LMT barrel conversion question

[Ulfhednar15]

Hi all. I have a barrel that I would like converted to run in my MRP upper. I have seen good things said about Marvin Pitts at Nafarious Arms as well as Dave Wilson at D. Wilson Manufacturing. Anyone have first hand experience with either one of these gentlemen? Any benefits of going with one over the other?

Thanks guys!

 

[newguy2k3v2]

They both do excellent work. D Wilson would probably have a faster turn around.

 

[Dogtown]

Word of caution: don’t try to get a heavy profile barrel converted. The barrel extension has to be pressed into the barrel with some profile limitations. I tried to have a CLE Varmint profile (1” straight for the most part) and it would have had to be turned down near the chamber to fit the extension. An SPR profile worked fine though.

 

[Carnifex]

Didn't have a barrel conversion, but I had a couple barrel chops and pin and welds done by D. Wilson. Turnaround time was great and the quality of work was excellent.

 

[Dogtown]

For reference, top is SPR contour and fine for conversion. Bottom is CLE Varmint contour and no bueno for conversion.

 

[long range sponge]

Had D. Wilson convert a 450 barrel for my MRP. Ohio is a straight walled cartridge state for deer. It runs flawlessly and shoots as well as I can run a semi auto. Turnaround was super fast.

 

[Ulfhednar15]

Very nice!

 

[yej0001]

A question for you guys who had sent barrel to D Wilson- what does his conversion involved? Is it limited to the "clamped" portion of the barrel, or does it also include gas block/tube installation? How's the gas tube fixed in the rear end, similar to LMT factory barrel with a metal plate (brace?) to fixate the gas tube?

 

[Dogtown]

No brace for the gas tube, so it’s a little different than the factory setup from my experience. It still shoots great so that difference doesn’t effect accuracy or reliability. The only potential issue I could see is if you’re regularly swapping barrels - you’d just have to be a little more gentle when seating it.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

The plus with a converted barrel vs factory is that it gives you enough wiggle room to swap them in the mlok uppers without pulling all the attachments off

 

[yej0001]

I am debating between getting a factory MRP SS barrel vs getting a converted match grade barrel. Would like to get your input. My guess is that factory SS cannot be as accurate as a custom like WOA/CLE/Proof

 

[Dogtown]

Depends on what you plan to use it for. I have an OG MRP and a newer MLC and all of the barrels I've used with them have been for run-n-gun shooting for the most part, so precision wasn't much of a concern. Then with the MLC I converted into more of a "do everything rifle" with a 5-20x and offset RDS. Hoping to improve accuracy I bought a factory 16" SS barrel and really struggled to get it to shoot under 1.5MOA. Then I got a signature SPR barrel from Craddock Precision and had it converted by DWilson , and that shoots so much better. If the LMT factory barrels weren't so damned expensive, it would be a good trade off, but I'm at the point where a custom barrel is only a tad bit more expensive and you have to wait to get the work done, but the results if your focus is precision are much better.

 

[yej0001]

My thinking exactly. A factory SS barrel is close to 800 and accuracy is a hit or miss.

 

[long range sponge]

"...accuracy is hit or miss." If it's hit or miss, is it really accurate?? Sorry y'all. And now back to sincere discussion. I truly think that LMT is pricing themselves out of the barrel business for their own rifles. Hell, with the MWS 6.5 conversion @unclemoak does using Proof CF barrels running just over a grand, it's a hell of a deal. D. Wilson and crew are top notch.

 

[newmexicokid]

I had a Proof barrel converted by Jeff at River’s Bend and am impressed. Great guy to work with.

 

[yej0001]

I had a Proof barrel converted by Jeff at River’s Bend and am impressed. Great guy to work with.

Does Jeff add a metal plate ("brace") to hold the rear end of the gas tube like LMT's original barrels?

 

[Leftie]

The plus with a converted barrel vs factory is that it gives you enough wiggle room to swap them in the mlok uppers without pulling all the attachments off

Can you elaborate on this? One of my main gripes about the MLC uppers is that you cannot retain MLOK attachments when swapping barrels (outside of the Shovelnose upper). If a converted barrel somehow negates this issue, I would be very interested in learning more.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

Can you elaborate on this? One of my main gripes about the MLC uppers is that you cannot retain MLOK attachments when swapping barrels (outside of the Shovelnose upper). If a converted barrel somehow negates this issue, I would be very interested in learning more.

The gas tube support on the factory barrels limits the free play to get the barrels in and out. You do have to trim the excess length off the mlok screws though.

 

[newmexicokid]

Does Jeff add a metal plate ("brace") to hold the rear end of the gas tube like LMT's original barrels?

He did not create that support brace. Its something that needs to be custom cut. He did a large frame barrel for me as well with a pirated shot out LMT barrel extension. That large frame barrel re-used the support bracket. The small frame barrel was created fresh and did not use any pirated parts and didn't have the support.

 

[Leftie]

The gas tube support on the factory barrels limits the free play to get the barrels in and out. You do have to trim the excess length off the mlok screws though.

So, you have to trim the excess length off the MLOK screws with the converted barrels too? Just asking for clarification.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

So, you have to trim the excess length off the MLOK screws with the converted barrels too? Just asking for clarification.

Yes, the extension can not fit out if they aren’t trimmed. With the gas tube support, a factory barrel won’t fit even if trimmed.

 

[yej0001]

A different question: what’s a good/economic option for a 140 in-lb torque wrench other than LMT’s? I heard some murmuring on the awkwardness of the LMT wrench, which may or may not be true.

 

[Ulfhednar15]

Not economical, but I use a Snap On 1/4" click type unit. Figure I shouldn't be using a cheap azz torque wrench on an expensive rifle.

 

[newguy2k3v2]

I can’t remember the brand but there is a compact bicycle torque wrench that goes to 140. It was mentioned here years back

 

[Ulfhednar15]

"I can’t remember the brand but there is a compact bicycle torque wrench that goes to 140"

Probably Park Tool

 

[pmclaine]

The LMT wrench is awkward but it’s what is in my bag.

At home I use a Snap-On.

Best for bag I think would be a Seekonk T handle.

I have Seekonk 90 degree angle set at 140 inch pounds, it’s kind is a weighty beast.

Fact is I don’t really take my barrel off that often.

 

[Leftie]

"I can’t remember the brand but there is a compact bicycle torque wrench that goes to 140"

Probably Park Tool

If I recall correctly, some LMT owners have also had success with the Effetto Mariposa GIUSTAFORZA-II Torque Wrench.