Topic: How do you check for barrel spring?

I'm almost done fixing up this old Norinco 1911, mostly cosmetic work. I found that the barrel bushing from my Springfield Armory Mil-spec fits the Norinco barrel and slide almost ideally - tight but smooth. I dont want to assume though that the barrel isn't springing. Will it have to be relieved additionally? How do I check for that?

I've always taken and installed the barrel and bushing into the slide (just like it was going onto the pistol but without the guide rod or spring) ... Hold the now semi complete slide horizontal just like it goes onto the pistol and then see if the barrel has enough free movement that it does not take any amount of preasure to make it disengage from the upper hood and I always make sure it has a touch more travel then it needs...

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BTW: If you end up useing the Springer bushing on the Norinco I'd suggest putting a EGW in the Springer as a replacment...

Oh my Lord you read my mind and my intentions 100%

And thanks for the advice on barrel spring

When I check a barrel for springing I do it this way. Strip the top end of a slide off the frame. Next set the slide on a hard table that will not move at all with the sights down against the top of the table and the lower lugs of the barrel facing up. In the slide should be the barrel and the barrel bushing, next push down on the barrel between the lower lugs and the chamber. If you push down or in other words push the barrel into lockup with the slides upper lugs and you see the barrel flex back up upon release then the barrel bushing is springing the barrel. Easily fixed by either reaming the bushing larger or dremeling the bushing to allow more rotation.

Thanks, I'll try that. Any chance the barrel may be springing an undetectable amount but still affect accuracy?

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Any chance the barrel may be springing an undetectable amount but still affect accuracy

Nope, probably not.

What you do have to watch for is if the barrel hood is a very tight fit to the slide it could or can keep the barrel captured therefore you would not realise it is springing. If your barrel is springing it is quite easy to tell as the barrel will move a good bit like 1/16 of an inch or more