Gunsmithing Barrel shortening/crowning for a .22lr....easy?

[Guest]

My folks found a beater single-shot .22lr above their garage a few weeks ago. It's salvageable, but the front sight and crown are toast. I am considering making this a learning process.

Is shortening a barrel as easy as Larry Potterfield makes it look on YouTube?

I've been told to use a small pipe cutter to get a good starting point for the hack saw. Any other tips?

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Barrel shortening/crowning for a .22lr....easy?

Shortening a barrel is easy. Lengthening one isn't.

 

[PKGunsmithing]

Re: Barrel shortening/crowning for a .22lr....easy?

I use a recip saw with a metal blade, then recrown with a Muzzle Crown Refacing Tool from Manson. Looks as good as factory - and yes it is as easy as Larry makes it look.

http://www.mansonreamers.com/Current%20catalog/2010January%20version.pdf

Paul Koester
[email protected]

 

[dareposte]

Re: Barrel shortening/crowning for a .22lr....easy?

I've sawed off a few barrels now. Use a hack saw or band saw if you have one, barrel steel is tough so don't expect it to go quick or easy if you're using a manual saw.

I don't usually get the cut perfect, so I clean it up with a file and a machinist's square to get the cut as close to square with the bore as possible.

Then cut the crown of your choice. A piloted crown cutter works great, some people use a brass ball with abrasives. A lathe is probably the best way to do it but not many people have one of those.

Good luck, post pics when you're done! Also remember to keep it legal, under 16" is a no-no.