Wilson Combat drop in Barrel / Glock fitment question

[AlHunt]

First things first, I know there are plenty of Glock forums I could ask this on. I don't belong to them and wouldn't know if I could trust any responses. Not so here. Second, I may reach out to the manufacturer, but I bought this used so they really don't owe me tech support.

And so, I have this Wilson Combat drop in barrel (Item #381) that fits a Glock 21, of which I have 2 (both gen 3, 1 a standard G21 and the other a G21 short frame). I bought it used/unfired.

The short version is this: with the barrel in place and seated properly, the slide sits .020" further back in relation to the frame on the SF version and .016 further back on the standard version. Empty chamber or dummy round, doesn't make a difference. The barrel does not bind on the slide. The question - is this to be expected, normal, acceptable?

If it's not that simple, more details follow:

-------------longer version-----------------

In both guns, the barrel fits fine, the action cycles by hand, the striker cocks and the trigger releases it. I measured the distance from the rear slide cover to the trigger housing, at the notch on the left where the trigger housing is visible. The attached pic shows the area I took measurements. Measurement was by electronic caliper.

Glock 21 Standard:
Stock barrel - measured .044" (from the face of the rear cover to the face of the trigger housing)

Wilson barrel - measured .060" (from the face of the rear cover to the face of the trigger housing)

Glock 21 SF
Stock barrel - measured .034" (from the face of the rear cover to the face of the trigger housing)

Wilson barrel - measured .054" (from the face of the rear cover to the face of the trigger housing)

The Wilson barrel fits into the slide slightly tighter than the stock barrel but does have some clearance.

With the guns assembled, either cocked or decocked, the barrel will push down slightly with my thumb, as illustrated in the attached picture. Both stock and Wilson barrel behave exactly alike.

In short, both guns act exactly the same way with either barrel installed and with or without a dummy round chambered.

I'll appreciate anyone's thoughts or experiences.

 

[alwslate]

I have four Glocks and given the gun's purpose and reliability I wonder what could possibly be gained by an expensive replacement barrel?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I have four Glocks and given the gun's purpose and reliability I wonder what could possibly be gained by an expensive replacement barrel?

Well, he just might want to shoot lead bullets...?

Cheers!

 

[Papa32129]

Is the spring seated correctly? Double check them. Swap the springs maybe. The OEM are plastic guides correct? I can’t remember. If I recall my Glock barrels are loose fitting.
Place a full mag in w Dummy rounds.
Cycle them through.


Papa

 

[ken158]

It’s s Glock and if it works, I would find something else to spend my time fretting over.

 

[hardluk1]

A drop in barrel may or may not be any better than stock . Any after market barrels I have bought are semi fit or gun smith fit . You might be better off contacting wilson about your barrel issues.

If he wants to shoot lead bullets then he could shoot hi-tek coated bullets in that stock barrel instead .

 

[03hemi]

I agree, Glocks are just a hammer in the tool box, they work as is and that's all they're for.

 

[AlHunt]

Is the spring seated correctly? Double check them. Swap the springs maybe. The OEM are plastic guides correct? I can’t remember. If I recall my Glock barrels are loose fitting.
Place a full mag in w Dummy rounds.
Cycle them through.

I will swap those springs and see if the measurement difference follows the spring. I kind of doubt it, but it'd be another data point.

They are plastic guide rods. I'm going to predict no difference but I'll do it later today.

Thanks

 

[AlHunt]

Well, he just might want to shoot lead bullets...?

Cheers!

Well, there's even more to it than that but making the post even longer would just draw another set of predictable responses ...

I don't mind the kibitzing. Certain responses are inevitable around these parts, like obama era primers and crud rings from shooting 38spl in your 357 mag.

In the end, someone on here has done this any maybe will blunder into my question.

 

[TJm15.38]

I'll be the first to admit that I own one of the Wilson Combat .45 ACP barrels for my LEO trade-in Glock 21. The Wilson barrel might be a slightly tighter fit in the slide, but it truly was a drop-in fit for me. I cannot tell any difference in the way the pistol shoots with either the factory barrel or the Wilson.

 

[AlHunt]

I'll be the first to admit that I own one the Wilson Combat .45 ACP barrels for me LEO trade-in Glock 21. The Wilson barrel might be a slightly tighter fit in the slide, but it truly was a drop-in fit for me. I cannot tell any difference in the way the pistol shoots with either the factory barrel or the Wilson.

I knew you were out there. Thanks for responding. My Glocks are the same LEO trade ins.

A favor, if you will? I see you have the stock barrel. Will you look at the same place I measured (the cutout for the trigger housing on the left side of the rear cover) and see if the slide sits back a little further with the WC barrel vs the stock?

I have .016 and .020 difference so it really doesn't need to be measured. Eyeballing it will be sufficient.

Thank you for taking the time to take pictures and posting them.

 

[TJm15.38]

I knew you were out there. Thanks for responding. My Glocks are the same LEO trade ins.

A favor, if you will? I see you have the stock barrel. Will you look at the same place I measured (the cutout for the trigger housing on the left side of the rear cover) and see if the slide sits back a little further with the WC barrel vs the stock?

I have .016 and .020 difference so it really doesn't need to be measured. Eyeballing it will be sufficient.

Thank you for taking the time to take pictures and posting them.

I already compared slide position between the Wilson barrel and the factory barrel and there is no difference in the position of the slide. I will include a couple of pictures of the slide rear with factory and Wislon barrel installed.

 

[AlHunt]

I already compared slide position between the Wilson barrel and the factory barrel and there is no difference in the position of the slide. I will include a couple of pictures of the slide rear with factory and Wislon barrel installed.

Got it. Thanks again for taking the time. I'll try reaching out to Wilson after Xmas. I suspect it's not really a problem but some confirmation would be good.

 

[AlHunt]

I have four Glocks and given the gun's purpose and reliability I wonder what could possibly be gained by an expensive replacement barrel?

Well, if I ever provoke a 5 page thread, I don't want it to be a "Glock vs the World" thread or "lead bullets and ploygonal rifiling" thread.

I acquired the barrel as part of a different project. I think the throat is more generous than the stock Glock barrel and gives me more room to play. That's all.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I have "spare barrels" (as in non-stock aftermarket) for my G19 & G17 and clones...

They were all "drop-in" and they all work: a couple are ported, one is set up with a comp. Most were well less than half the price of a GLOCK Factory barrel. One has a much tighter chamber that the Factory G19 barrel, but shoots lead very accurately.

I have quite a few spare parts for these GLOCKs and clones: RSAs, trigger bars and connectors, springs, etc. Anytime there is an issue of any kind (which is seldom) I have on-hand just about anything I might need to diagnose and deal with it.

Might not qualify for ALL the (former?) BS of A's 12 desirable attributes, but I do try to remember to "Be Prepared"!

Cheers!

 

[AlHunt]

So, in case any future person runs into this, there's a small difference in the area under the chamber on the WC barrel. It's at a 45 degree angle and is narrower on the WC. This lets it ride a tad lower in the locking block (also machined at a 45) and the angled lugs on the barrel then cause the whole assembly to slide back a bit. I'll attach a pic (which is worth 1,000 words).

I sent an email to Wilson Combat. Maybe they'll have some thoughts.