Hi, I recently acquired a Winchester M1 receiver that I wanted to turn into a rifle. I have a bunch of necessary tools and gauges to put a barrel on it (and finish reaming), but need some advice on choosing which of two brand new barrels I have on hand to go with.
I have a Bula Defense Systems barrel, which initially would hand tighten slightly past TDC, obviously no good, so I peened/swaged the shoulder to where it is now 7 degrees before TDC when hand tight.
I also have a Criterion barrel which is about 40 degrees (!!!) before TDC hand tight.
I have read that given enough leverage and effort a Criterion barrel will index without cutting the shoulder (I have no lathe, or know anyone who has one), but I have the giant CMP wrench, and even a pipe extension, if needed. The BDS barrel should not take a lot of effort to index, but given the way I got it to 7 degrees, I don't know if that will be a reliable install. So feels like neither option is ideal. Would appreciate some advice for DIY approach, obviously if all else fails I can take it to a gun smith.
I have a Bula Defense Systems barrel, which initially would hand tighten slightly past TDC, obviously no good, so I peened/swaged the shoulder to where it is now 7 degrees before TDC when hand tight.
I also have a Criterion barrel which is about 40 degrees (!!!) before TDC hand tight.
I have read that given enough leverage and effort a Criterion barrel will index without cutting the shoulder (I have no lathe, or know anyone who has one), but I have the giant CMP wrench, and even a pipe extension, if needed. The BDS barrel should not take a lot of effort to index, but given the way I got it to 7 degrees, I don't know if that will be a reliable install. So feels like neither option is ideal. Would appreciate some advice for DIY approach, obviously if all else fails I can take it to a gun smith.
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