I used to push a tight patch thru a factory, and you could feel different uniformities thru the barrel, but not with Lilja or Kieger.
More imporatantly is the chamber job from your gunsmith IMO.
bigcountry You spoke volumes.
I was amazed at how easy it is to clean a match grade barrel compared to a factory barrel.
I highly recommend a Lilja barrel. Dan Lilja does great work. IMHO