Make sure that any barrel you order has the correct ramp style. There are two distinct "industry standard" configurations, and they are not interchangeable.

 

Make sure that any barrel you order has the correct ramp style. There are two distinct "industry standard" configurations, and they are not interchangeable.

That's what I had heard...what type does SA use? How do I tell the difference?

 

the easiest way to tell them apart is
on the wilson/nowlin, the surface under the ramp is flat.
on the para/clark , the surface under the ramp is rounded.
I don't have a clue which barrel SA uses.
you might check out schumann barrel website, I think he might have picture of both of them posted.

 

SA uses there own configuration...it is shorter, but similar to the Wilson Nowlin...I will try an get the measurements off two of my gun..I have a factory SA 9x23...and a custom 9x23 with a W/N ramp...

there are actually several different dimension out there...

the Wilson Nowlin, the Para/Clark, Lissner, older barsto and Springfield...

hang on..and I'll get the measurements for what I have..

 

9x23 may work in your existing barrel, try it before you go spending a bunch of money.

 

I didn't measure for precision..but from the edge of the link pinhole to the face of the ramp that contacts the frame...

W/N .340
Springfield .310

anyway..here is photo showing the two barrel ramp types..

the para/clark has a radius to it..so easy to tell the difference


side note..

38 super and 9x23 will fit in either of my barrels..whether you want to or should do it or not, I'll leave up to you..

 

Thanks for the info, guys

I will get it tomorrow night, and then be able to measure it firsthand.

I have a Colt 9x23 barrel, that I bought off Ebay a few months ago. A Win .38 Super cartridge indeed appears to fit in it quite nicely. I know there isn't that much performance difference between the Super & the 9x23, when handloaded. I was really more interested in a 9mm Parabellum barrel, for getting cheap(er) factory ammo when I'm too lazy to handload.

Should I want more umph than a Super, I can always just dig out my 10mm

Of course, a .30 Luger barrel might be pretty entertaining, too!

 

The easy way is to call SA and get the barrels that you want from them and they are pretty much drop ins. If you want a better barrel, call Bar-Sto or other custom makers and order it for your particular gun.

 

Well, I shot the Super today, and it ran quite nicely. Testing was limited, as I was shooting a couple other guns during the same trip, but it ran without a hitch.

I shot both Win white box 38 Super+P, and Silvertip +P's. No problems, and as accurate as anything else I shot. It's not practical to shoot off a rest at this range, so that will have to wait for another trip to see how it does for 25 yards accuracy.

Just for kicks, I picked up a box of ".38 Automatic" ammo from the Old Western Scrounger and gave it a try to see how the SA would handle the lighter loads. These light loads are intended for the early Colts. They worked the SA just fine, no problems at all.

I also tried stuffing the magazine with nine Silvertips, and one in the chamber. Again, no problems of any sort.

This one is definitely a keeper

 

One of the shops in my area has about 30 boxes of WW 38 auto and I pick them up when I need them for 9.00 a box when I need 38 super and I didn't have time to reload. They shoot well and I've never had a problem in my super or my SA 9x23. Plus I just leave the brass on the groud because I don't thick its worth reloading after I run it through the 9x23.

 

AN UPDATE TO THIS THREAD

Just got off the phone with Debbie at Springfield Custom shop, just to clear this thread up a little. She said Springfield uses a Wilson/Nowlin style ramp/frame cut NOT their own style. She said anyone wanting to do a 9x23 conversion on their 9mm or .38 super 1911 could do so for $175.00 or $350.00 for a "match" conversion. I didn't ask what the specific differences were between the two. I think as soon as I pick up my .38 super Milspec and put a few hundred rounds through it to shake out any problems (if any) it will be on its way to have a 9x23 match barrel fitted. chad

 

Re: 9x23 Winchester conversion

Debbie .........said anyone wanting to do a 9x23 conversion on their 9mm or .38 super 1911 could do so for $175.00 or $350.00 for a "match" conversion. I didn't ask what the specific differences were between the two.

I exchanged E-mail with her a while back and the conversion was $150 then. One of the things that they did was put in a firing pin bushing. I figure that it also included reaming the barrel, some new springs & test-fire (maybe), and a new magazine.

I later asked if I could retain my 9mm barrel and get a 9x23 barrel too. She said that I could, but she didn't quote the additional cost, as I recall.

I suspect that the difference now is the cost to supply & fit a match 9x23 barrel, vs. using the existing 9/38 barrel.

Good shooting!