Shortening a SS Barrel

300magman · September 25, 2009, 01:00 PM

I'm just wondering if there is any unique property of stainless steel that would prevent me from shortening a barrel in the same way that one would with a typical blued barrel.
Is there anything I would need to do to the new muzzle of the barrel to seal it, or finish it after shortening? With a typical barrel you have to reblue, but is there anything to do with SS or is it just good to go?
And is SS harder to drill and thread?

mapsjanhere · September 25, 2009, 04:31 PM

SS is a b*tch to drill and tap and cut and machine ...
Try to find out what steel it is and check the machining qualities. Some of the SS can really gum up your normal tools.

Harry Bonar · September 25, 2009, 07:24 PM

Sir;
Most stainless steel will work O.K.
Select the length you want and hacksaw about 1/4" longer. Put it in you lathe, properly zeroed front and rear and square the muzzle. Then cut a recess crown, not a 11 degree crown and lightly break the rifling edge with a very sharp cutter or a hand lap.
Harry B.

oneoldsap · September 25, 2009, 07:30 PM

Why not cut it with the lathe ??

300magman · September 25, 2009, 07:52 PM

because I don't have one

Is gumming up things, why its a no fun to work with, or is it actually difficult to get the desired results, even if it doesn't gum up the works?

Harry Bonar · September 26, 2009, 07:14 PM

Sir;
If you don't have a lathe I've used this method for years:
Cut off barrel with hacksaw 1/4 " longer than wanted and carefully file it flat using a square realizing that the barrel is tapered and you'll see a little light under the one side of the square to get it square! Get it the same all the way around the barrel.
Then I use a brass (bronze) rod wiyh a 60 degree center coated with laping compound and cut the rifling edge slightly, If done correctly it's as good as a lathe!
Harry B.

300magman · September 27, 2009, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the replys everyone, the method Harry described is exactly what I was hoping I would be able to do...good reminder on the squaring too.

September 25, 2009, 01:00 PM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Shortening a SS Barrel I'm just wondering if there is any unique property of stainless steel that would prevent me from shortening a barrel in the same way that one would with a typical blued barrel. Is there anything I would need to do to the new muzzle of the barrel to seal it, or finish it after shortening? With a typical barrel you have to reblue, but is there anything to do with SS or is it just good to go? And is SS harder to drill and thread?

September 25, 2009, 04:31 PM	#2
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	SS is a b*tch to drill and tap and cut and machine ... Try to find out what steel it is and check the machining qualities. Some of the SS can really gum up your normal tools. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

September 25, 2009, 07:24 PM	#3
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	shortening Sir; Most stainless steel will work O.K. Select the length you want and hacksaw about 1/4" longer. Put it in you lathe, properly zeroed front and rear and square the muzzle. Then cut a recess crown, not a 11 degree crown and lightly break the rifling edge with a very sharp cutter or a hand lap. Harry B.

September 25, 2009, 07:52 PM	#5
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	^^^ because I don't have one Is gumming up things, why its a no fun to work with, or is it actually difficult to get the desired results, even if it doesn't gum up the works? Last edited by 300magman; September 25, 2009 at 07:57 PM.

September 26, 2009, 07:14 PM	#6
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	cut-off Sir; If you don't have a lathe I've used this method for years: Cut off barrel with hacksaw 1/4 " longer than wanted and carefully file it flat using a square realizing that the barrel is tapered and you'll see a little light under the one side of the square to get it square! Get it the same all the way around the barrel. Then I use a brass (bronze) rod wiyh a 60 degree center coated with laping compound and cut the rifling edge slightly, If done correctly it's as good as a lathe! Harry B.

September 25, 2009, 07:30 PM	#4
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Why not cut it with the lathe ??

September 27, 2009, 12:21 PM	#7
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Thanks for the replys everyone, the method Harry described is exactly what I was hoping I would be able to do...good reminder on the squaring too.