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For all of you who have Bar-Sto Barrels

2655 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Arcsylver, 
Arcsylver
I am debating starting a new project that is going to yet again make my bank account beg for mercy.

I have my P320 RX I have more of less completed but as part of that I purchased a .357 Sig Conversion Kit and .40 S&W barrel as well.

The idea I have in mind is to order from Bar-Sto a full set of full size, Ported (3 ports) barrels for it in 9mm Conversion, .357 and .40 as well as a Nitron full size slide and then perhaps have the slide mIlled for an optic. (Aimpoint Acro p2)

My Question to those of you who have experience with Bar-Sto is are the semi fit options "good enough" (I.E. comparable in accuracy to the factory Sig Barrels) or should I nearly double the cost of the order and have them match fitted?

This will be a very long term project due to the sheer cost of things. I know I could buy a complete pistol or three for the cost of this but it is something I am curious about building myself.

Other parts for the project would include a DPM full size recoil spring kit so I can fine tune things nicely and probably a custom works FCU provided I can find a place that can strip the TiN coating off it because I am not fan of the gold tone, unless I can find a standard FCU for a comparable price.


I figure this setup is going to cost me between $2000 and $3000 all total with all the fitting and milling that will need to be done.
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S
I can get the same accuracy out of a factory p320 as I could out of Barsto or Apex fitted barrels . This is reason #1 I switched to the p320 platform. I spent literally hours fitting Apex and Barsto barrels. As much as I enjoyed it. In the end you’ll most likely have a gun which will be very picky with loads and unless loaded with those “specific” loads you will gain nothing , and very well most likely will reduce reliability. Irv is a great guy and has actually sent me a free replacement barrels . Due to the barrels being unable to obtain their guaranteed accuracy. The ransom rest doesn’t lie. If you want mechanical accuracy , buy a P320 shoot 147g pills and don’t change anything.

Also. Realize it takes “full” power loads to guarantee function with ported barrels. Thus negating any recoil reduction. Again limiting reliability.
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Willard
The "Semi-Fit" Barrels have a fully SAAMI Chambered Barrel, while the "Match" Barrels will have to be finish chambered, once fitted. While Sig Barrels are of excellent quality, a Semi-Fit Bar Sto may have a slight edge, and while a Sig Barrel may actually "drop in", most Semi-Fit Bar Sto Barrels will require minor fitting.
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S
I bought a semi-fit 9mm conversion barrel for a p229 to add to a 40/357 to make a 3 caliber pistol. It fit perfectly without any fitting.
It's very accurate and has added to the P229.
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SCompracer
I have two semi-fit Barsto 9mm conversion barrels. One for a P226 .40/.357 Sig slide, one for a compact P320 .40/.357 slide. Both required some minor fitting in the underlug to lock up properly (# 1 in the drawing).

I've never bench rested any of my Sig handguns, but the Barsto shoots as well as the Sig barrels, when I am doing my job. Barsto includes a business card with instructions where and where not to remove material. I purchased a medium and fine stone and removed a little at a time until they fit.

I had to wait two months for my last Barsto. They had a message on their site stating delays when I ordered it.

Blue Font Rectangle Parallel Document

Font Parallel Pattern Rectangle Paper
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Willard said:
The "Semi-Fit" Barrels have a fully SAAMI Chambered Barrel, while the "Match" Barrels will have to be finish chambered, once fitted. While Sig Barrels are of excellent quality, a Semi-Fit Bar Sto may have a slight edge, and while a Sig Barrel may actually "drop in", most Semi-Fit Bar Sto Barrels will require minor fitting.
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Can you define “finish chambered?” I have a match barrel which was fitted by a smith. Not sure if this step was included.
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Arcsylver said:
I am debating starting a new project that is going to yet again make my bank account beg for mercy.

I have my P320 RX I have more of less completed but as part of that I purchased a .357 Sig Conversion Kit and .40 S&W barrel as well.

The idea I have in mind is to order from Bar-Sto a full set of full size, Ported (3 ports) barrels for it in 9mm Conversion, .357 and .40 as well as a Nitron full size slide and then perhaps have the slide mIlled for an optic. (Aimpoint Acro p2)

My Question to those of you who have experience with Bar-Sto is are the semi fit options "good enough" (I.E. comparable in accuracy to the factory Sig Barrels) or should I nearly double the cost of the order and have them match fitted?

This will be a very long term project due to the sheer cost of things. I know I could buy a complete pistol or three for the cost of this but it is something I am curious about building myself.

Other parts for the project would include a DPM full size recoil spring kit so I can fine tune things nicely and probably a custom works FCU provided I can find a place that can strip the TiN coating off it because I am not fan of the gold tone, unless I can find a standard FCU for a comparable price.


I figure this setup is going to cost me between $2000 and $3000 all total with all the fitting and milling that will need to be done.
Click to expand...
I have a 3 port barrel for my xcompact. Also have paired with a DPM recoil system, but fair warning - the combination was difficult to make reliable. Over time parts wore down too quickly. Switching to stock guide rod.
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Willard
Flysart said:
Can you define “finish chambered?” I have a match barrel which was fitted by a smith. Not sure if this step was included.
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Basically, the Match comes with too short of a chamber, to headspace properly, this allows the Smith to ream the chamber to minimal headspace specifications, once the barrel is properly fit to the pistol. Your gunsmith, by virtue of his training, would insure your barrel at least would have headspaced on a "GO" gauge for the Caliber of your pistol. To do otherwise, could risk his business, as insufficient headspace, will normally prevent the chamber from accepting a loaded cartridge. While excessive headspace, could allow a fired cartridge case to rupture.
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C
I have numerous semi fit BarSto barrels and find them to be higher quality and more accurate than any factory barrel. But you will wait months these days. Just got my 9x25 conversion for a G40
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challer61 said:
I have numerous semi fit BarSto barrels and find them to be higher quality and more accurate than any factory barrel. But you will wait months these days. Just got my 9x25 conversion for a G40
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How are they higher quality ? Just curious how you came to this conclusion. In terms of accuracy the Barsto is very picky in terms of which loads it likes. A lot of people would be shocked to see their factory barrel outshoot their Barsto in the ransom rest. Ask me how I know .
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SURVIVOR619
steveac7531 said:
Also. Realize it takes “full” power loads to guarantee function with ported barrels. Thus negating any recoil reduction. Again limiting reliability.
Click to expand...
I've never heard this before... thanks for the knowledge. You've saved me from a future headache! Have been hunting for a firedragon ported and now not so sure that's the way to go.

@Arcsylver, please forgive the threadjack! Thanks for asking the question that led to some enlightenment for me.
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SURVIVOR619 said:
I've never heard this before... thanks for the knowledge. You've saved me from a future headache! Have been hunting for a firedragon ported and now not so sure that's the way to go.

@Arcsylver, please forgive the threadjack! Thanks for asking the question that led to some enlightenment for me.
Click to expand...
this is true, although 1/ my ported barsto barrel runs well with all factory ammo so far, though I don’t see nearly as much benefit with 135 gr and up, and 2/ the real benefit of the ports is not recoil reduction, but reduced muzzle flip, and if you’re shooting 115 you will definitely see meaningful reduction in muzzle flip.
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Arcsylver
Flysart said:
this is true, although 1/ my ported barsto barrel runs well with all factory ammo so far, though I don’t see nearly as much benefit with 135 gr and up, and 2/ the real benefit of the ports is not recoil reduction, but reduced muzzle flip, and if you’re shooting 115 you will definitely see meaningful reduction in muzzle flip.
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I tend to shoot 115Gr Underwood in 9mm or the 90 gr Xtreme Defender rounds. I dont shoot +p ammo at all really

In the other calibers I tend to shoot the lighter grain weights most of the time. I save the heavy rounds for when I shoot revolvers :)

I have a Mini Carry Comp on my 9mm Sig Threaded Barrel currently and while It may not offer much in muzzle flip reduction I prefer that to the standard thread protector looks wise. I figured I would go for ported barrels for any potential benefit they might provide with looks a secondary potential bonus. I prefer function over form for the most part though.
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