It also has adjustable, target sights, and is manufacturerd from stainless steel. Best of all its a couple hundred $$ cheaper than the TRP model with the adjustable sights.

 

As stated - I as well think the TM is a better value and just as accurate IMHO. The only other choice that I am aware of is to order a SA Custom Carry. A bit more than a TRP but built to the same performance - fit and function specs as the SA TRP PRO. Lot of pistol for the money so I understand (I do not have a Custom Carry or a Pro)

My TM and TRP are ummm the same in accuracy - now that is in my hands - no idea what the difference is from a fixed rest. Both shoot 5 shot groups that I can cover with a quarter at 15 yards - (I can not see past that far and shoot accurately)

As for Bull versus Bushing barrels. Here is what I have found out. Both are comperable in accurcy - Advantages of the bushing - after say 30,000 rounds just replace the bushing. With a bull barrel - may need to replace the slide and refit the barrel to the slide. Not cheap - Fitted bushing cost $40.00

 

I've got a SA GI Champion with the Bull barrel and a couple of Colts with the bushing and I can't tell a difference either way. I do however like the looks of the bushing better and will probably not buy another bull barreled 1911.

 

I have a 4" bull barrel Wilson 1911 and several 5" bushing barrel Wilsons. I enjoy shooting them all and don't really prefer one type over the other. FWIW, the little 4" bull barrel gun seems to shoot as well as the 5" bushing barrel guns but that could just be normal variances.

 

Hi

Let me state right off the bat, that I'm a bullseye shooter. We shoot at a 1 inch target at 50 yards. (x ring). I see no purpose to a six inch 1911 with a bull barrel. The bushing fit what everyone uses to achieve accuracy. The six inch slide is better for recoil and for a longer sight radius. The longer sight radius give you more useful sight picture. In order to make use of the six inch slide, you need the bushing.l

My gun smith is even making a few compensated 1911's with bushing barrels.

Later

 

6 inch Bull Barrel

I have a catalog and I was looking at the 6 inch target and the cat indicates the long slide target gun only comes with a bull barrel and no bushing. I saw one at a dealer and it was bushungless. That was one reason I was curious. I will check out the SA Trophy Match.

cal

Hi

Let me state right off the bat, that I'm a bullseye shooter. We shoot at a 1 inch target at 50 yards. (x ring). I see no purpose to a six inch 1911 with a bull barrel. The bushing fit what everyone uses to achieve accuracy. The six inch slide is better for recoil and for a longer sight radius. The longer sight radius give you more useful sight picture. In order to make use of the six inch slide, you need the bushing.l
My gun smith is even making a few compensated 1911's with bushing barrels.

Later

 

The Trophy Match Longslide and the traget Longslide both have bull barrels. the slides are cut for a bushing - so you could be the longslide and fit a new barrel and bushing. Fusion Firearms has some great barrels at decent prices.

 

The bull barrel does not increase accuracy. It simply adds weight and slows down the unlocking very slightly and gives a little less "perceived recoil". Some folks like it and some don't. I happen to like them. A match barrel increases accuracy due to the fact that it is fitted more closely to eliminate play. Most match grade barrels will also have a smoother interior finish and more accurately gauged interior dimensions. A stock Springfield barrel is plenty accurate enough for most shooters if it is properly fit.

 

Spot on, and well said.

OP: Question 1 to my knowledge no. Both should be as accurate if properly fitted. You will shoot out the rifling before you will wear out the bull barrel to slide fit.

Question 2 shooter assistive features will help you harness the guns accuracy. Adjustable sights and a light, creep free trigger are your biggest assets. The springfield trophy match or the trp operator fit your bill nicely. I have both and give the edge to TM only due to the target sights and very slighty better trigger. Either will serve very well. It depends on what roll you want the pistol to fill. Good luck!

 

I will tell you that I have a Kimber 4" with a bull barrel that had a very tight fit when it was new. After 2,000 round there is movement in the bull barrel when the slide is locked up and the accuracy has declined. I will never go with a bull barrel again. At least if your bushing wears out, you can just replace the bushing.

 

I have a Champion 4" bull barrel and a S&W 4 1/4" with standard barrel and bushing. The bull barrel has noticeably less muzzle flip and less felt recoil due to the added weight up front. Because of that I choose to carry the Champion for CCW.

 

I have a kind of off-topic question for you guys,

I'm thinking of buying a Springfield Operator TRP which comes with a bull barrel. I would really like to switch to a bushing barrel, what kind of fitting would be necessary?

 

I did exactly what you are asking about this weekend by replacing my old Springfield loaded's ported V12 bull barrel with a Springfield USGI barrel and guide rod and bushing set up I bought from Chuck on this forum.

Everything went together with no fitting and locked up very well. It shot better and more accuratley than I had anticipated and had no malfuctions.

I used 230 grain WWB, S&B, and WWB JHP personel protection ammo without any issues.

This was just my experience, Others may vary.

 

The slide is milled for a bushing - so stand barrel fitting issues would prevail to install a bushing and barrel.

 

Thanks for the response!

 

If you take your bull barrel out - you will see that the front ID area of the slide is miled to accept a barrel bushing.

 

Both systems are accurate and reliable.

 

Accuracy is the same for bull and bushing, you get a little less muzzle flip with a bull barrel. The only advantage to a bull barrel is that you reduce the number of parts, by not having a bushing. I have a 5'' bull barrel and a 4'' bull barrel both with supported and ramped, that's why I go with bull barrels the supported chamber. I really don't believe there is that much weight difference between a bull barrel and a barrel and bushing, but I have never weighted the 2 and compared them.

 

There's an interesting article in the Feb 2010 edition of Handloader on bull barrels in 1911's.