SVI 45ACP BARREL FOR MY NEXT GUN;AET OR NOT AET?

[Canuck63]

Hi all,

yesterday I've been ti the Italian SVI importer (the current Modified Div.World Champion...way to go Gavino! ) to order a new Infinity standard pistol for the next season and I couldn't make a decision when it came to choosing the barrel;it sure will be a "ribbed" one but I was a little bit shy as to order an AET-coated one because in the past I've heard stories of these barrels not performing well on many open guns.Gavino told me that it wasn't because of the finish,which I think it's there to reduce drags and wear,rather because of other issue with the rifling and the comps,IIRC.

Could you help me and make up my mind for good before Sandy will tackle the gun?I know I'll have to wait for a few months before it'll make it to Italy but I'd like to give Gavino and Sandy a 120% precise view of the gun I'd like!

TIA

Manny

[All-Gator]

My open pistol has a 9x19 AET barrel which consistently produces inch and a half groups at 25 yards...off of a sandbag support. There has been no fall off after about 10,000 rounds.

A-G

[L9X25]

That should be determined by which projectiles you intend to shoot. If you plan to shoot inexpensive lead or plated projectiles, I would recommend getting a conventionally rifled (non-AET) barrel. If you intend to shoot first quality jacketed projectiles, go with the AET.

With top quality projectiles the AET is the best barrel for accuracy, but it does not always perform as well when the projectiles used are undersized or soft. The conventionally rifled barrels have more pronounced rifling and can compensate for poor quality projectiles better.

[wide45]

Why are you getting .45ACP for standard division?

If you can get .40, it is a better choice. Magazines will hold a lot more rounds, and ammunition costs less.

The AET barrel would be a very good choice for .40

Edited November 21, 2008 by wide45

[Canuck63]

Why are you getting .45ACP for standard division?

If you can get .40, it is a better choice. Magazines will hold a lot more rounds, and ammunition costs less.

The AET barrel would be a very good choice for .40

Hi Wide,

I already own a .40 SVI...I simply don't like the caliber...I've used a .45 in the past season and nearly made it to B from D (with only four matches under my belt!)...and many an alpha would have been a Charlie if it wasn't for the big,neat holes left by my 45s (round-nosed swcs) .

It's probably me but each time I shoot a bud's .40 I've got this feeling that this caliber is,as they say in Argentina, "ni chicha ni lemonada",i.e. it ain't neither booze nor lemonade!

Thank you for asking and for the heads-up!

Manny

[Canuck63]

That should be determined by which projectiles you intend to shoot. If you plan to shoot inexpensive lead or plated projectiles, I would recommend getting a conventionally rifled (non-AET) barrel. If you intend to shoot first quality jacketed projectiles, go with the AET.

With top quality projectiles the AET is the best barrel for accuracy, but it does not always perform as well when the projectiles used are undersized or soft. The conventionally rifled barrels have more pronounced rifling and can compensate for poor quality projectiles better.

Hi L9x25

thanks a million for your reply...I either use very good lead projectiles and first quality FMJs,but I mainly use the former!

Cheers

Manny

[wide45]

Reading your original post, I assumed you were in Italy. I'm not sure Italians can own a military caliber like .45ACP.

If you are in Canada, the capacity thing kind of goes out the window.

[Canuck63]

Reading your original post, I assumed you were in Italy. I'm not sure Italians can own a military caliber like .45ACP.

If you are in Canada, the capacity thing kind of goes out the window.

In fact I'm a Canadian citizen but I've been living in Italy thirty years now!Yes,Italians can own a military caliber like ,45ACP...they can own ANY caliber actually,excepting the 9mm Luger (used by the Police,the AAFF and the Carabinieri) and the .50BMG!Of course,Armor Piercing,Incendiary,Explosive and tracers are a big no-no as are silencers and full-autos!

Italy's quite "liberal" but while you can own as many carbines/rifles/shotguns as you like you cannot have more than 9 handguns...six "sports guns"(like the SVI in my avatar)and three "non-sports" guns (like the Beretta 98/92)...I know it's weird!

As an IPSC shooter I've got a special license to buy/own/transport 1500 rds of handgun ammo (against the 200 the law allows you to buy/own/transport)...while in the US you can have ammo by the buckets!

Cheers

Mammy

[L9X25]

Hi L9x25

thanks a million for your reply...I either use very good lead projectiles and first quality FMJs,but I mainly use the former!

Cheers

Manny

If you intend to shoot a lot of lead, I would likely choose a conventional barrel. As I mentioned before, they are more tolerant of bullet hardness, diameter and material than an AET. Since I only shoot jacketed bullets, I prefer the AET barrels for the untimate accuracy.