accurizing colt "o" frame

James · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 02:56 PM

I have my gun at the gunsmith. They put on sights and adjusted the trigger. After they tested it for sight alignment, the shot group was 10" from 25 yards out. They suggested that I put in a new barrel and match the slide to the frame which would cost about $305 plus tax total. Would this help get my gun within acceptable limits to use it to participate in IDPA?

**WKC** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 03:16 PM

As long as the gun is safe and functioning properly, it is acceptable for IDPA use. Having a gun that is more accurate than you can drive it will eliminate one often used excuse on the range: it's the gun!

Fitting a new barrel and tightening the slide to frame fit will improve accuracy. If the smith plan to use a Bar-Sto gunsmith fit barrel, then $305 + tax is a good price considering the barrel alone cost ~$200 retail. You may also want to ask about a new slide stop. If the existing one is worn and looks like it may need replacement down the road, you may want to spring the extra $20-$30 for a new one so it can be fitted to the barrel. The lower lug of the barrel should be specifically fitted to the size of the slide stop cross pin. That's why if you need to have it replace, it is best to do it when you replace the barrel.

You should also expect to have the barrel bushing replaced as well. I suspect the current one will be fairly loose in the slide. An accuracy job will fit a new bushing to the slide to just a little tighter than hand tight. The inside diameter of the bushing will be fitted to the diameter of the barrel. If you have a preference on how tight the bushing will fit, you should explain that to the smith. Some people don't like to use a bushing wrench to disassemble the gun. Others don't mine. Your preference will allow the smith to adjust the fit accordingly.

Also make sure you and the smith understand what you intend to use the gun for. The level of accuracy and how tight the parts fit will vary. A competition /bulleys type gun will tend to be more tight than a carry gun.

James · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the advice. I'll get the work done.

They are probably not using the bar sto barrel since i looked on the bar sto website and saw a minimum 8-12 week lead time. gun smith quoted 1 1/2 weeks turn around time. Is it worth the wait for the bar sto barrel?

**WKC** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Thanks for the advice. I'll get the work done.

They are probably not using the bar sto barrel since i looked on the bar sto website and saw a minimum 8-12 week lead time. gun smith quoted 1 1/2 weeks turn around time. Is it worth the wait for the bar sto barrel?

Places like Midway will have some in stock. Bar-Sto has the biggest reputation in the industry. I think they were the first to produce quality after maket barrels. Now companies like Kart and Storm Lake also produce some good products.

The truth is that I will not be able to tell the difference which barrel I am using based on the grouping. As long as the barrel fit is good, it will shoot better than I can.

You can ask the smith what he is using and why. It's all part of being a good consumer.

James · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the help. I'm going to get ed brown barrel and bushing plus a slide to frame fit. I let him know that I'm just getting started with the IDPA competitions. estimated cost $350-380.

James · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 06:19 PM

I just got my "o" frame back from bolsa gunsmithing. They were great. I had asked to put in a new barrel as well as fit the slide to the frame. After they had put the barrel in it, the test fire went so good that they didn't do the slide to frame fit. shot group went from 6" to about 2" at 10 yrds. It saved me some money. I'm glad that they are about doing the job right instead of just trying to pump up the bill.

**OCRancher** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 06:49 PM

I have good luck with them, too.

**WKC** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I just got my "o" frame back from bolsa gunsmithing. They were great. I had asked to put in a new barrel as well as fit the slide to the frame. After they had put the barrel in it, the test fire went so good that they didn't do the slide to frame fit. shot group went from 6" to about 2" at 10 yrds. It saved me some money. I'm glad that they are about doing the job right instead of just trying to pump up the bill.

Now that you have an accurate gun, you will be required to do all head shots on targets that do not require hits to the body. I think I read that somewhere in the Prado IDPA rule book.