Do all 1911 barrels have links?

Yes, they all still have the link.

 

No link, no 1911.

 

I think it depends on your definition of "1911", but there are pistols out there that advertise having "linkless barrels" with traditional 1911 firing controls, like the STI LS. Instead of a link and bushing with the barrel lugs locking to the slide, the barrel lug is on the bottom and locks into the guide rod.

 

Briley makes (or made, once upon a time) a linkless barrel. It requires machining special camming surfaces into the frame. I own one and it works well enough, though I can't say I see any advantage to it.

 

True.

I don't consider the LS a 1911 at all.

It doesn't even use a 1911 frame.

 

Unless of course you want to argue as some due, that the Browning Hi-Power is an "upgraded" 1911.

 

The Hi-Power has some design improvements, the linkless barrel being one of them.

That said, its no upgraded 1911.

 

No it's not, But this is!!!!!!!!!

 

Actually there are linkless 1911's. Peters Stahl is the only current design I can think of.

However, in the past they were more prevalent. Here are some promo literature shots from Springfield. Offered not only in the Omega but standard 1911's too. I actually had the choice of link or linkless when I bought mine in 1990 (although I chose with link). There are some folks on 10mmtalk with pics of their linkless though.

 

Sometimes. Here are a few pics of my Springfield Armory Omega, which is the linkless system. This one is in 10mm and is a 6 inch ported barrel slide. Since it is a true 1911 frame I am fitting a Springfield 5 inch 45 slide to the frame. The Omega was designed as a multiple caliber pistol, by changing just barrel, and magazine you could go to 10 mm, 45, 38 super, 9mm I think. The breechface wasn't a problem due to the dual extractors, one on each side.

 

I take a firm, although not collector's position.
If it will not interchange parts with a USGI service pistol, it isn't a 1911.
Maybe the Peter Stahl system works, but the gun just looks like a 1911 externally.
I had the similar Jarvis Kam Lok barrel put in a gun, but the machining converted it from a 1911 to Something Else. (I later had it converted back to normal operation. Fortunately a machinist helped me out and my gunsmith cut me some slack. At full prices, the gun would have been scrap.

 

Maybe the STI LS is "the missing link"

 

Not sure what you are talking about. When I bought my standard (not an Omega) SA1911 I had a the option of link or linkless. The only parts difference was the barrel/cam/link system. All of the other parts are 1911 parts, we are not talking about just looking cosmetically like a 1911 they are 1911's -- same slide and frame as my regular one.

 

The pics that I posted were of my Springfield omega linkless system, and the same frame trigger with a Springfield 1911 topend. The fitting I referred to was done on the slide for clearance of the 10mm ejector. The ejector for a 10mm is closer to the centerline of the pistol than is a 45. If I had changed to a 45 ejector the slide would have fit without any modifications, but I wanted the option of changing from 10mm to 45 without tools, and quickly. The Omega topend may not be 1911, but the frame definitely is.

 

So how does it shoot compared to a "normal" 1911?

 

!0 mm can be pretty hot, but most are not. I would say it shoots about the same as 45 in this as it's 6 inch barrel/slide is heavier than normal. Also the barrel and slide is factory ported .

 

I think I'm confused about what the purpose of the second extractor is on the side opposite the ejection port.

 

theyre 1911oids