459/5906 Barrel question

[BigBoss3006]

This is probably a stupid question but you guys would know as well as anyone

My modernized 459 project is in full swing. My light rail is being mounted, & my slide is about to go off to get cut for Dawson 2011 optics plates. I have some G10 im making grips out of, and i've acquired an arched mainspring housing. The two things left are threaded barrel and an extended slide release.

I've contacted Briley and Bar-sto about new manufacture barrels, but I do not expect them to be able to help. A Briley setup with their spherical bushing would be awesome though.

This leads me to my question. Since im most likely going to have to have a barrel extended and threaded, would it be possible to use a new 5906 barrel, as long as the threaded extension is profiled like a 459 instead of dished like a 5906, will it lock up safely? I just don't know if the geometry of the locking/tilting portion of the barrels are the same

 

[JohnHL]

Since I'm most likely going to have to have a barrel extended and threaded, would it be possible to use a new 5906 barrel, as long as the threaded extension is profiled like a 459 instead of dished like a 5906, will it lock up safely? I just don't know if the geometry of the locking/tilting portion of the barrels are the same

Hi, Boss!

Sounds like a cool project.

If I understand you correctly, you will be re-using the removable barrel bushing from the 2nd gen 459, and having the new 3rd gen 5906 barrel's "bell end" recontoured to match the 2nd gen 459 barrel's straight end.

The "new" 5906 barrel can work if you are mindful of a few things.

5906 barrels were produced with two sizes on the barrel hood (the tab at the top rear of the barrel that keys in to the slide).

The earlier 3rd gen 5906 barrel hood is about 1/4" wide and is the same as the 2nd gen 459.

The later 3rd gen 5906 barrel hood is about 7/16" wide and will not fit, but the hood can be narrowed and then it will work.

The rest of the barrel/chamber/lock-up dimensions are all the same between the 2nd gen 459 and 3rd gen 5906 barrels.

The above applies to the standard or base models and does not include the TSW barrels as they utilize a slightly different unlocking cam angle.

Source an early 5906 barrel or narrow the hood on a late 5906 barrel, and as long as you recontour the muzzle end, you will be fine.

I look forward to seeing the pictures of your project!

John

 

[BigBoss3006]

Hi, Boss!

Sounds like a cool project.

If I understand you correctly, you will be re-using the removable barrel bushing from the 2nd gen 459, and having the new 3rd gen 5906 barrel's "bell end" recontoured to match the 2nd gen 459 barrel's straight end.

The "new" 5906 barrel can work if you are mindful of a few things.

5906 barrels were produced with two sizes on the barrel hood (the tab at the top rear of the barrel that keys in to the slide).

The earlier 3rd gen 5906 barrel hood is about 1/4" wide and is the same as the 2nd gen 459.

The later 3rd gen 5906 barrel hood is about 7/16" wide and will not fit, but the hood can be narrowed and then it will work.

The rest of the barrel/chamber/lock-up dimensions are all the same between the 2nd gen 459 and 3rd gen 5906 barrels.

The above applies to the standard or base models and does not include the TSW barrels as they utilize a slightly different unlocking cam angle.

Source an early 5906 barrel or narrow the hood on a late 5906 barrel, and as long as you recontour the muzzle end, you will be fine.

I look forward to seeing the pictures of your project!

John

Thanks John!

That is exactly what I intend to do. I may try to have an oversized barrel bushing made so it can be fitted, or have a Briley one installed. I'm unsure if the front face of the 459 slide is already too open for a Briley bushing but I'll get to that later.

The barrel I was looking at was a brand new 5906 non-TSW barrel from Midway, as I'd prefer to squeeze as much accuracy out of it as I can. I'd prefer to not start with a used barrel if possible.

Considering the "New" barrel from Midway is likely a late run part, I'd assume it would be a wide hood and need to be fitted. I was aware of the different hood styles but wasnt sure if that was something that could be trimmed down if necessary. Hoping to have a really cool gun to show off in a few months time