I Need 6 Inches of Steel

[Bro KV]

I want to drop a 6" barrel in my G20SF. So, Storm Lake, Lone Wolf or Bar-Sto (if they make one)?

[Yondering]

I use a 6.6" Lone Wolf, but would not recommend their barrels any more, unless you want the extended threaded version like mine (and then, just because it's the only option).

I think I'd choose a KKM if possible.

[REDLINE]

I would suggest Storm Lake first, Barstow second (if cost isn't an object), KKM third, EFK Firedragon fourth, and I personally wouldn't consider Lone Wolf for all the tea in China.


For more information see;

http://10mm-firearms.com/gunsmithing/aftermarket-barrel-details/

AND

http://10mm-firearms.com/10mm-semi-auto-handguns/kimber-offers-more-barrel-chamber-support-in-10mm-than-any-other-manufactuer/

[The_Shadow]

I have two Storm Lake barrels for my G-29 10mm & 40S&W and both are very nice and have good support...
LWD's barrels seem to have loosen up the chambers recently which isn't setting well with the 10mm users...
However the 357Sig & 9x25 Dillon barrels for the G29 and 9x25Dillon 6" for G20 are very tight chambers and great support.

I have two Match Grade Bar-Sto barrels one in 40S&W  the other in 9x25 Dillon for my S&W1006, I had to fit these to my slide and frame because they required fitting. 

All of them are very good support and accuracy too!

[Bro KV]

I put a Storm Lake barrel on backorder with Midway.

[RMM]

Man, this whole aftermarket barrel thing has got me pretty confused!  I do want a 6"+ barrel for hunting and possibly shooting some cheaper lead bullets.

Priorities (in order of importance):
1.  Accuracy
2.  Case support
3.  Cost

Over the past few weeks I think that I've read everything that I can find online, both on this site and on other forums via Google searches.

1.  The 6.6" and 6" Lone Wolf are appealing because of their low cost.  The 6.6" is unique and would potentially offer the highest velocity. I hate the "in-your-face" logo on the hood.  However, it appears that more recent copies do not have the same level of case support as the older copies; in fact, the support looks very similar now to the factory barrel.  Also, the chambers seem to be almost too tight, causing a lot of FTF.

2.  The 6" Storm Lake looks to have great case support.  Some of the recent reports seem to show some poor quality control.  Redline's posts specifically.

3.  KKM seems to have almost universally good reports.  Case support seems to be somewhere in between the Glock and Storm Lake barrels. 

4.  Bar-Sto is high quality but is a lot more money, especially when you factor in the cost/time of getting the barrel fitted to your slide.

If you could choose today, which barrel would you choose, and why?

[cwlongshot]

I have a LW 5.5'' ported and a 6'' KKM. BOTH shoot feed and cycle perfectly with my loads and factory Silvertips.

I use the KKM more as I am not such a fan of porting, but for the price I paid for the LW barrel I could not turn it down.

CW

[REDLINE]

3.  KKM seems to have almost universally good reports.

I've come to the same conclusion in all my poking around.  I got the Storm Lake 6" for my G20 (still patiently waiting on a replacement from Storm Lake with no regrets).  I want a barrel for my G29 also at some point in the not too distant future.  For the G29 I'm planning on giving KKM the business. 

[RMM]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I will focus my further research on KKM.  There are a few 6.6" LW barrels on eBay for $112+$4 S&H that are tempting.... ~70 less than KKM.   I wonder if they would be too long to be really useful.  I guess that maybe at that price I don't have much to lose? 

[REDLINE]

The scary part (in my mind) is you usually get what you pay for.  Personally I highly suggest dropping the extra $70 and going KKM.  Of course it is your choice.  I'm just throwing around my 2 cents.

[RMM]

I suspect that you're right, Redline.

I think I'll have to find a few more old toys to sell to finance this new "add-on". 

I was all set to go with the Lone Wolf until I read about and saw pictures of the "new-and-improved" chamber support! It looks worse than the factory barrel in some instances!

[RMM]

I spoke with Kevin at KKM via e-mail, he said that there is a 1-2 week lead time currently.  After doing WAY TOO MUCH research on the subject, I ended up ordering a 6" KKM this afternoon.  Pictures to follow in a few weeks...

(Found some old electronic stuff and books sitting in the closet I could sell  )

[REDLINE]

I ended up ordering a 6" KKM this afternoon.

IMO you chose well.  In the long run I think you'll be very glad you did.  Can't wait to see the pics and get your general opinion of the fit/finish and functionality.

[Jay/G20]

KKM Precision IMO is "not" just a company name....these boys mean it.... PRECISION ! I have ran a G20 gen3 6" drop-in for over a year now and I will not stray from that barrel.

I acquired a G35 gen4 and the very 1st thing  I did was to install a Match 40 S&W drop-in.......again....loving it!

I feel you can rest easy...you  made a wise decision. 

[gandog56]

Jeeze, all these people with Glocks wanting a 3rd party barrel. I have 2 10mm pistols, both of them 1911's. A 5" Dan Wesson Razorback, and a 6" Fusion Firearms custom built long slide.

No third party barrels needed!