Barre chords are a problem on acoustics because of the higher action. I have worked with them on a 1953 Martin D-18 and a 1967 Guild F-30 (Hoboken). My suggestion is to use a capo. Shubb capos (http://www.shubb.com/capos.html) are very popular with a lot of players, but I recently saw Bryan Sutton using an Elliot Capo
(http://www.elliottcapos.com/), which was much smaller and less obviously intrusive than the Shubb. I'm almost 61 now and beginning to develop a fair amount of arthritis in my hands, so barre chords are becoming problematic on the acoustics. Capos and /or working with your arrangements in order to arpeggiate the chords rather than holding down the entire six string voicing may also help you.
Bob
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