Re-barreling or New Builds

[Mike in Oregon]

When re-barreling or doing a new build, is it best to order the barrel directly from your chosen manufacture finished and to your specs or have your gunsmith do it in-house, if setup to do so? I have recently heard a lot of opinions on this topic in the last couple days would like to hear your input.

 

[Ccrider]

If I was doing a prefit, I would go with my own smith or urbanrifleman. It’s always better to have someone you can talk to responsive to your specific situation and focused on putting out quality work.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If I was doing a prefit, I would go with my own smith or urbanrifleman. It’s always better to have someone you can talk to responsive to your specific situation and focused on putting out quality work.

FYI-Not a pre-fit. I hear you though.

 

[JMayo]

Competition rifles.
I have parts or barrels dropped shipped to my GS.

 

[shortgrass]

If you are asking if the barrel should be ordered contoured by the barrel maker, yes, order it in the contour you want. There have been many threads here looking for someone who will contour a barrel, not many do. Your question is not clear.

 

[Will Henry]

It depends on your gunsmith, your requirements (what is important to you), and the barrel-maker's willingness to accommodate you. Some barrel-makers make a heck of a barrel but offer limited contour options. Some gunsmiths can do a great job of fitting and chambering, but contouring is something they prefer to avoid. I often re-contour to meet weight restrictions or to alter balance. With some barrels, it is necessary in order to have to have a usable result.
Cost can be a factor. A well equipped shop which contours barrels as a matter of course, can produce a contour faster and cheaper than a 'smith using manual equipment.
So, as I said at the beginning; it depends. WH

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If you are asking if the barrel should be ordered contoured by the barrel maker, yes, order it in the contour you want. There have been many threads here looking for someone who will contour a barrel, not many do. Your question is not clear.

Order it 100% finished including being chambered to where the GS just has to screw it in so to speak. Yes.

 

[Steve Donlon]

If you want a specific twist rate or gain twist , it could take 8 months to get made. If you can't find exactly what you want, just plan ahead and order one from the manufacture.

 

[shortgrass]

Order it 100% finished including being chambered to where the GS just has to screw it in so to speak. Yes.

When I was taking in work, I'd tell the prospective to please find someone else. "Real" gunsmiths aren't just 'labor', they are skilled labor. Any idiot with a few tools should be able to just "screw it on so to speak". Only specific actions are close enough that a chamber can be cut from a print, and have it headspace and 'fit'. Chances are, you would wait much longer to have the barrel maker thread, chamber your barrel, than you would a gunsmith. The exception being Douglas, and theirs would be short or long chambered. Long chambered still requiring a lathe, but not a reamer,, short requiring a reamer,,,, headspace gages required for either. I didn't do short/long chambered barrels, either, that's hobby 'gunsmith' stuff. Always had more than enough 'real' gunsmith work to keep me busy. Most 'real' gunsmiths have similar views......