Where to send barrels for hand lapping?

[Quigley_Up_Over]

I have a couple barrels that I would like to send out to be hand lapped. One is a 5.56mm x 16" long Noveske (Pac Nor) AR-15 barrel and the other is a .22 LR Sako Quad barrel. Who's a quality smith out there that ca do this work in a timely fashion as a top quality level, and how much should I expect to pay? Thanks for any and all replies!

 

[RonAKA]

One thing to consider is that when barrels are hand lapped as manufactured, they are lapped with extra length on the barrel, and before the other end is chambered. The reason is that it is hard not to open up the barrel bore toward the ends of the barrel due to the lapping process. The muzzle end is cut off after lapping, and of course the other end is chambered. For a barrel to shoot well you want a consistent bore diameter right to the end, or even neck down slightly toward the end of the barrel.

 

[BoydAllen]

I don't know of anyone that laps barrels after they are chambered and crowned, at least not a gunsmith....To chancy

 

[wapiti25]

the problem is you are going to enlarge your bore as well as the other comments. The barrel makers allow for this in the forming of the bore and then lap to size. You may "fire lap" if they are real rough inside, as some say that they can make a "bad" barrel some what better. good luck!

 

[Liebetrau88]

Lapping the barrel, if done properly, won't even take off .0005 inches. Also, the biggest concern when lapping a barrel after chambering is screwed up the throat of the barrel as well as the neck area.

 

[tiny68]

I have taken a little roughness off of some factory barrels using JB paste with stops on the rod to prevent it from exiting the muzzle and entering the chamber/neck. It takes a whole lot of strokes (I do a 1,000) with cleaning every 100 or so. I have done this to the last several factory barrels and I think it helps with copper and cleaning/fowling. Some folks subscribe to the fire lapping bullets but I don't want the throat errosion. Luck with your choice, Tim

 

[spclark]

WHY do you feel lapping is necessary? How many rounds do you have on each barrel?

Do you hand-load? I have an unopened & unused Tubb .224 Final Finish fire-lapping kit I'll sell you for less than it probably would cost you to wrap, insure & ship both barrels back and forth.

http://www.superiorshootingsystems.com/RELOADING-FINAL_FINISH.html

 

[bozo699]

I think you should probably rethink this as it isn't a good idea,years ago when I knew less than I do now(is that possible) I screwed up a perfectly good .243 win barrel doing this. I hand lapped and firelapped the lands right out of it. The throat was still rough though by the way your username has gave me quite a chuckle
( Quigley_Up_Over ) That is a awesome username. If you want a match grade barrel my friend you are unfortunatly going to have to shell out some $ as you cant pollish a.... well you know Good luck.
Wayne.

 

[M and C Rifles]

I would fire lap them.
Did this several times using the NECO kit and worked like a charm.
Smoothed them up and they grouped better also.