[combatantr2]

Hello Stephen and to all HI-Power owners;

I was looking at a used FEG hi-power and noticed that the barrel was somekind like a 2 piece barrel designe. I can clearly see the line, which at first looked like a crack, but as you make a 360 degree closer inspection you'll discover that the barrel is indeed a 2 piece barrel. Have shot it on a test run of 30rounds on lead-reloads without a hiccup, but I was concerned on the barrel designe. New FEGs now seem to have the 1 piece barrel. Im very much wanting to get a hi-power though a clone but should I be wary about the 2 piece barrel?

Clearly this particular FEG is somekind of a 1st generation designe. Guide rod is seated differently on the barrel with a relief cut directly engaged to the barrel block. While the newer ones are just loosely seated on the barrel block. 2nd, the slide stop design is quite different from the new ones. The newer versions dont have the circular thing that is in line with the barrel link hole. 3rd, the thumb safety is not extended. However, these are just least of my concerns.

Hope you can enlighten me more on the 2 piece barrel designe.

Thanks in advance.

[Marko Kloos]

FN and Browning HPs have a two-piece barrel as well, so don't sweat it.

[ktd]

Springfield 1911's often have two piece barrels as well. I think S&W autos do as well but am not too sure. It is not necessarily a good or bad thing, just a different way of making barrels that is often cheaper.

k

[rellascout]

Only some very early Hi-Powers have single piece barrels.

You can get a one piece barrel from Barsto but it might be over kill for a Feg.

it will shoot fine and as long as you don't shoot a ton of +P it will out live you. :)

[Erich]

Here's a brief article on the subject from Steve Camp's terrific site:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/TwoPieceBarrels.htm

[combatantr2]

Erich;

Great link. Had been sleeping on this and did a lot of thingking about it as the owner was generous enough to lend me the pistol for an overnite stay to help me make a decision.

One more query, in a 2 piece barrel design - how do they join the two together?

Thanks and im getting closer to deciding.

[Harold Mayo]

CAN YOU get a one-piece barrel from Bar-sto for a hi-power? Last time I asked about it I was told that they didn't make such a thing and that their barrels were a two-piece design...that there just wasn't money in making a one-piece hi-power barrel.

[HammerBite]

I started wondering why they would make a two-piece barrel and I would guess that they do it to save material costs.

In order to make a one-piece barrel you have to start with a chunk of steel that is somewhat longer, wider and higher than the barrel you wish to make. You then remove everything that doesn't look like a barrel. This results in a lot of wasted material forward of the locking lug.

By making a two-piece barrel, with the break just forward of the locking lug, you can build the forward piece with stock of smaller dimensions and thereby waste less. You can also make the rearward piece with little waste.

Any machinists on the forum to tell me if this makes sense?

[rellascout]

Barsto does not current produce them but they did at one time. As Camp's website states some early match barrels had a one piece design. If you can find one it will be cheaper than a FN/BHP pre 60's barrel.

Sorry if my post mislead one to believe Barsto is currently producing single piece barrels.

[res1b3uq]

I had one of the FEG's and it did an excellent job for me. The hammer bit me the first time I pulled back the slide-before I ever fired it. I put adjustable sites on mine and it was a very accurate pistol. I sold everything except my .45's so I don't still have it. It was a PJK.

[Jim Watson]

Supposedly they went to two piece barrels so the "grain" of the forging would run correctly in the underlug. I think it was to save money like Springfield's standard model 1911s and their two-piece barrels.

But it is functionally the same as the Monobloc system used on all manner of high grade shotguns, including Beretta and Perazzi. Don't worry about it.

[BHPshooter]

They've been that way since the late 50s. It's nothing to worry about.

Wes

[AJ Dual]

There might even be an advantage. I assume the barrel sleeves into the breech/locking lug area? Probaby is pressed in with a significant interference fit, and it's not going anywhere...

The barrel and the chamber block/locking lugs could be made from different steels with different heat treatments, each beneficial to it's particular function in the barrel.

I'm not saying they do this, but the two-part design makes it possible.