Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-23-2014, 12:55 PM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default After market barrels- worth it?

I have a 2010 5" Pro in 9mm and a 2013 9c. The husband also has a 9c and a 2013 5" Pro in 9mm. When I shoot my Pro at 25 yards, my groupings are not all that great. My 9c has better groupings. The husband shot my Pro (with an Apex kit in it, the trigger pull is down to 2.5 lbs.) and his Pro (stock) at 25 yards. So same shooter, both tests from the rest, same ammo, same model guns.. His stock M&P 5" had tighter groups at 25 yards than my 5" did. His has the newer twist rate barrel. I was thinking of getting either one of the new twist rate S&W barrels or an after market barrel, to improve the accuracy. If I went with the after market barrel what would you recommend?
I have read about KKM and Storm Lake.. My eyes are starting to glaze over from reading reviews.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-23-2014, 01:17 PM
RobzGuns's Avatar
RobzGuns RobzGuns is offline
US Veteran
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,668
Liked 2,344 Times in 1,110 Posts
Default

Since you basically have duplicate pistols, have had the same shooter shoot both and have shot from a rest, before buying a new barrel, it might be worth sending S&W CS an email (or calling), to see what they say about replacing the barrel.

The only difference between your two pistols is that his is 3yrs newer, so they MAY say to send the whole gun in, or they may simply do a barrel swap... I wouldn't hold my breath about a simple barrel swap though... They'd probably want to see (and test) the whole pistol.

Worth a try... If their response seems like it'd be too much of a pain, then look at aftermarket barrels.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-23-2014, 08:10 PM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

RobzGuns,
The difference between our two guns is not only 3 years but the twist rate is different. My Pro has the 1:18 twist rate and his has the 1:10 twist rate.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-23-2014, 08:52 PM
RobzGuns's Avatar
RobzGuns RobzGuns is offline
US Veteran
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,668
Liked 2,344 Times in 1,110 Posts
Default

Right... But are both barrels factory? You original post reads as if they are.
If so, they may upgrade you to the newer twist.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-23-2014, 09:11 PM
kozmic's Avatar
kozmic kozmic is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western New York
Posts: 5,913
Likes: 15,400
Liked 10,827 Times in 3,634 Posts
Default

Maybe I'm a bit dim here, but can't you drop his barrel into your 5" 9mm pro and see if that improves your accuracy?????
And how do you "score" when shooting his gun?
__________________
paws for friendship
Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 04-23-2014, 09:19 PM
federali's Avatar
federali federali is offline
Absent Comrade
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 12,877
Liked 7,548 Times in 2,081 Posts
Default Barrel Change

Before making the investment, you'll need to be sure that it's the twist rate that's the cause of the accuracy discrepancy. A friend once put a pricey Barsto barrel on his Browning HP and it did absolutely nothing for accuracy.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 04-23-2014, 09:43 PM
dullh's Avatar
dullh dullh is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Horse Shoe, NC
Posts: 835
Likes: 30
Liked 485 Times in 239 Posts
Default

After market barrels- worth it?

No.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 04-24-2014, 07:14 AM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobzGuns View Post
Right... But are both barrels factory? You original post reads as if they are.
If so, they may upgrade you to the newer twist.
My gunsmith, who has taken the S&W armorers class, has been trying to get a new stock barrel with the new twist rate for me. Smith does not like to sell barrels. I guess they need them for all the guns they are making. I really don't want to send it in as S&W often holds guns for weeks if not longer and it is my competition gun. Also I have Apex parts in it and I don't really want to remove everything just to send it in and then have to replace the parts.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-24-2014, 12:32 PM
Bkreutz's Avatar
Bkreutz Bkreutz is offline
US Veteran
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Fruitland Idaho
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 1,586
Liked 4,882 Times in 2,025 Posts
Default

The KKM barrel is a 1:18.75 twist, don't know about the Storm Lake but would suspect it's the same. The stock barrel in my 5" Core is 1:10. I bought the KKM just to see if it was any better/different. Honestly I can't tell the difference(except for the color), now I carry an extra barrel in my range bag. .
Attached Images
File Type: jpg rt side (Small).jpg (102.2 KB, 77 views)
__________________
Minimize the variables
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 04-24-2014, 01:39 PM
scooter89 scooter89 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 12
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Im not sure what kind of ammunition you are shooting, but the 1:18 barrel will stabilize a lighter faster bullet, such as a 115 gr. The 1:10 like in my pro does a very nice job stabilizing heavier, slower bullets, such as 147s.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-24-2014, 02:12 PM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

We are shooting 124 grain plated reloads.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-24-2014, 02:25 PM
Maximumbob54's Avatar
Maximumbob54 Maximumbob54 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 9,079
Liked 1,921 Times in 1,043 Posts
Default

The distance you are shooting you should see no practical advantage. If you were trying for some real long distance shooting like silhouette shooting at steel then you might think about it. An M&P would get laughed at for that use though so that's not really an asnwer. The only real advantage to buying an aftermarket barrel is if you want one that has an option the factory barrel doesn't have like a milled in comp in the extra bit at the end or a threaded barrel. Then they are pretty much your only option with most guns.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-24-2014, 04:40 PM
Gryff's Avatar
Gryff Gryff is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 272
Likes: 7
Liked 320 Times in 83 Posts
Default

I have seen several discussions regarding 5" Pro accuracy issues. One of the assertions is that it has more to do with the barrel not locking up consistently, which will obviously affect your groups.

Supposedly the KKM barrel helps, but last I heard, it was still an open issue.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-24-2014, 05:01 PM
Bkreutz's Avatar
Bkreutz Bkreutz is offline
US Veteran
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Fruitland Idaho
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 1,586
Liked 4,882 Times in 2,025 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryff View Post
I have seen several discussions regarding 5" Pro accuracy issues. One of the assertions is that it has more to do with the barrel not locking up consistently, which will obviously affect your groups.

Supposedly the KKM barrel helps, but last I heard, it was still an open issue.
I think the "discussions" are simply that, internet discussions. I shoot a 5" Pro Core in USPSA a few times a month and I consistently hit 75 - 85% Alpha zone hits. I don't see an accuracy problem IMO.
__________________
Minimize the variables
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-24-2014, 05:06 PM
C4IGrant's Avatar
C4IGrant C4IGrant is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 365
Likes: 2
Liked 112 Times in 68 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AGoyette View Post
I have a 2010 5" Pro in 9mm and a 2013 9c. The husband also has a 9c and a 2013 5" Pro in 9mm. When I shoot my Pro at 25 yards, my groupings are not all that great. My 9c has better groupings. The husband shot my Pro (with an Apex kit in it, the trigger pull is down to 2.5 lbs.) and his Pro (stock) at 25 yards. So same shooter, both tests from the rest, same ammo, same model guns.. His stock M&P 5" had tighter groups at 25 yards than my 5" did. His has the newer twist rate barrel. I was thinking of getting either one of the new twist rate S&W barrels or an after market barrel, to improve the accuracy. If I went with the after market barrel what would you recommend?
I have read about KKM and Storm Lake.. My eyes are starting to glaze over from reading reviews.
Twist rate is pretty irrelevant at 25yds. What matters is the hood to slide fit. Take a feeler gauge and measure between the barrel hood and slide (without the guide rod assembly installed) and see where it is at. If the gap is larger than .004 it won't shoot well past 15yds IMHO.

So an aftermarket barrel might be a good option, but there is no guarantee that the drop in aftermarket barrel will be any tighter.


C4
__________________
S&W M&P Armorer
S&W LE Distr.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-24-2014, 05:07 PM
C4IGrant's Avatar
C4IGrant C4IGrant is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 365
Likes: 2
Liked 112 Times in 68 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AGoyette View Post
My gunsmith, who has taken the S&W armorers class, has been trying to get a new stock barrel with the new twist rate for me. Smith does not like to sell barrels. I guess they need them for all the guns they are making. I really don't want to send it in as S&W often holds guns for weeks if not longer and it is my competition gun. Also I have Apex parts in it and I don't really want to remove everything just to send it in and then have to replace the parts.
We have some FS barrels in 9mm in stock if interested. Drop me a PM if interested.


C4
__________________
S&W M&P Armorer
S&W LE Distr.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-24-2014, 06:33 PM
Chuck Edwards Chuck Edwards is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southwest Louisiana USA
Posts: 72
Likes: 325
Liked 87 Times in 33 Posts
Default

There was a lot of discussion among competitive shooters about this. The issue, apparently, was that in the original barrel S&W erred on the side of reliability in the design of the locking lugs. They re-designed the barrel about a year ago and noticeably changed the locking lugs; this seems to have brought the accuracy up to par. The re-design also included a change in the rate of twist from 1-18.75" to 1-10", but that was a cosmetic change IMO rather than a substantial one. S&W .38/.357 revolvers with the same barrel dimensions stabilize >200 grain bullets with no problem at lower velocities than seen in 9x19.
__________________
Regards,

Chuck
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-24-2014, 07:30 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
SWCA Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,908
Likes: 3,513
Liked 6,729 Times in 2,620 Posts
Default

My vote goes to a factory barrel in the new twist rate. All of the ones I have shot are surprisingly accurate. In one case, shockingly accurate.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-25-2014, 11:30 AM
adams484 adams484 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Backwoods Alabama
Posts: 146
Likes: 89
Liked 120 Times in 52 Posts
Default

The faster the twist the lighter the bullet. In a slow twist use a 147 grain and see if that affects the POI. If 115 grain is all you shoot then look for a barrel that is rifled for it. But 147 is kind of the top end of the 9mm range. 90 grain is around the bottom. If the bullet weight you find that tightens up your group is not the weight you can live with then buy a new barrel and shoot what the barrel manufacturer suggests to start out with. All guns have their favorite ammo. Find out what yours likes and feed it that or get a new barrel. Personally I would prefer shooting 147 grain and I am betting the 1:18 will be sweet with that weight but not fast enough to totally stabilize a 115 as much as you like. 147 grain is/was easier to get a while back as the NATO round (correct me if I am wrong) is 115gr ball ammo. Great for punching wholes but not so much in expansion. 124 grain is another option as well. Heck try them all before you spend you hard earned bucks on a new barrel which may introduce other issues like feeding problems etc. There are a few 147 grain SD loads available and for a caliber like 9mm quite appealing. All of this can be addressed but a simple change in diet might prove quite pleasing as well as cheaper.
__________________
Jason Adams

Last edited by adams484; 04-25-2014 at 11:49 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #20  
Old 04-25-2014, 11:57 AM
adams484 adams484 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Backwoods Alabama
Posts: 146
Likes: 89
Liked 120 Times in 52 Posts
Default Plus one on this

Quote:
Originally Posted by federali View Post
Before making the investment, you'll need to be sure that it's the twist rate that's the cause of the accuracy discrepancy. A friend once put a pricey Barsto barrel on his Browning HP and it did absolutely nothing for accuracy.
Or worse yet I have seen guys buy new barrels and have all kinds of problems getting it fit up right. Some of them were even worse than the original shot out barrel.
__________________
Jason Adams
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 04-25-2014, 11:12 PM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

Well my gunsmith got hold of S&W. Since he has taken their armors course, they will sell him a 5" barrel with the 1:10 twist rate for $250 or I can send in the gun and they will get it back to me in 6-8 months (what he said they said). It is not a big enough deal to spend that much money for just the barrel, then pay to have it fitted or to be with out my competition gun for months on end. I guess I will just have to live with my 9c out shooting my Pro at 25 yards.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 04-26-2014, 10:23 AM
C4IGrant's Avatar
C4IGrant C4IGrant is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 365
Likes: 2
Liked 112 Times in 68 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AGoyette View Post
Well my gunsmith got hold of S&W. Since he has taken their armors course, they will sell him a 5" barrel with the 1:10 twist rate for $250 or I can send in the gun and they will get it back to me in 6-8 months (what he said they said). It is not a big enough deal to spend that much money for just the barrel, then pay to have it fitted or to be with out my competition gun for months on end. I guess I will just have to live with my 9c out shooting my Pro at 25 yards.
That price is way to high. We have factory FS barrels in stock for $90 so I don't think that a 5" would run that much more. Storm Lake drop in barrels are only like $125 and our fitted SL barrels are $260! So something is wrong.



C4
__________________
S&W M&P Armorer
S&W LE Distr.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 04-26-2014, 11:45 PM
LeadSpitter's Avatar
LeadSpitter LeadSpitter is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dullh View Post
After market barrels- worth it?

No.
I disagree. And/As it depends on the after market barrel.

Have a Glock model 35 and have a StormLake and Lone Wolf barrels and both improved accuracy.

Have a Glock 21 and the Wilson Combat match grade barrel really improved accuracy.


Not the accuracy was bad with their stock barrels. I just wanted to upgrade and the accuracy was merely a bonus.

I'd add all barrels are/were drop-ins and they fit, and shoot just fine.

Granted, the OP isn't asking about an aftermarket barrel for a Glock. Either way, I'm confident they'd get the same results that I did from an aftermarket barrel. That being, improved accuracy.

And yes, we all now what they say about opinions. In this case, yours and mine.

P.S.

To the OP...Before calling and or sending it in or even buying an aftermarket barrel, if you haven't already, try different ammunition. Brands and bullet weights and bullet design (meaning HP, FMJ, etc.). Just because your husbands shoots good with a particular ammunition, even though the guns are the same/close to the same, doesn't mean yours will. The truth is, even with an aftermarket barrel it could still not be as accurate with a particular ammunition and it may take finding the right one. As could be the case with your current barrel.

Especially is the barrel twists aren't the same. If your barrel twist is faster it might shoot better with a heavier bullet or if slower, a lighter bullet. Though handguns aren't as fickle as rifles. But it's worth trying different ammo as I mentioned above. It certainly can't hurt anything.

And FWIW, I checked for you. Even though Wilson Combat has/carries some M&P accessories, I didn't see any barrels. As of yet anyhow. You might want to call and see if they may in the future as I'd recommend one of their match grade barrels. Or a Storm Lake. True, KKM barrels are probably better. But there's no guarantee that spending more money they'll be any more accurate. Again, my opinion.
__________________
<<< CERTIFIABLE GUN NUT >>>

Last edited by LeadSpitter; 04-27-2014 at 12:23 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 04-29-2014, 07:21 AM
turbo38gn's Avatar
turbo38gn turbo38gn is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: western Mass
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 1,692
Liked 986 Times in 559 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AGoyette View Post
Well my gunsmith got hold of S&W. Since he has taken their armors course, they will sell him a 5" barrel with the 1:10 twist rate for $250 or I can send in the gun and they will get it back to me in 6-8 months (what he said they said). It is not a big enough deal to spend that much money for just the barrel, then pay to have it fitted or to be with out my competition gun for months on end. I guess I will just have to live with my 9c out shooting my Pro at 25 yards.
Get a new gunsmith!!!! Call S$W yourself..
__________________
Jack C
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 04-29-2014, 08:04 AM
hangnoose hangnoose is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: W coast central Fl
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 1,426
Liked 1,407 Times in 774 Posts
Default ATER MARKET BBL'S WORTH IT?

IN the vast majority of cases, IMO no. There are a bunch of things you can try (many already mentioned) before spending more $ & shipping time: Switch shooters, each shoot the others gun, switch the bbl.'s, what is different with your gun that you shoot better (grips?), do you have a similar practice gun in 22lr? use that for a while working on basics & try it again. I DO BELIEVE that since shooting is such a mental game, ANYTHING that YOU BELIEVE will help you shoot better likely will. Like baseball players/golfers/ most pro athletes & silly superstitious practices that can actually improve their game. REALLY ELITE pro shooters are gonna shoot any gun well.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 04-29-2014, 09:45 AM
DanTana DanTana is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 22 Posts
Default

Take the slide off your pistol, remove the recoil spring. See how much the barrel moves inside the slide, it should be fairly tight and barely have any movement. Now try your husbands barrel in your slide and see if it fits better. Conversely, check his barrel in his slide and see what the amount of movement is. I have read that is the one thing S&W did to improve accuracy is tighten up those clearances so there is less play. I agree that twist rate makes little difference in the distances we are talking about. Also, visually examine each barrel, is there a collar around the barrel by the chamber? Are there any dimples punched into the bottom of the chamber area? These indicate newer or older barrel designs by S&W. No collar, with two dimples is the newer design. Here is a little more information from Hilton Yam of 10-8 Performance.

S&W M&P Barrels, An Informal Test | Modern Service Weapons
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 04-29-2014, 10:11 AM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the replies everyone. As stated above, we are shooting 124 grain plated bullets. My 9c with the faster twist rate also outshoots my 2010 Pro at 25 yards. I have not tried his barrel on my gun yet. When I had him shoot both guns from the rest, the only differences in the guns was that his has the faster twist rate, H trigger bar, improved slide stop and the latest generation sear block. My gun at the time had the Apex FSS kit in and his still had the sucky stock trigger with a 6.5 lbs trigger pull versus my 2.5 lbs trigger pull. As talked about in other threads the husband is talking about changing his over to 9 major. I found a good deal on a Storm Lake threaded barrel and a compensator. I asked him if he does change over, if I can have his barrel. He said yes.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 04-30-2014, 10:18 AM
Jim Watson Jim Watson is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Florence, Alabama, USA
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 40
Liked 1,381 Times in 766 Posts
Default

Twist rate is a red herring, fit is the key to accuracy.
Getting better fit is the trick.
Will a new profile factory barrel do well enough? If not, a "drop-in" aftermarket? Or will it take a gunsmith? Which one?
I don't know enough to tell you how to spend your money.
I guess I need to shoot mine carefully from a rest and see how it compares.

By the way, adams484 has the twist/weight relationship backwards.
Not that it matters over the range of bullets and barrels being discussed.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 04-30-2014, 10:30 AM
scooter89 scooter89 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 12
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I just bought my 2014 made pro (not core) for 516 plus shipping on gunbroker. It could be cheaper to buy new and sell your older one. Just a thought.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 04-30-2014, 04:03 PM
jimjc jimjc is offline
Banned
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Liked 29 Times in 20 Posts
Default

no...the original barrel is already more accurate than 99.9% of us shooters
Reply With Quote
  #31  
Old 05-01-2014, 10:20 AM
adams484 adams484 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Backwoods Alabama
Posts: 146
Likes: 89
Liked 120 Times in 52 Posts
Default Agreed

Plus one on that...
__________________
Jason Adams
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 05-01-2014, 11:00 AM
adams484 adams484 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Backwoods Alabama
Posts: 146
Likes: 89
Liked 120 Times in 52 Posts
Default Yes I did have it backwards I apologize...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Watson View Post
Twist rate is a red herring, fit is the key to accuracy.
By the way, adams484 has the twist/weight relationship backwards.
Not that it matters over the range of bullets and barrels being discussed.
I did have it backwards in terms of the AR platform the faster the twist the heavier the bullet. But after a little research I did find that bullet length is more critical than weight and you are correct in the distances involved make it a minor factor but a factor none the less. I was assuming the discrepancies in the grouping as being very minor as well so I figured it could play into a minor grouping difference.

I also agree that barrel fit is more likely if the handgun is at fault which I doubt is the case. Grip differences, trigger pull, sights, etc. could likely be a factor as well in these minor variations. Mental factors of the shooter can even effect grouping. The only real way to know which is to put the handguns in a Ransom rest and take the shooter out of the equation. Then mix up the loads a little if it is not the shooter and the differences still exist, I would if even get so anal as to try it from some differing ranges in the rest from say 25 to 50 yards. When all the data is in it will likely provide a path forward.

Again sorry for the miss-information as it is easy to see 1:7 compared to 1:9 as backwards in in terms of twist (larger number being slower) and I know that 70 grain 223 likes 1:7 over 1:9 and 55 shoots fine in 1:9 with the AR or at least my AR.
__________________
Jason Adams

Last edited by adams484; 05-01-2014 at 11:19 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 05-01-2014, 01:41 PM
AGoyette's Avatar
AGoyette AGoyette is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 970
Likes: 302
Liked 369 Times in 209 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by adams484 View Post
I did have it backwards in terms of the AR platform the faster the twist the heavier the bullet. But after a little research I did find that bullet length is more critical than weight and you are correct in the distances involved make it a minor factor but a factor none the less. I was assuming the discrepancies in the grouping as being very minor as well so I figured it could play into a minor grouping difference.

I also agree that barrel fit is more likely if the handgun is at fault which I doubt is the case. Grip differences, trigger pull, sights, etc. could likely be a factor as well in these minor variations. Mental factors of the shooter can even effect grouping. The only real way to know which is to put the handguns in a Ransom rest and take the shooter out of the equation. Then mix up the loads a little if it is not the shooter and the differences still exist, I would if even get so anal as to try it from some differing ranges in the rest from say 25 to 50 yards. When all the data is in it will likely provide a path forward.

Again sorry for the miss-information as it is easy to see 1:7 compared to 1:9 as backwards in in terms of twist (larger number being slower) and I know that 70 grain 223 likes 1:7 over 1:9 and 55 shoots fine in 1:9 with the AR or at least my AR.
Jason,
In my original post I stated that the two Pro's were in a rest, it was the same shooter using the same ammo, same sights, and he was shooting at 25 yards. His gun, which had the stock trigger and the faster twist rate, did better than my Pro which has the FSS kit in and has the slower twist rate. My 9c which has the DCAEK kit in and has the faster twist rate, also does better. But the 9c test is not that accurate since I was not using a rest and when I did the test, I had been shooting it more than the Pro. I am shooting 124 grain reloads. He was loading them a little short for my taste. He has increased the length, so I will have to redo the test to see if that has made a difference.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 05-02-2014, 01:21 PM
adams484 adams484 is offline
Member
After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it? After market barrels- worth it?  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Backwoods Alabama
Posts: 146
Likes: 89
Liked 120 Times in 52 Posts
Default A Ransom rest is not a bench rest...

Quote:
Originally Posted by AGoyette View Post
Jason,
In my original post I stated that the two Pro's were in a rest, it was the same shooter using the same ammo, same sights, and he was shooting at 25 yards. His gun, which had the stock trigger and the faster twist rate, did better than my Pro which has the FSS kit in and has the slower twist rate. My 9c which has the DCAEK kit in and has the faster twist rate, also does better. But the 9c test is not that accurate since I was not using a rest and when I did the test, I had been shooting it more than the Pro. I am shooting 124 grain reloads. He was loading them a little short for my taste. He has increased the length, so I will have to redo the test to see if that has made a difference.
If you can afford a Ransom rest then go trade the gun in on a different one and be done with it.

What I would do is go to the next gun show and just get another gun. Or you can buy another barrel and have a gunsmith (a good gunsmith) work it over for you but the cheapest route would be to get another gun. If you want a competition gun then call S&W's custom shop and order one.

Anyway you go with S&W they will at least shoot the gun before the send it to you as will any good gunsmith. But a drop in barrel is asking for more work and money than that gun is worth you will never get it out of it on resale. I took a bath on the my tricked out XD45 when I decided to trade it for a 1911. Maybe you will get lucky but then maybe not and then you will be committed to save your investment. If that happens you can have a $1000 gun that is only worth $350 on resale unless you find a person who will pay that for what you have.
__________________
Jason Adams
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for opinions on after market 686 barrels Aviator S&W-Smithing 2 04-10-2016 04:32 PM
After market barrels Austin Cole Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 31 08-22-2014 09:29 PM
2014: Stock Market or Gunshow Market? SweetMK The Lounge 4 12-31-2013 10:29 PM
?? Quality of after market 870 Barrels Bekeart The Lounge 1 06-07-2012 08:19 AM
Another Farmers Market flee market...I mean gun show Retired W4 The Lounge 14 09-19-2011 12:55 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:05 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)