Thanks for the info, I'll order up a Wolff 18 lb spring. The reason I asked about the bushing was the OD of the 9x23 barrel I got was larger than my 38 Super and my 9x19 which is a series 70 with the spring tension bushing. The 9x23 has much thicker walls than the 38 or 9x19. I slipped a USGI 45 bushing on it and it seemed to fit pretty good. I guess I should look at the markings in the lug area of my new (lightly used) barrel and see if somebody else made it. Any idea what the Colt markings should be?
Colt made 38 barrels with at least three different outside diameters. Pre- war 38 Supers were about.530". Post war were .580", the same as 45 barrels. In the mid 1950's they were changed to .500" diameter. The 9x19 barrels that I have seen have been the .500" barrels. I don't know what size is being used on current production Colts. For best accuracy I think your best bet is to fit a bushing to each barrel. If you are not setup fit bushings you can order bushings fit to your slide and barrels from EGW.