Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled "Bulls vs. Bushings: Which 1911 Barrel System Is Better?" and can found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/bulls-vs-bushings-which-1911-barrel-system-is-better/.
Bulls vs. Bushings: Which 1911 System Is Better?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Grayfox
Professional
I love how these guys write a this vs that article and never come out with a real answer. I guess gun writers are afraid of making a choice. 
I only own one 1911 with a bull barrel. An old Springfield Ultra-Compact .45. The thing is a real PITA to field strip. Gotta have a special little tool and it doesn't want to stay in place. I don't shoot it much because I don't want to clean it.
I'll go with the traditional barrel bushing any day.
I only own one 1911 with a bull barrel. An old Springfield Ultra-Compact .45. The thing is a real PITA to field strip. Gotta have a special little tool and it doesn't want to stay in place. I don't shoot it much because I don't want to clean it.
I'll go with the traditional barrel bushing any day.
HayesGreener
Ronin
When I attended the SA 1911 Armorer Course I was given a TRP Operator with bull barrel to work with. The "special tool" for takedown is a paper clip. I did not find takedown at all difficult. I was impressed with the tolerances and like the weight at the front end.
Own one of each and prefer the bushing. Mainly, as others have said, the field stripping. It’s just nice to not have to use a tool to break down your gun for a basic cleaning. While there are some really nice aftermarket tools for the job like 1911I ultra tool, I still find it annoying.
Sld1959
Ronin
So there, oh my that reminds me so much of grade school lolol.
Recusant
Hellcat
Then there are these:
They were used on full-sized Colt government models and Gold Cups for 20 straight years, from 1969 to 1989. It was said to be "accurate, reliable and giving good accuracy from an assembly-line gun without crippling custom fitting costs". However, the "fingers" could break off and bind up your gun. They take a little practice to figure out how to turn the bushing and position the barrel without damaging the fingers of the collet. I have two Colts that came with these and I've not had an issues. If I needed a new bushing I would contact Evolution Gun Works who will make a bushing to fit the slide and barrel. You send them the dimensions of the outside of your barrel and inside of the slide.
They send you a bushing made to fit.
They were used on full-sized Colt government models and Gold Cups for 20 straight years, from 1969 to 1989. It was said to be "accurate, reliable and giving good accuracy from an assembly-line gun without crippling custom fitting costs". However, the "fingers" could break off and bind up your gun. They take a little practice to figure out how to turn the bushing and position the barrel without damaging the fingers of the collet. I have two Colts that came with these and I've not had an issues. If I needed a new bushing I would contact Evolution Gun Works who will make a bushing to fit the slide and barrel. You send them the dimensions of the outside of your barrel and inside of the slide.
They send you a bushing made to fit.
Snake45
Professional
Yeah, I've heard all about the collet fingers breaking off, but when I ask, I've never yet met anyone who actually had it happen, or knew anyone who had.
And I found out it's very easy to install the things if you hold the slide open a little, to where the fingers aren't engaging the enlarged end of the barrel.
Still, I don't have my Mark IV barrel installed on a gun I count on for self defense. 'Cause who knows, maybe that broken finger thing isn't just a myth/old shooters' wives' tale.
youngolddude
Professional
Meh.
Is the revolver dead? Which is better, 9mm or .45 ACP? Is Condition One (cocked and locked) safe?
Do you enjoy clickbait stories? Sometimes I read these just to see if the writer is following the script in my head.
Is the revolver dead? Which is better, 9mm or .45 ACP? Is Condition One (cocked and locked) safe?
Do you enjoy clickbait stories? Sometimes I read these just to see if the writer is following the script in my head.
Icepick Mike
Operator
If you spend a lot of time in the boonies old school bushing is best. Maintenance in the field must be simple and fast. Been walking all day on a hunt or field trip and when you make camp you really want to eat and sleep so cleaning the firearms and blades must be stress free and fast.
Keystone19250
SAINT
I’ve had 1911’s with both and preferred the Bull Barrel on my Emissary.
Yes it was heavy however I felt it helped with barrel rise and helped get me back on POA faster.
I found it no harder to clean then the bushing version of Range Officer I had.
hondanut91
Alpha
I prefer the bushing on most of my guns. A couple have the 2 pc guide rod and that is as annoying as the bull barrel on my Kimber Ultra CDP2.