Gold Cup Barrell in a std.1911 ?

[Bob96]

  I have an Auto Ordnance 1911 and the barrel is junk. I have an extra Colt series 70 Gold Cup barrel. It fits perfectly and locks up fine. My question is the narrow hood width on the GC barrell. It leaves a space on one side of the hood opening. Hood length and headspace is fine. Any problems with this? Haven't shot it yet.

[Flint]

The hood's fit into the slide aligns the barrel with the slide, and is a fitting done when accurizing a Colt..  I doubt it would be accurate, and may even damage the locking lugs and link if it twists upon firing.  Either weld on material and refit the hood, or find a standard barrel and buy or swap for it.

[44 Man]

I disagree.  Other than it might look funny, it should be fine.  The critical fit is to the locking lugs, feet and link, and hood length so everything comes up tight at the same time.  If it fits in all of these places (of course bushing also), it should be accurate.  Try it, you may be surprised and you certainly have nothing to lose.  Of course, even though it is safe and works well, having that gap there would drive me crazy just from a cosmetic viewpoint.  44 Man.

[Mikey]

I have to go with the 44 Man on this one.  I once had a target barrel set up for a Gold Cup but later stuffed the barrel into a plain jane slide and never had a problem.  Accuracy was absolutely excellent and as far as the gap was concerned - I think I had the first ever loaded chamber indicator on a 1911 with the hood gap - there was no doubt whether the chamber was loaded.  Mikey.