TK66 Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Hi Guys, Im doing my first decent quality 2011 build (CK Frame, Brazos Lightning Slide) and I'm looking for some advice on a barrel. I've used drop in barrels in cheap builds that were loose and not very accurate. I see some barrels come with the lower lugs cut and link already installed. How can they fit the lower lugs and link without ever having it installed first? I'm leaning towards a gunsmith fit barrel and buying a few tools to install it correctly.. Any recommendations from an experienced builder would be appreciated. Thanks, TK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38super Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I've used Kart, Briley, STI and Storm Lake barrels. All are are very good, the STI bore (6in 0.40) was slightly disappointing (chatter marks) but still shoots well. Drop in barrels are Las Vegas odds. Chris at Blindhogg has a very good barrel install instructions on his website. Go slow when removing metal, prussian blue or a sharpie marker can be used to show engagement or clearance. Usual barrel link is a #3, the hole center dims are around 0.287" but don't quote me. Don't be afraid to elongate the barrel link slide stop hole so the slide stop pin rides on the barrel lower legs (usually doesn't take much). A set of swiss files (jewelers), sandpaper (including crocus cloth), dremel with sanding rolls and cratex, barrel lug file. My pref is a tight fit needing moose load break in rounds, use cold blue to show the wear or binding areas. A well fit barrel will have a softer sound when cycled. Best of luck, much satisfaction doing your own work. http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/barrel.htmle) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I've had very good luck with Kart EZ-Fit and BarSto SemiFit barrels. Ed Brown "drop in" barrels are a joke. You have to take as much off them as a gunsmith fit barrel. There is no problem with finished lower lugs, as long as your frame is in spec. On the Kart EZ-Fit I did not have to touch the lower lugs. I only had to fit the hood and file down the upper lug blocks to get the correct engagement. On the BarSto SemiFit, I had to trim the hood sides and length and I had to reradius the ramp up to the lower lugs for smooth operation. Fortunately, both frames were in spec and I did not have to change the supplied #3 link. I used a .200" slide stop in both instances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Hello: Some of the barrels will take more fitting than others. Barsto is one that takes a lot of fitting. Good barrel just takes a long time to fit correctly. Kart, Schuemann, and STI are good barrels as well as SVI. Pick one and fit it correctly and it will be a great shooter with the right load. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted December 31, 2016 Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 Does Kart offer EZ-fit in 9mm C/P ramp? I haven't been able to find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Yes, tk66, but not in a bull barrel. Here is their barrel list, from their Facebook page. BTW, I forgot they changed the name from EZ-Fit to Xact Fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted January 1, 2017 Author Share Posted January 1, 2017 Thanks ZZT! I hadn't planned on on a bull barrel. I was looking around at online stores with no luck. I'll call and see if I can buy direct. I didn't see their website but I did see their FB site that had their phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeC Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 FWIW, the only barrels I use are Kart Precision. To me consistency is the name of the game. Kart has proven to be the best in my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 5 hours ago, JoeC said: FWIW, the only barrels I use are Kart Precision. To me consistency is the name of the game. Kart has proven to be the best in my experience. Thanks for the reply. I've decided to go with the Kart Xact fit. My slide should be here tomorrow. I'm looking forward to this build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 (edited) I just finished up installing the barrel. KART was easy to deal with. I ordered it direct and got a 20% discount! Fitting was pretty straight forward, the hardest part was fitting the O.D of the bushing. Thanks for the help! TK Edited January 28, 2017 by TK66 correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted January 28, 2017 Author Share Posted January 28, 2017 Taking it apart for Cerakote.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullsi45 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 wehn my dad was buiding guns that all he would us. aslo i shoot with fred kart when he was living on long lisland ny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeC Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Glad to see you went with a Kart. I think you will be happy in the long run with the performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK66 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 This was from the first shots while test firing. I didn't have any sights mounted, I just used the top of the slide. 15yds. I think it's going to do pretty well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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