Threading a tensioned barrel...?

[cidirkona]

Most of the 10/22 barrels I've seen are "tensioned" which seems to mean that there is a tension in the exterior of the barrel to keep it straight. Is there a possibility of having the barrels threaded, or is that not possible?

I really don't know much about any of that...

Thanks!
-Colin

 

[Matt-man]

The design of the Volquartsen tensioned barrels does prevent them from being threaded for things like suppressors. However, if you have one that has their compensator installed, you can remove the comp and install an adapter that provides a 1/2x28 thread. I'm sure Volquartsen would be willing to sell you a barrel with the adapter already installed instead of the compensator.

The adapter is the first item on this page: https://www.volquartsen.com/vc/public/ListItems.do?familyID=20

Most of the 10/22 bull barrels that I've seen, though, are solid steel and not a tensioned design. Volquartsen is the only vendor I know of producing a tensioned barrel for the 10/22, while there are a good half-dozen brands of steel barrels for these rifles. Threading a steel barrel should be a simple matter for a good machinist.

 

[Bigfoot]

Whistlepig makes a bi-metal barrel, I don't know if it's tensioned or not. I'm not sure it would matter on a 22LR anyway.

http://www.wpgbc.com/

 

[Matt-man]

The WhistlePig barrels aren't tensioned - they are aluminum with a steel liner bonded in place. I don't know if this would make a good candidate for threading since you might end up threading aluminum, or steel, depending on what diameter thread you need.

 

[444]

I have a tensioned 10/22 barrel, but it also has an integral suppressor.