Inspecting Used Barrels

[burner921]

When inspecting a used barrel for potential purchase, I know about general things such as looking at the bore and whether the bore is bright and the rifling in good shape. I see many folks check the muzzles for wear and counterbore. What other things might be important? If a barrel has been relief cut on a lathe, will it be readily apparent or should I measure the shoulder in some way? Is there a maximum amount that can be removed from the shoulder and still be serviceable? What about the firing chamber? Can tool marks from removal be cleaned up? I always worry that I will overlook something, and that if the barrel were OK it would still be on the rifle.

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[browningautorifle]

If a barrel has been altered, you may want to steer clear of it. I might buy one if I had some grand idea and that barrel was the right caliber. If you need a barrel for a rifle, it should be serviceable and in my opinion, unaltered and about perfect. Otherwise it would be like buying an old woman's underwear, you don't quite know what you're getting...

[burner921]

Thanks for your reply. I can see how that might be a good policy for shooters, but what about someone who is trying to return the rifle to original factory condition? Used barrels are the only way to go. As far as alterations, that is my question. How do I know if a shoulder had been relief cut? Especially if it has been turned down flush on a lathe and basically re-shouldered? I have heard of unscrupulous sellers who have done this to try to pass it off as original, but what does it look like? and Can plier marks be polished out or even filed, to cleans up marring from barrel removal, without making the item unserviceable? Should I automatically reject one because it appears to have been filed down?

[browningautorifle]

If a barrel has been altered, you can usually tell. Re-finishing will be apparent if you're looking for an original. Wrench marks can be erased. If it's been altered, you have to know what you're looking at or you'll buy a pig in a poke. If you don't know what you're looking for in the first place, or what it originally looks like, it would be akin to an amateur investing in diamonds. It would be a sure way to be taken to the cleaners. If you know what the original looks like, and you don't mind a used or even worn example that's dated correctly then all will work out. If you don't really know what you're looking for...you'll have trouble.

[Chuckindenver]

avoid any barrel thats had the shoulder cut for removal...they are junk.

[Salt Flat]

Burner, You can usually see the relief cut on the shoulder. A lot of 1917 Enfield barrels were removed this way. Also if you had a tape measure handy you could measure the thread length and overall barrel length and tell. Take along a sketch with the correct measurements. Salt Flat

[burner921]

Thanks, guys. Your comments have all been helpful and appreciated!