Barrels

[Mk VII]

Are the Walther barrels hammer-forged?

Apparently they are button-rifled.

[303 Gunner]

I emailed Lothar-Walther and they said they will look into making the No1 barrels available in the US. The representative that responded said he thought there may have been import restrictions but he would find out.

Barrels are typically barred from import (at least for us peasants). It might be different though for companies.

[GeeRam]

Barrels are typically barred from import (at least for us peasants). It might be different though for companies.

Shouldn't be an issue for Lothar Walther, as they already make available in the USA, their new barrel's for the No.4, as well as the K98k and G98 Mauser's, but for some reason, they don't list their new barrel for the SMLE in the USA.

[Brian Dick]

The only barrels banned since 2005 for import to the USA are genuine military surplus barrels. Commercially made barrels with invoices are no problem to import.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Criterion?

Buy local?

[WillSarchet]

Criterion?

Buy local?

I asked them face to face at SHOT show this year, they said there are zero plans to do any No1 contours. They were looking at expanding in other directions. It's always possible to have a company duplicate a profile as a custom order but that's fairly expensive especially for a one off.

[Brian Dick]

That's interesting about CBI considering I sent them cut front half SMLE bodies with the breech rings intact from ALL the different manufacturers just after the No.4 barrel project was complete. There was a plan in place at one time to produce SMLE barrels. That being said, I emailed MGDave at Sarco yesterday, got his reply this morning and they still have plenty of nos/excellent RFI post independence SMLE barrels available. At $125 plus shipping, you simply can't go wrong. They install and shoot beautifully so if you have the need, get them while they've still got inventory. It won't last forever. Their supply of No.4 barrels is GONE!

Brian

[Surpmil]

I wonder if there are any non-RFI barrels hiding in among them?

[IanD]

Received a barrel the other day from a Canadian dealer - still caked in heavy cosmoline, it's an RFI. Glad to hear they work as good as they look (once you get the cosmo off.)

[Brian Dick]

Rob, I doubt they're mixed in with the RFI barrels but they may have some used ones. I have a Canadian made SMLE replacement barrel stashed that was in the load of parts I bought from Graham at CanAm Ent. in the late 1990's when he went out of business. I never knew they existed and haven't seen one since. Made at Long Branch and marked as such.

Yep, the RFI barrels are packed in grease which is a good thing. Nothing a cook in the sun here in South Carolina doesn't remedy pdq! It just liquifies and I wipe them off with a blue paper shop towel.