KAK Industries - Bead-Blasts the Interior Muzzles of their Barrels!

[TheCZKid]

I purchased a KAK Industries 7.62x39 18" barrel last year, and was getting ready to install it to replace a Bear Creek barrel which was not grouping well. I got their VALUE-LINE 7.62X39 18 INCH MID MELONITE BARREL for $150, and had hopes it would be a good shooter. I cleaned the barrel in preparation for swapping the barrels out. Decided to look at the bore with my Teslong Borescope, to check out the "before" being shot rifling, and make sure it was indeed clean.

What I found at the muzzle end was disturbing. It appeared the last 1/8" or so was bead-blasted when the barrel exterior was bead blasted by they people who do their Melonite work on their barrels.

Called the company, they said to take photos and send them in, so I did. They then said the barrel was purchased too long ago, and that they would not replace it. I called and talked to the manager of the customer service, and she indicated the bead blasting on the inside of the front of the barrel is a normal part of their manufacturing process, so if they sent a replacement it would be the same. Hmmm

I have looked at my other aftermarket and original AR barrels from all my other rifles, and the crown areas are in perfect condition. The manager Jenny said the Owner of KAK, Kurt, stated I should mount it, shoot it, and it should be fine.
Anyway, looks like I'm SOL with working anything out with the company, on this unshot barrel.

Here's some photos of the barrel, first of the inner smooth part of the barrel, then the transition where it started getting sandblasted, then the final inside muzzle, showing the pitting and rough surface. Does this seem like an acceptable way to make a barrel? Never seen anything like it. Interested in feedback.

Smooth bore, what most of it looks like.

Where it transitions, starting to get blasted


Another pic of the transition, pretty severe pitting to my eye


And what the end looks like at the crown area.


another

 

[mike mccormick]

Shoot it. See how it does. I have seen barrels looking much worse that shot well.

 

[TheCZKid]

My Howa 22-250 looks pretty bad, with lots of scoring, to my surprise, and it's shoots okay, not nearly as accurately as I had hoped. My old Rem 700 30-06 looks terrible inside, lots of circular gouging, and shoots about 1 MOA.

 

[Dimner]

I purchased a KAK Industries 7.62x39 18" barrel last year, and was getting ready to install it to replace a Bear Creek barrel which was not grouping well. I got their VALUE-LINE 7.62X39 18 INCH MID MELONITE BARREL for $150, and had hopes it would be a good shooter. I cleaned the barrel in preparation for swapping the barrels out. Decided to look at the bore with my Teslong Borescope, to check out the "before" being shot rifling, and make sure it was indeed clean.

What I found at the muzzle end was disturbing. It appeared the last 1/8" or so was bead-blasted when the barrel exterior was bead blasted by they people who do their Melonite work on their barrels.

Called the company, they said to take photos and send them in, so I did. They then said the barrel was purchased too long ago, and that they would not replace it. I called and talked to the manager of the customer service, and she indicated the bead blasting on the inside of the front of the barrel is a normal part of their manufacturing process, so if they sent a replacement it would be the same. Hmmm

I have looked at my other aftermarket and original AR barrels from all my other rifles, and the crown areas are in perfect condition. The manager Jenny said the Owner of KAK, Kurt, stated I should mount it, shoot it, and it should be fine.
Anyway, looks like I'm SOL with working anything out with the company, on this unshot barrel.

Here's some photos of the barrel, first of the inner smooth part of the barrel, then the transition where it started getting sandblasted, then the final inside muzzle, showing the pitting and rough surface. Does this seem like an acceptable way to make a barrel? Never seen anything like it. Interested in feedback.

Smooth bore, what most of it looks like.
View attachment 1508641
Where it transitions, starting to get blasted
View attachment 1508642

Another pic of the transition, pretty severe pitting to my eye
View attachment 1508643

And what the end looks like at the crown area.
View attachment 1508644

another
View attachment 1508645

In my opinion, It's acceptable for an AR $150 barrel. For that price, you get a mass produced barrel made with cost cutting methods. Which is just the same as the bear creek you replaced. I have $100 barrels that shoot great, but I bought them knowing I might get just a run of the mill 2 moa barrel.

I also have paid $350 for an AR barrel, and with those, I expected it to have a much more refined finish and be capable of MOA or less.

 

[TheCZKid]

I purchased a Ballistics Advantage barrel which was on a weekly special, normally $170 down to $139, and it's a very accurate barrel, nicely rifled. My LaRue 20" AR barrel was $245, and it's excellent with good looking bore, very accurate. I got the Bear Creek because my buddy sells them at gun shows and had an account, so I got it cheap. Otherwise I would not have gotten it.

I guess my expectations were too high for a $150 barrel. I know my bolt rifles with Shilen barrels certainly cost more, and are worth it. Had a WOA barrel in 20 Practical AR, very nice, but $440.

 

[JSH]

OMG, it might shoot. Looks worse than may worst milsurp. Sorry to be a downer, but I am not gonna lie.

 

[boltfluter]

For 150.00 that's a keeper! Many Savage barrels look much worse than that and they definitely shoot, for the most part. Good luck.
Paul

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve paid $65 for a no name moa AR15 barrel from Lock Stock and Barrel, and $600 for Shilen installed 1-1/4 moa barrel - “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get.”