Barrel threading options.

[bkjeffrey]

My local smith has a 4 month turn around so he says. I found a machine shop with a lathe and the guy says he can thread my barrel for 10 bucks. "easy job" He says.....anyway.

I told him 1/2x28 RH threads. He asked me "A,B or C threads" Started rambling on about pitch diameter and ensuring I got what I wanted........

So, when threading a barrel is it A,B or C threads?

 

[bkjeffrey]

Ok, thanks for all the responses. 2A it is.

 

[RogersPrecision]

Nobody can properly thread a barrel for $10.
Careful.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Nobody can properly thread a barrel for $10.

I knew it was gonna come, someone was gonna say it.

Your right, actually hes charging me 15 bucks.

Yea.... he's not a " gunsmith " so obviously he doesnt know how to cut threads concentric to a cylinders bore. The place thats doing it is a full on machine shop thats been in business here for many years.

http://smwcorp.com/

Check them out. its only about a mile from my house too......

These guys make precision stuff for major industries all over the world. Im sure cutting some threads on a tube is an easy job for them. He'll probably do it on his lunch break between making aerospace components for Boeing and Lockheed Martin .

Im just glad Im not paying a "gunsmith" a hundred bucks and waiting " four months"

I like to call it "out-sourcing".........

 

[BADUNAME27]

I've been in this trade for over ten years.

Can it be done? Sure. After all it is just a matter of putting threads on a cylinder concentric to the hole going down the middle. Certainly not rocket science although a little thought must be employed to do it right.

BUT. . .

. . .Is he going to stand behind it if the carriage feed pops out and eats a ring in your threads? is he going to replace a barrel if he misses the pitch diameter and the barrel fits like a hardware store nut on a piece of all thread? if this thing shoots the barrel off the end of the receiver and your friends have to find what's left of your face and get it to the ER so they can reattach it will he be there standing tall to do the right thing?

A highschool kid in shop could build an engine too. You going to trust him to do it?


There's a reason gunsmiths charge what they charge. One is liability. Two, your not buying the job, your renting the experience.


I charge between 250 and 300 and my turn around is less than two weeks. Yes. That's a lot of "experience" and I back it up with a pedigree of international wins in championship events. Olympic gold medalists, Kings, and former presidents own rifles I've built.

Good luck.

 

[bkjeffrey]

Guys, its just the muzzle of an AK!

And I see that both of you are well respected members of the shooting community. So, with that info, thank you for providing me with the information I requested regarding the original question in the original post.

if this thing shoots the barrel off the end of the receiver

I think you misunderstood, Hes not threading the reciever/ breech end of the bbl.

I charge between 250 and 300

Thats as much as the gun cost.....again, its the muzzle of an AK. Tantal to be exact, 5.45x39, hence the 1/2x28 for different muzzle devices.

 

[Zeke/PA]

" Chasing" threads is a routine chore for an expirenced Toolmaker/Machinist and threading up to a shoulder , well within realm of the so skilled.
The guy asking, " A,B, or C" threads is however blowing smoke IMHO.

 

[Chawbaccer]

In my experience, most guys in machine shops are big on guns, so they know what you want. Ask the machinist and see if you can trust him.

 

[rmfnla]

You want 2A.

Class 1 is a loose fit for stuff for quick & easy assembly.

Class 3 is for high-tolerance units.

Class 2 splits the difference just right (A means external thrads, BTW).

 

[jimmyraythomason]

You want 2A.

Class 1 is a loose fit for stuff for quick & easy assembly.

Class 3 is for high-tolerance units.

Class 2 splits the difference just right (A means external thrads, BTW).

I have learned something so today is a success.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

FWIW,my smith Jim McCullough in Selma,Al. charges $75 to thread,install and headspace a barrel(at least for 98 Mauser),with a 4-6 week turnaround. Just saying.

 

[RogersPrecision]

I'm ignorant on a few points. I've single-pointed lots of threads in my day, both gun work and aerospace.
With an AK how would you turn the end of the barrel to the required diameter before using a die? If die cut threads were all you needed.
I don't see any way to create nice threads without removing the barrel? And I understand this is no small feat with an AK.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

without removing the barrel?

unless the barrel is removed from the receiver,the machine shop would have to have an FFL to do the work.

 

[bkjeffrey]

You want 2A.

Class 1 is a loose fit for stuff for quick & easy assembly.

Class 3 is for high-tolerance units.

Class 2 splits the difference just right (A means external thrads, BTW).

Thanks, for reading the original post and responding accordingly.

Now, for discussion........

I don't see any way to create nice threads without removing the barrel? And I understand this is no small feat with an AK.

Yup, barrel is removed. Easy job if you have a press (which I do), some spare change and random pieces of steel laying around for dunnage. Takes all of 15 minutes from start to finish...
Ive been hobby gunsmithing for 12 years. The only tool I havent invested in yet is a lathe. Someday...........

Ive Die threaded barrels with TATs before with good results. But in the case with this AK Im working on, I need a few thousandths turned from the barrel, so its going to a "real" machine shop for some simple surgery. I should have it back tomorrow. I dropped it off pretty late today. Ill post the final price, results and pics of the job when its done.