Gunsmithing Removing a stubborn barrel

[338LM]

If a person breaks a very stubborn barrel loose while it is cold do you risk the chance of galding, tearing up, or damaging the threads?
Or is it better to get the torch out and heat it up to get it to break loose and make barrel removal easier on the threads?

 

[EZaccuracy]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

I'm new here on the Hide, but not new to removing barrels. I have never seen any damage caused to the threads during the process of removing a barrel. I feel that the barrel will slip in the vice way before any damage can be done to the threads. If the barrel is that hard to remove I would be more concerned with tweaking the receiver itself than I would be the threads. Depending on what type of rifle you are working on also changes the circumstance. If its a military rifle, Ive had to make a relief cut in front of the receiver to get it to move, obviously destroying the barrel. If its a factory Remington, they use some sort of locktite and a little heat goes a long way.

 

[kingjoey]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Receivers and barrels are heat-treated for strength and hardness, be really careful applying heat to either. Some alloys can change temper as low as 300-400 degrees. Worst case, use a heat gun and warm the receiver ring up a little, you don't want the gun to be cold, but you don't want it to be hot either. Barrels are installed pretty tight, expect to have to use a little elbow grease to break it loose.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Gunsmiths are your friends - I put mine's kids through college! Have him on speed dial on my cell phone. When plan A fails, call one.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Heat can be your friend but age is the biggest factor in removing factory barrels. Are you planning to save the old barrel? A shot of PB Blaster at the action barrel joint and inside the chamber in the same location will do wonders if left over night.

 

[303_enfield]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

+1 for PB Blaster. Heat or cold can work. If the barrel is shot a relief cut saves time.

 

[338LM]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

The barrel is shot. Can someone please describe how to make a relief cut. Thanks.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

It would help if you said what type and vintage of rifle.

Current production Winchester M70s are a fine thread and epoxied to the receiver. Browning A-Bolt IIs went to the same fine thread and epoxy several years ago. Neither is designed to have the barrel removed.

The move to fine threads and epoxy was unannounced or at minimum a poorly communicated change. My smith screwed the threads right off of one pulling an A-Bolt II barrel a few years ago.

Most definitely the threads can be damaged during barrel removal.

 

[RADcustom]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Stainless is more prone to galling.

A little heat will help.

 

[hntbambi]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Impact has served me well instead of steady pressure when removing barrels. You need a super stout mounting for the barrel vise and the action wrench installed with the handle up or to the side. A solid whack or two with a old Louisville Slugger or a 4x4 has persuaded a few stubborn barrels to pop free when hanging 250# off of the action wrench did not do the trick. Just be sure you have enough clearance for the swing.

 

[Insayn]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

What about heating the barrel slightly then squirting some PB Blaster through the action base screw up front to draw the PB Blaster into the threads (my front base screw can touch the threads of the barrel if not shortened-R700).

 

[ricasso]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

I can attest to the fact that threads can be damaged removing a barrel. I completely stripped barrel/action threads on a brand new stainless A Bolt a couple of years ago. I was in a hurry and didn’t take the time to apply heat like I knew I should…and didn’t stop when I knew I should as well. The threads were fine thread and very galled and I still don't know exactly what went wrong. All I know is that when I got through replacing the rifle it was a $900 tuition payment for a hard lesson learned.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

We remove barrels that have been mated to receivers for as long as 100+ years. Most of them are 12 tpi mausers, and with threads that coarse its generally straight forward. Careful heating, proper tools, and generous amounts of Aero-Kroil/time to soak make all the difference in the world.

Depending on the type of action and the need to preserve the barrel we'll chuck it up in the lathe and cut a relief in the barrel just ahead of the receiver. This won't work on anything with a barrel torqued against an internal shoulder (L/R mausers)but has made removal of old 03 Springfield barrels a snap.

Good luck, and be patient. Throw all your pipe wrenches in the lake before you start.

 

[338LM]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Soaked her down good with Kroil and let her sit for 24 hours.
Warmed up the receiver/barrel with a heat gun for a few minutes. Popped loose without too much effort. Barrel unthreaded quite easily. No damage at all to the threads. The threads were totally soaked with Kroil on both the barrel threads and receiver threads. Gotta love Kroil. Very happy with the outcome. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[lightman]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

On a Remington,I use a large adjustable wrench on the recoil lug along with the action wrench to break them loose.A second person really helps for this.The second wrench really helps,and gets some of the strain away from the back part of the action.This should work with most any action,but all that I have done are Remingtons.I've never hurt the threads this way. Pete

 

[kingjoey]

Re: Removing a stubborn barrel

Good to hear that you used a heat gun, too many folks out there get happy with a propane torch and end up doing some damage.