First of all -- apologies for not updating this thread.
The first trip to the range went really well. Gun shot as well as I hoped it would (given this was the first time I had installed a barrel in a 1911). It's certainly not a match-grade setup, but it's great for a change of pace at the range.
Ultimately, 2 issues came up that I have yet to resolve:
1 - recoil spring is too stiff for some loads
and
2 - the front sight had been filed down by the previous owner, and does not work for me. I guess my next project will be removing and restaking the front sight.