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Kimber Rifle Barrels

I would almost bet on Wilson. I have heard several times that Wilson makes barrels for Cooper.
But I am just taking a guess.
EDIT
Wilson is indeed credited with making Cooper's barrels.
It had been said that Douglas made Kimber barrels at one time. Maybe @Stan Taylor would share some insight on that?
 
Barrels are a commodity and I dare say few companies especialy small ones can afford to be completely brand loyal. You have specification and a price point. You would have a list of suppliers that you know you can work with that are consistent and a price range. That is why I own Douglass, Bergara, LW, Wilson, Brux, Excalibur and many other.
 
Well they have one rifle with a Proof barrel on it now.

I thought I remember the original Dan Cooper Kimbers had Douglas barrels on them but maybe I’m mistaken.
 
redrockranger said:
Wasn't Kimber started by the Warne family. From Australia ?
Click to expand...

Yes, it was started by Greg Warne's dad in Oz, they moved the operation to the PNW and started Kimber of Oregon where Greg took the reins over.

Both Cooper and Kimber use Wilson barrels as I'm told by CS there at both companies.
 
We here at Douglas have installed a lot of barrels on Kimber actions for customers but I don't think we ever supplied them with anything unless it would have been a single order for a build.
 
xswanted said:
Well they have one rifle with a Proof barrel on it now.

I thought I remember the original Dan Cooper Kimbers had Douglas barrels on them but maybe I’m mistaken.
Click to expand...
Would a manufacturer such as Kimber buy ready to screw on barrels?

Other than Proof Research?
And if buying a carbon Proof Research would they buy blanks, or ready to screw on?

I ask this because Savage has released their Ultra Light with Proof Research barrel also.
 
std7mag said:
Would a manufacturer such as Kimber buy ready to screw on barrels?

Other than Proof Research?
And if buying a carbon Proof Research would they buy blanks, or ready to screw on?

I ask this because Savage has released their Ultra Light with Proof Research barrel also.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure on that one.


My guess is Kimber is buying blanks and chambering them themselves.

Savage is probably buying a “prefit” based on how their system works.
 
I'm not too sure on that with regards to Savage.
They already have their reamers and button rifling setup.
Why pay someone else to do it?
 
std7mag said:
I'm not too sure on that with regards to Savage.
They already have their reamers and button rifling setup.
Why pay someone else to do it?
Click to expand...

Very true. Only thought in my head is that you can buy prefit Savage barrels already and if they bought a pile of them from Proof set you that way, it might make more sense to just assemble them in house and use their own stuff for other rifles they make.
 
Around 1983 I bought a Kimber .22 Hornet. In no time, I shot the barrel out. It was sent back to Kimber and they re-barreled it under warranty. It quickly shot out again, and I am talking a very few rounds like 200. Sent it back, had it re-barreled again. But this time the gun shop I was dealing with kept the barrel shank and had a metallurgist that worked for the Navy test it out. Turns out Kimber was chambering .22lr barrels in .22 Hornet. I never shot it again and sold it as quick as I could. Funny how that type of thing leaves a bad taste in your mouth that lasts for decades.
 
xswanted said:
Very true. Only thought in my head is that you can buy prefit Savage barrels already and if they bought a pile of them from Proof set you that way, it might make more sense to just assemble them in house and use their own stuff for other rifles they make.
Click to expand...

A well placed and highly reputable source told me that most, if not all of the major firearms manufacturers have at one time or another used barrels from a source other than their own factory. The reason for their doing that is or could be either a production shortage, a factory equipment malfunction causing a back log, or even a special limited edition model of rifle.

That makes perfect sense to me anyway. JME.WD
 
Knotwild said:
Around 1983 I bought a Kimber .22 Hornet. In no time, I shot the barrel out. It was sent back to Kimber and they re-barreled it under warranty. It quickly shot out again, and I am talking a very few rounds like 200. Sent it back, had it re-barreled again. But this time the gun shop I was dealing with kept the barrel shank and had a metallurgist that worked for the Navy test it out. Turns out Kimber was chambering .22lr barrels in .22 Hornet. I never shot it again and sold it as quick as I could. Funny how that type of thing leaves a bad taste in your mouth that lasts for decades.
Click to expand...


I remember from long ago some saying that he complained to Pres of Kimber about the quality of wood in his rifle stock. The Pres told him that "if it came from here it's good enough".
 
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