Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Wilson vs Clark ramped barrel?

I just bought a Kimber Commander size alloy frame in 9mm. Primarily for Wifey to play with. I have a Kimber 22 lr slide for her to use also.

I also want a 4 inch 38 Super barrel for it. The vendors ask for a selection: no ramp, or Wilson, or Clark ramp.

What is the difference, or advantages of each?

Thanks for any advice.

Unless your Kimber currently has a ramped barrel the answer would be "no ramp". The frame cuts are all different to accommodate the barrel type. Any Kimbers I have seen with a ramp have been Wilson (and Nowlin).

Springfield also uses a Wilson/Nowlin ramped barrel in their 9mm 1911s. I have a Barsto .38 Super barrel on order right now, and it's a Wilson cut. I will be switching my 9mm barrel over to .38 Super as soon as it comes in. I've had several weeks to gather up magazines, springs,ammo, etc. at this count, it's 17 weeks since I placed the order.

https://barsto.com/product-category/barrels/kimber-barrels/kimber-4/
As I mentioned above. it's been 17 weeks since I ordered my barrel from Barsto, they are running way behind right now. I have had two other Barstos and they are superb pipes, or I'd probably have tried out something else. These are "semi-fit" barrels and might need some minimal fitting. They also offer a "gunsmith fit" barrel, if you're not up to the fitting part. Usually, it only takes a few file strokes on the hood of the barrel.

Thanks guys.

Bob got back to me and also said Wilson.

Then he pointed me to some new surplus Sig 5 inch 38 Super barrels on GB for $50. He is sure they fit the Kimber, and I have a friend who can chuck one up in the lathe and lop an inch off.

Way less invested than ordering a barrel built, and no waiting.

Gunmagwarehouse served me well for my Kimber 1911 22lr mags. I bought four.

Colt-spec barrels are different in more than just length between Commander and Government models.

It is my understanding that neither Sig nor Kimber are Colt spec.

Bob is running a 5 inch Super barrel in a Kimber Comander length slide.

I am an admitted novice in matters of autopistols in general and specifically the 1911. I come here for the education.

Whoa yourself up, for a minute.

The SIG barrel is for a bushing, and your slide isn't cut for a bushing, is it? Your factory 9mm barrel is a bull barrel, right? The SIG barrel is NOT a bull (I looked at them, too, before I ordered my Barsto), and there's no provision in the slide for a bushing, which you will need for a SIG pipe. That is why I provided the link above, because it's not exactly "plug and play", especially with the oddball barrel length Kimber uses (Colt Commanders are 4.25", not 4" like Kimber), and they are "different" as noted. I'm not dissing Kimber, as I have no real experience with them of my own), but they ain't a Colt, and things aren't cut and dried with ANY 1911.

My Kimber 5 inch uses a bushing barrel. I will double check on the Kimber Pro Carry II to make sure it is also not a bull barrel.

The spec sheet states match grade SS bushing

Calibers 9MM
Specifications

Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 5.25
Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 28
Length (inches): 7.7
Magazine capacity: 9
Recoil spring (pounds): 22.0
Full-length guide rod

Frame

Material: Aluminum
Finish: Satin silver
Width (inches): 1.28

Slide

Material: Steel
Finish: Matte black, brushed-polished

Barrel

Length (inches): 4
Material: Stainless steel, match grade
Stainless steel match grade bushing
Twist rate (left hand): 16

Sights

Fixed low profile
Radius (inches): 5.7

Grips

Smooth/checkered rosewood

Trigger

Aluminum, three hole standard
Factory setting (approximate pounds): 4.0 - 5.0

Product Code

Product #: 3200333
UPC: 669278323336

MSRP:
$972.00
Find Dealers

The end of the barrel may be slightly “belled” on the OD to lock into the bushing but have clearance when the slide comes back. If you chop that section off and put it on a shorter slide you’re likely to have horrible bushing fit and possibly function issues. I’d take a mic to it before I got too involved.

Picture shows no bushing. I haven’t seen a pro carry 4” yet that had one. Mine was purchased in 96, no bushing.

I have not laid eyes on the Pro Carry yet.

But at $50, I ordered the Sig barrel anyway. If it will not fit the four inch, it will serve as an extra super barrel for the five inch.

If not that, I have already been offered my purchase price.

Your money, your choice. I don't think it will work, but I wish you all the best luck with it.

The Pro Carry came in last night. It is gorgeous.

And yes, it is fitted with a bull barrel.

The Sig barrel is not here yet, but will be forwarded to a new home in NH when it arrives. No loss there.

I will set the Kimber up with the 22 slide and present it to Momma in a couple.weeks on our 39'th anniversary.

I can order a Super barrel built some day in the future.