Gunsmithing M1A Rebarreling Question

[x ring accuracy]

Hey Gang,
Looking for info on rebarreling an M1A. Any good tutorials / books on the subject? Best way to headspace this rascal? Thanks in advance.

 

[nicholst55]

Re: M1A Rebarreling Question

I'm not aware of any online tutorials for this task, but then I haven't looked. Kuhnhausen's book on Service Rifles is probably your <span style="font-style: italic">best</span> reference (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=582340).

You will need a barrel vise and action wrench, <span style="font-style: italic">maybe</span> a lathe to cut the barrel shoulder with, a pull-through reamer, and headspace gauges. If you have never used a pull-through reamer, I suggest that you seek the advice of someone who has. They use an adjustable thrust bushing, and it's very easy to cut your chamber too deep because of that. You'll also need some means of checking the alignment of the barrel and receiver - either a jig, or an expedient means such as two 24" straight edges, levels, or something similar.

You can rent the pull-through reamer from 4D Reamer Rentals.

Personally, I send mine to Jon Tank at Tanks Rifle Shop (http://www.tanksrifleshop.com)

 

[NYresq]

Re: M1A Rebarreling Question

I will do quite a bit of home smithing, but an M1A I dont even take down beyond normal field stripping. Anything more then that I have a friend that I call to come over and help me. Waaaay to many moving things on an M1A that need to be aligned and in proper adjustment or things get bent or broken... or worse.

Take it to a smith who is well versed in working on M1A/M14 rifles to do any serious work like rebarreling. I have built AR's from scratch, and rebarreled Rem 700 with prethreaded and short chambered after market barrels, but I dont mess with my M1A.

My $.02

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: M1A Rebarreling Question

Thanks for the input. I know they can be finicky.