Kimber barrel bulge

[Raptormaster]

Hello all,

I noticed last night while cleaning my kimber custom II that there was a bulge at the tip of the barrel. This was my first time shooting the gun and my first 1911. I don't remember noticing it when stripped it after I bought the gun. Does anyone know if this is normal. My thought is that its for tighter tolerance between the collar/spring retainer.

Thanks

[Dolomite_supafly]

I do not konw specifically about the Kimber but I do know that some guns have a "tapered" barrel. This allows enough clearance for the gun to cycle reliably while locking up as tight as possible for accuracy.

[Jonnin]

A number of semi automatic pistols have a "bell" shape at the muzzle.  A number of the kimber models have this feature.  If the bulge looks wrong to you, do a web search on the model, look for one with the slide locked back and a good angle on the barrel, you should be able to see if it looks like yours or not.

 

things to consider:

a bulged barrel most often prevents a semi auto pistol from working -- the slide won't go over the bulge 

it most often will not be right at the muzzle

it will not look like it was made that way, there will be some slight irregularity to the shape etc

you should have noticed something very wrong if you fired a round that warped the barrel -- barrels are TOUGH.

 

all in all it really sounds like "it was made that way".

Edited October 31, 2013 by Jonnin

[E4 No More]

IIRC, the bulge is to be tight on the barrel bushing, but allow for more clearance for movement in recoil - particularly for shorter barreled 1911ish weapons.

[173rdABN]

The bell is supposed to be there.

[Raptormaster]

Thanks guys!