Do drop-in barrels reduce accuracy?

[Pelikan]

Hi all,

The title says it all; for the pistols that have drop-in barrel capability, .40 to 9mm, certain .357 SIG configurations, etc, does the drop in barrel result in a less accurate weapon?

I know part of what makes a pistol accurate is the good fit between the barrel and supporting elements in the frame/slide, so I guess I'm asking if, in your experience, the drop-in barrels are identically sized to the originals, resulting in an identical fit?

Thanks,
Pelikan

 

[bfm]

For SIGs, I have had good luck with both SIG and Bar-Sto barrels without needing custom fitting. No real change in acuracy though there was a change in point of impact even when sticking to the same caliber. All said some fitting may be required though, so I may have just lucked out on the four I have bought.

 

[wolf223]

i didn't notice any difference.

 

[KMM696]

G27 with a Glock 357 Sig barrel added - no difference.

G21 with a Storm Lake 10mm barrel - a bit more accurate, but some ejection consistency issues I'm working.

G21 (same one) with a KKM 45ACP barrel - no difference.

 

[atmay]

The fact that a barrel is not the one that came with the firearm from the factory does not really impact anything, especially with most modern pistols that have the capability to swap barrels. It really comes down to individual barrels and the specs/tolerances of each manufacturer.

 

[Pelikan]

The fact that a barrel is not the one that came with the firearm from the factory does not really impact anything, especially with most modern pistols that have the capability to swap barrels. It really comes down to individual barrels and the specs/tolerances of each manufacturer.

So I guess the definitive answer is...it depends.

Thanks for the advice, all!

 

[atmay]

So I guess the definitive answer is...it depends.

Thanks for the advice, all!

Pretty much!

As long as you stick with a reputable manufacturer (Storm Lake, Lone Wolf) and not Billy Bob's Drop-In Gat Barrels, you probably won't even notice.

 

[Gammon]

It definitely depends on the barrel. I have had great results with Barsto "semi drop-in" barrels. They require minor fitting and do improve accuracy. The downside is that they have a tighter chamber that requires quality ammo.