L3i New "Stinger" Barreled action

[Mechdesigner]

I beg to differ sir.

“Match” chamber, rifling and lapping all have huge impact on the grouping, as much or more so than the ammo alone. Other factors such as how well the prefit mates up to the receiver and how deep the grub screw cuts may affect the amount of surrounding chamber steel. Barrel steel, diameter and length affects harmonics, hence why tuners (fact or fiction) are popular (or fad).

I am interested in the performance based on design intent and whether it matches expectations. From very small sampling and sampling size, it is rather bold statements to claim this barrel will hang with the other higher tier prefit barrel offerings.

I am not throwing any shade on L3i, and I have a purchase in that I am waiting for (so I put my money on the line, same as everyone else), and just curious as to performance, as they have not shared any information from their testing (to date). Edit: Sorry, this last comment is with regards to the CZ pre-fit barrel offerings, not on the Stinger Barreled Action, although, one can be a somewhat indicator of the other, maybe.

We posted groups on our facebook page and Josh from pursuit of accuracy posted a youtube video of it shooting groups as well. Our barrels shoot very well! When I return from the PRS finale on Wednesday we start shipping them!

 

[Cody S]

"Higher Tier" prefit doesn't make sense to me. 99% of guys don't pay for lot testing and test groups outside, the barrel isn't the variable that makes the last smidge of accuracy. Why wouldn't we put the barrel up against anyone else?? It's a lead lapped premium blank that is chambered, inspected and held to a high standard. Lilja makes hammers and they do the exact same thing. I'm not trying to come off harsh but barrels aren't priced according to performance, every company just prices them according to what they feel is appropriate.

Standing up a barrel company to support an action wasn't in the original plans but we're extremely proud of where it's taking us!

As a note. Our desert precision B14R, Bartien Vudoo, L3I CZ, RimX shilen ratchet, Stiller Saturn and Stinger all shoot equally great. Any one of them could win a match and the ammo will be your limiting factor.

that dude doesn't understand that last little bit of price premium is usually related to coatings or R&D lol

 

[J_Reacher]

I appreciate your response and comments.

My initial comments were asking about any performance info on the Stinger barrels action as this thread was mainly about that.

I got sidetracked (my mistake) on commenting thinking I was in the other thread about the L3i CZ prefit barrel coming out. On that, as it hasn’t been yet released and only some test or review information out (sorry, but I am not on Facebook so I did not see anything you have posted there), and as I am a Quality Engineer for my profession, I deal with data, facts and not “marketing” type comments (just a general statement, not implying anything).

So, based solely on what I have seen from Josh’s 50 yard testing, it seems to eat various ammo, but for competitive use, various distance is also a data point that I find useful to evaluate performance (or at least comparative performance).

I recently saw a review on Ballistic Advantage barrel (for 10/22) and it shot horribly. That was supposed to be lapped as well, and it may have missed that step, I don’t know, the reviewer will likely follow up. Josh did a review on Pete’s Pillar barrel, and has not a great showing. 2nd time around, barrel showed a bit better performance.

Bottom line, L3i is a small shop that outsources (if I read the other comments correctly) the machining (am I my be wrong on that statement) and their hours are PM, so this is not their primary business.

Pricing usually reflects the labor and cost of material, with a factor of company reputation and warranty behind the product. The better, or higher quality material and machining will cost more and drive cost of barrel higher. The extra work to ensure performance (aka lapping, test firing, to ensure a performance goal is met will be additional cost, but will also stave off customer complaints and warranty replacements while you introduce new products to market. I comment this to respond to your comment, not trying to lecture you.

L3i 13-round mags and Stinger mags that I have received are top notch in fit and finish, I have been happy. The CZ billet magwell, not so much so, machining was very choppy and looked horrible. Seems functional though and I have yet to test it. A great departure from the quality seen on the magazines. Seem some postings where the Stinger mag is being put up for sale, wasn’t working in their action.

I am asking questions to gauge what L3i’s willingness to back the barrels they will send out and see what performance they are willing stake against or it is “sold-as-is” and you get what you get. Again, not trying to be mean, and for the most part, I like the products I have purchased, but I should be able to ask questions (reasonable ones) and not feel like I am being attacked (we are close, but not there yet).

 

[J_Reacher]

that dude doesn't understand that last little bit of price premium is usually related to coatings or R&D lol

Hey Cody,

Is this comment referring to me? Just asking for clarification.

 

[Mechdesigner]

J-Reacher, you have some very valid points and observations. We will stand behind our barrels for quality and workmanship 100%. Accuracy guarantees are not something we are offering as it is dependent on so many factors beyond just the barrel. We are offering a premium high volume produced barrel in the contour and length that many competitors are wanting at a price point that brings them in reach for more people. With that cost reduction comes several compromises. Those are no customizations available such as chamber type, twist rate, length, contour, rifling type, barrel coatings, threading etc… with the slimmer margins we cant afford to offer barrel replacements without an actual quality or workmanship issue, otherwise we will have people lot testing our barrels rather than ammo and we would be out of business in 6 weeks… It is not our intention for anyone to feel attacked for asking honest questions. honesty this is not a public conservation beyond this response and if you would like to resume it privately we would be happy to do so.

Best Regards,
Leon

 

[J_Reacher]

J-Reacher, you have some very valid points and observations. We will stand behind our barrels for quality and workmanship 100%. Accuracy guarantees are not something we are offering as it is dependent on so many factors beyond just the barrel. We are offering a premium high volume produced barrel in the contour and length that many competitors are wanting at a price point that brings them in reach for more people. With that cost reduction comes several compromises. Those are no customizations available such as chamber type, twist rate, length, contour, rifling type, barrel coatings, threading etc… with the slimmer margins we cant afford to offer barrel replacements without an actual quality or workmanship issue, otherwise we will have people lot testing our barrels rather than ammo and we would be out of business in 6 weeks… It is not our intention for anyone to feel attacked for asking honest questions. honesty this is not a public conservation beyond this response and if you would like to resume it privately we would be happy to do so.

Best Regards,
Leon

Again, I greatly appreciate your response.

I agree with all your points above. No further comments are needed, you were well stated.

Regards,
Steven