[Striker2237]

If you really want to argue about it bushings can fail
I see no cons to the bull barrel

Cost and serviceability. You can’t fit a bull at home unless you have machine tools.

 

[yeti]

On a shorter slide I prefer bull barrel for reliability & better controlled pairs.

Pie is good too!

 

[Bigdaddymike]

Have both, love both, get one (or more) of each, you'll be HAPPY!

 

[US1911]

Cost and serviceability. You can’t fit a bull at home unless you have machine tools.

^^^Excellent point!

Barrel bushings can be affordably fit by Pros (and DIYers) to improve accuracy. If it wears out, fit another. Barrel accuracy being equal, how can a bushingless pistol’s accuracy be improved without an oversized barrel or milling a new slide. When accuracy declines on a bushingless pistol, it’ll be more costly to correct. Not like it really matters for SD accuracy purposes, but I suspect the difference between bushing and bushingless pistols, has more to do with reliability from shorter barrels.

I’m not technical enough to know exactly why most sub Commander size 1911’s are bushingless, but I suspect that part of the equation is the shorter barrel length as it relates to barrel rise out of battery. Seems like the shorter barrel has less room to complete its cycle, with a bushing, combined with a weak recoil spring, that could increase the potential for malfunctions (less room for the slide to gain momentum).

I dig barrel bushing myself, but if a manufacturer chooses to forego bushings on certain size pistols, then I assume they have a very good engineering reason for doing so. In which case, if I dig their pistol, I’ll buy it, regardless of whether or not it has a barrel bushing.

A personalization advantage of the barrel bushing, is that you could have “Striker” engraved on it.

 

[Striker2237]

^^^Excellent point!

Barrel bushings can be affordably fit by Pros (and DIYers) to improve accuracy. If it wears out, fit another. Barrel accuracy being equal, how can a bushingless pistol’s accuracy be improved without an oversized barrel or milling a new slide. When accuracy declines on a bushingless pistol, it’ll be more costly to correct. Not like it really matters for SD accuracy purposes, but I suspect the difference between bushing and bushingless pistols, has more to do with reliability from shorter barrels.

I’m not technical enough to know exactly why most sub Commander size 1911’s are bushingless, but I suspect that part of the equation is the shorter barrel length as it relates to barrel rise out of battery. Seems like the shorter barrel has less room to complete its cycle, with a bushing, combined with a weak recoil spring, that could increase the potential for malfunctions (less room for the slide to gain momentum).

I dig barrel bushing myself, but if a manufacturer chooses to forego bushings on certain size pistols, then I assume they have a very good engineering reason for doing so. In which case, if I dig their pistol, I’ll buy it, regardless of whether or not it has a barrel bushing.

A personalization advantage of the barrel bushing, is that you could have “Striker” engraved on it.

I’ll fully admit the “BROWN” and “WILSON” on the end of my fullsize guns is a badass touch. Great points on the above, I also don’t care too much as evidenced by the fact I have a bunch of bushing and bull guns. I DO perfer bull/comped guns though if given a choice but I have carried a bushing gun for a while. The T3 to be exact while my Wilson was having the comp added, I just made sure to keep it wet and if you that it runs 100%.

Best in terms of flexibility would be a threaded bushing barrel since you can add a comp or can as wanted as I do on my Browns Ultimate in flexibility and recoil IMO would be a threaded bull barrel.

 

[Lab4Us]

Technically, I can disassemble either style very quickly. It’ s the reassembly of the non-bushing style that drives me nuts about half the time. The other half, the slide stop pops right in while I’m trying to contort my left hand to hold the slide in place.

 

[Grandpas50AE]

Technically, I can disassemble either style very quickly. It’ s the reassembly of the non-bushing style that drives me nuts about have the time. The other half, the slide stop pops right in while I’m trying to contort my left hand to hold the slide in place.

Use your right hand to hold the slide in place, and it will be easy for your left hand to pop the slide stop in place. I use the power of both hands to position the slide, then hold in place with right hand, leaving left hand free to slip the slide stop pin into place.

 

[panzerr]

Bushings are harder to take apart and more likely to be damaged and worn out by incorrect handling, they also are less reliable and have more recoil. I always perfer a bull barrel when legal for competition due to the speed advantage and also for reliability.

Bushings more difficult to take apart? it looks easier to me. On my Bull barrel guns I had to hold the slide back in order to push out the slide stop and that was always kind of a pain in the ass.

What do you mean by incorrect handling?

 

[apipeguy]

Both types seem to me to be equally as easy to disassemble but in different ways.

 

[JB6464]

Bushings are harder to take apart and more likely to be damaged and worn out by incorrect handling, they also are less reliable and have more recoil.

What , less reliable ?
With all the 1911's that's been built and survived multiple World Wars and Conflicts for over the last 100+ years , I would say that the 1911 bushing design has been pretty damn reliable and has proven itself without a doubt .

 

[JimF4M1s]

Personally prefer the bushing with reverse crown but I have both. The bull barrel might look a bit cleaner. After a few go rounds, take down is nothing.

 

[chrysanthemum]

Just curious.

I might be the odd thinker here (wouldn't be a first time), but my preference is based on barrel length and sometimes caliber (e.g., 10mm power or greater).

Anyone else have a preference that goes one way for compact designs (and more potent chamberings), but then goes the other way for 5" barrels and traditional chamberings?

 

[drail]

A bull barrel gun will unlock slightly slower and it feels slightly different from a stock bushing barrel. The recoil energy is still there but it is spread out over a longer period of time so it "feels" softer. I prefer bull barrels. The added weight helps keep the muzzle down a tiny bit.

 

[JB6464]

Although I have zero issues and reliability with my bull barrel setup on my 45acp Colt Defender , it is still a pain in the a** to assemble and disassemble compared to my bushing 1911's .
I only deal with it because I need a compact gun for a backup and I prefer an auto over a revolver .

 

[chrysanthemum]

On a really short-barreled 45acp 1911, I would think that a recoil spring retaining plug (if part of the gun's design) would be under so much pressure (and require similar pressure to re-assemble), that it might be as big of a disassembly/re-assembly challenge as a similar gun with a bull barrel.

Never personally attempted such a comparison (never handled such a gun), but I have visions of a recoil spring retaining plug shooting across the room at considerable velocity. But then again, my thumb strength is no greater than average; so that may explain this "apocalyptic vision".:biglaugh: (Long ago, I remember my cat's reaction when a retaining plug went flying across the room ... the cat didn't want to re-enter that room afterwards).

I'd also think (?) that on such a short barreled gun, the retaining plug would need to be open-ended to allow for a sufficiently long guide rod. Not certain about this; just trying to logically think things through...with glass of wine in hand, not a 1911.

 

[Striker2237]

Bushings more difficult to take apart? it looks easier to me. On my Bull barrel guns I had to hold the slide back in order to push out the slide stop and that was always kind of a pain in the ass.

What do you mean by incorrect handling?

Bushing dance vs just taking it apart, I’ll link the video again.

Incorrect like rotating the bushing around the barrel while still in full battery. That will wear on the fit a lot when dirty, you want to pull the side back slightly and even then you are still rotating the bushing in the slide every time and wearing it there. ALL of this is avoided with a bull barrel.

https://youtu.be/CdvXsUXF-gI

 

[Striker2237]

What , less reliable ?
With all the 1911's that's been built and survived multiple World Wars and Conflicts for over the last 100+ years , I would say that the 1911 bushing design has been pretty damn reliable and has proven itself without a doubt .

Yes. A bull barrel is stronger, faster, simpler, more expensive and more reliable. Period. Bushings are fine but not as good and flat out much harder to do at all once you drop below 4.25 inch slides.

 

[JB6464]

Yes. A bull barrel is stronger, faster, simpler, more expensive and more reliable. Period. Bushings are fine but not as good and flat out much harder to do at all once you drop below 4.25 inch slides.

They may be stronger and with the added barrel weight it may help keep the recoil down but I don't buy the more reliable part at all .
I understand the reason for bull barrels with 1911's shorter than the Commander (4.25") length but in a Commander or Govt series I have never seen a reliability issue with a bushing unless it's User Error or has been modified in some way by an inexperienced gunsmith .

 

[Ytown1911]

Back to the OP - if you want a WC in 4”, it will be a bull or flanged barrel (4.1”). If you want a bushing barrel it will be 4.25”. Find which one you like best by holding it, manipulating it, etc if possible (may not be a WC depending on availability but you will still get an idea about balance and feel). Then - order whichever one you want. Maybe it’s pretty. Maybe it’s in stock. Maybe it is any one of a hundred reasons. Make sure you LIKE IT.

Bushing or bull doesn’t really matter. Have meaningful practices with it using time-tested drills and enjoy the hell out of it. It won’t fail you. If it does, they’ll repair it for free. Quickly.

Bushings, bull barrels, slide length, recoil mitigation, all that jazz people posted is fine but doesn’t mean a hill of beans if you #1) don’t like the gun but you ordered one based on what someone else posted/thought and #2) you don’t have meaningful and frequent practice with it.

You will give yourself the greatest advantage not in worrying about its configuration, but in focusing on your PRACTICES. This is true with ANY gun you possess.

Now order and hit the range

 

[mil spec]

I have really enjoyed this thread since I am currently planning a Wilson compact or a commander build. Just when I think you know everything about 1911's, I learn more. Lots of great information.