[TnBigBore]

Please forgive my ignorance if this is a foolish question. Can a rifle barrel be straightened satisfactorally if is is only slightly bent? I found a rare Marlin 336that has a slightly bent barrel. The seller says he knows a gunsmith that can straighten barrels so that they are as good as new. In all my years of gun trading and shooting, I have never dealt with the issue. Any information you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Neal

[rcmodel]

Yes, if the person doing the straightening knows what he is doing.

All new cut rifling barrels are checked for straightness, and straightened if necessary after rifling at the factories.

They use a big screw arbor press and the guy running it can tell by the reflections he see's looking through it where it is bent, and if he has it straightened or not.

rc

[JCisHe]

Sounds expensive...

[natman]

Yes, a barrel can be straightened, and yes, the factories do it all the time in the manner described above.

However, I strongly suspect that the amount of bend in new factory barrels is pretty small. If your 336 is bent enough to see from the outside I would have some doubts as to how effectively it can be straightened. I would talk to the gunsmith first and get an estimate in writing before you buy.

Keep in mind that 336s with straight barrels are plentiful and cheap.

[rcmodel]

I found a rare Marlin 336

What is rare about it?

rc

[TnBigBore]

It is a 1973 336A in 35 Remington with a 24" barrel. This was the second version of the 336A and they dropped the 35 Rem after the first year. It is an exceedingly rare gun. After many years of searching, this is the first one I have found.

[rcmodel]

The seller says he knows a gunsmith that can straighten barrels so that they are as good as new.Well, then why didn't he have him straighten it and sell the gun at full market value?

I sure wouldn't pay full market value + pay a gunsmith to try to straighten it, with no guarantee it will shoot when you get done.

IF you can buy it cheap enough, and IF the barrel isn't kinked beyond straightening, and IF you can discuss it with the gunsmith before buying it, and IF he thinks it is doable, and IF -----------

Well, sure a lot of IF's, but you get the picture.

rc

[TnBigBore]

I hear you on the IFs. I don't have any intention of paying for the repairs on top of his original asking price. Of course it is very hard to establish market value for a gun that is nearly impossible to find. I don't think the seller knew the barrel was bent until I brought it to his attention. He had just bought the rifle in a group of guns and obviously did not go over each barrel. The rifle is in otherwise good condition. I will proceed guardedly, but just know it may be possible to fix gives me some hope. I appreciate all your help.

[avan47]

"Yes, a barrel can be straightened, and yes, the factories do it all the time "
Send it back to Marlin and let them straighten it. They probably have the know how and the equipment to do it right. You might try calling Marlin and getting their opinion on buying that rifle.

[JCisHe]

+1 for Avan

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't think Marlin or any other gun manufacturer is going to give an opinion on a private sale.

[rcmodel]

I seriously doubt they are going to straighten the barrel on a bent 336 made in 1973 either!

If you send it to them, it will come back with a new (and incorrect) barrel on it I betcha.

rc

[Bart B.]

Straightening a bent barrel may work, but it's got to be properly stress relieved after put in one of those "barrel benders" oft times shown in pictures.

As soon as a barrel's bent, there's stress lines built up at that point. Straightening it adds more stress lines. That stress has to be relieved by proper heat treating else that barrel will bend from heat when fired and bullet's impact will start walking in some direction.

[Roccobro]

I'd buy it for the collectors value and leave it at that. Letting anyone monkey on it (other than the factory) is asking to lower it's value.

And yes, I'm sure Marlin can help you out. I've had them help me make a Frankenstein 1894C into a 336 stock variant.

Justin

[TnBigBore]

The seller is having a gunsmith straighten the barrel. I am told he has the specialized equipment to do the job. I will look the rifle over after the job is finished before even thinking about purchasing it. It was not a bad bend really, barely noticeable.

[krs]

why couldn't a barrel be removed, set up between centers in a lathe, and bopped with a rubber hammer until it indicates true. Then have it heated or cyro'ed to get those molecules to do as their told? Might need to recrown, depending.

OK, or use a press instead of a hammer to do the nasty.

[chris allen]

Absolutely your barrel can be straightend with out problem .I have straighten many over the years .Especially good for guns as described were you do not want to change the originality of the gun.

Chris

[545days]

KRS,
The bore and OD of the barrel are not perfectly aligned. The barrel may be straight on the outside, and the bore slightly curved.