What caused this

Have a pic of the parts separated?What mfg?

Look for a swelled barrel from a squib round stuck in the barrel followed by another round.

Recoil spring installed backwards? Closed coil on last? Agree the barrel may be bulged and binding in the bushing.
Joe

My naked eye tells me the barrel has a bulge. As @Tackelbarry said, I could be wrong.

Does the bushing slide freely all the way down the barrel ?

yup I think you guys are right barrel looks bulged

You guys should be proud of yourselves as usually only a lonely widow could see such a small....."bulge"!!!

You are absolutely right about the swell. It is definitely there. Barrel outer diameter is 15.574 mm and swells to 15.586 mm. I assume this is definitely the problem?
I do not recall any squib loads during firing. In fact I was shooting at a target mounted on a hill and I could see every shot strike the dirt. I am nearly 100% positive that I had no squibs but at this point it really doesn't matter, I need a new barrel. If not a squib what else could have caused this? I'm curious because I reload & obviously made a mistake I need to avoid in the future.
Any suggestions as to where to buy a decent barrel? I have never needed to service this pistol (or any other 1911) since I bought it used in 1975. Will I need a new bushing too?

Boge said:

You guys should be proud of yourselves as usually only a lonely widow could see such a small....."bulge"!!!

Click to expand...

Haha

For a new barrel, it' all depends on what you want.

You can get a low priced one on Ebay, or a drop in, or a full gunsmith fit barrel.

Or if you are handy with hand tools, most people will say the Kart EZ fit barrel is the way to go.

The barrel I screwed up was accurate and I believe it had been fitted by a gunsmith. I would like to have my gun shoot the way it did before if I can afford it. I am pretty handy with tools I'll look into the Kart EZ fit barrels.
Thanks to everyone & especially to Tackleberry 45 for noticing the "bulge".

so next question - WHY is the barrel bulged?
Is there something stuck in it?

Inquiring minds, and all

Plenty of quality after-market barrels to choose from. I replaced the barrel in my Commander (as an upgrade not because of a problem) with a KART NM barrel. It was fit by a very good smith and has never given me a problem.

Grumpy

I think what was called EZ Fit, is now called something like XAct Fit?
I've been shooting one for over twenty years, and they are very good barrels.

My guess is there was lead buildup at some point that caused the bulge.

There are a number of things that can obstruct a barrel. I left a hunting rifle just outside the door of my cabin when I had my hands full, and had a Mud Dauber Hornet building a nest in it when I remembered leaving it outside 40 minutes later. Mud and Snow are obvious possibilities, as well as a insect or critter crawling into the barrel. Couldn’t begin to recall all the things I’ve found in range brass trying to hibernate through the winter, as well as spider egg sacks and cocoons. Anything obstructing your barrel could have bulged it!

Boge said:

You guys should be proud of yourselves as usually only a lonely widow could see such a small....."bulge"!!!

Click to expand...

thank you and bows , you are the best