Barrel threading - rifle - for muzzle brake

[Strafer]

I'm working on a Mosin-based scout rifle project. I've shortened and re-crowned the barrel to 20" and would like to install a muzzle brake. The places that do barrel threading seem to be all high-end shops that cater to the silencer crowd and other big shots. Mine is a low budget project, and the prices are so high I'm wondering if I ought to buy a lathe, do my own threading, and then start threading for others. Anybody know what such a lathe would cost, and how hard it would be to learn how to do such work? I don't need to retain to become a full blown machinist -- just specialize in barrel shortening, re-crowning, threading, etc. Also I don't "get" the costs for muzzle brakes, which seem like they ought to be very cheap to manufacture, but instead seem quite expensive, from $50 up to $200 . . .

 

[WALKERs210]

Threading barrel

I purchased a 1/2" x 28 thread die to thread the barrel on my Maadi AK. Cost of the die was around $22.00 plus shipping, took me all of five (5) min and it was done. Don't remember the web site but they had just about every size tap and die you could ever want.

 

[Strafer]

Thanks. My muzzle is not a standard diameter and will need to be turned down slightly to accept a 5/8" brake. If the diameter were correct I'd take a shot at cutting the threads, so it's really the turning down part that's complicating things.

 

[M-Cameron]

unfortunately metal lathes are not cheap.....for something that will handle a barrel, its going to run in the area of $2,000-6,000.

i think your best bet would be to just have a competent gun smith cut the threads for you.....it may be a little more than you want to spend, but thats your best chance for getting it dont right the first time.

 

[WALKERs210]

Just did a search and guess I got lucky found the place on first try. The place I got my dies is WWW.CNCWARRIOR.COM they have all types of muzzle brakes and other accessorizes plus the tap and dies. Also put the mics on my Mosin barrel and it comes out to just over 15mm, and CNCWARRIOR has one die for $26.00. Also have a wide selection of brakes of just about all sizes and types.

 

[Strafer]

Thanks but since my barrel is cut down the diameter is almost 17 mm. I'll check the CNC site but I think I'm going to have to go with 5/8" brake and get the bbl turned down by a local machine shop. I'll let you know how it "turns" out!

 

[MtnCreek]

When you talk to the machine shop, discuss the importance of their work being in line with the bore, not the outer dia of the barrel.

Good Luck.

 

[rcmodel]

-- just specialize in barrel shortening, re-crowning, threading, etc.

As said a lathe big enough to handle rifle barrels is cost prohibitive.

And if you take possesion of a customers rifle and keep it overnight to do any work on it?
You have to have a FFL (Federal Firearms Licence), keep a bound book for the ATF, etc.

NOT worth the trouble for what you had in mind.

rc

 

[highorder]

Cut, crown, turn and thread one barrel is the kind of thing you pay a smith to do, or make friends with a machinist.

You could also get a job in a machine shop that allows gov't work after hours.

 

[Strafer]

I admit I am a cheap bastard. I did buy a muzzle crowning kit in .30 and 8 mm. from Brownells and have used it to recrown several shortened barrels, so it was a decent investment. I hate buying tools almost as much as I hate paying gunsmiths (I'm not sure I ever have paid a gunsmith to do anything). I'm thinking of offering an hours worth of free legal work in return for a threading job.

 

[triggerman770]

"And if you take possesion of a customers rifle and keep it overnight to do any work on it?
not quite so. If you charge anyone for work on their gun you must be licensed. a licesee does not hsve to log a gun in his books that are not kept overnite. Anyone who charges for work on anyone's guns are considered to be "in business" and needs an 01 or 07 FFL

 

[rcmodel]

I was thinking if they were not paying to have the work done, they wouldn't be a "customer" now would they?

rc

 

[Zeke/PA]

I installed muzzle brakes several times when I was still emloyed!
Yep! Sometimes "Government" jobs are what gets a person some recognition.

 

[Kp321]

To insure concentricity with the bore, the threads should be single point cut with the lathe. This is not a job for an inexperienced machinist, it takes skill, practice and a good lathe.

 

[Twmaster]

This.

Especially since the M-N is notorious for having the bore cut off center.

 

[bainter1212]

There is a guy on the net somewhere (don't have a link just now) that sells all sorts of kits for DIY muzzle threading. I think I found it by googling "SKS muzzle brake" or "SKS muzzle brake die kit". Although as you so rightly stated, the tapered barrel on a Mosin means that most likely your muzzle will be too thick to use a standard threading kit. Sounds like you will have to have that muzzle turned down before any threading can commence.
I thought about installing a brake on my Mosin scout project (I cut my barrel down to 18"), and ran into this same dilemma. Decided to forego the brake, I have a good recoil pad on there and the recoil is manageable. Good luck with whatever you decide.