Criterion Barrels for No.4

[32ndgeorgia]

I spoke with them recently and they are preparing to offer .303 No.4 barrels soon. Criterion is a volume barrel maker. Their products are relatively reasonably priced. I asked them about making one for me in .308 and they said they don't do custom work just volume production.

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[browningautorifle]

Still, it would be nice to get one to replace a hammered out pipe and maybe it would have a tight chamber...

[ptf18]

I spoke to them perhaps 2 months ago and was told they were "working" on producing No4 barrels. I was put on a mailing list I think. Havent heard a word from them yet. I'll believ it when I see it.

[tiriaq]

As I understand it, Criterion was a production grade division of Kreiger, but is now independent. A while back, Kreiger (Criterion? I do not know) was approached about making No. 4 barrels. I supplied a barrel for study purposes. Apparently they were prepared to produce these, muzzle end lugs and all.

[Bear43]

I was wondering about that, tiriaq. That would be fantastic indeed if they produced barrels with the bayonet lugs on them. i pretty much just figured they would be without lugs.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Attachment 34683I have one waiting on the transplant list if the cost is not crazy high.Have gathered a few of the other bits needed to reconsitute this Savage No 4 into military configuration.

[Peter Laidler]

You know that I'm an old cynic, but knowing the complexities of machining vertical and horizontal indexing planes and then indexing a thread to boot (or vice verca....), I am prepared to bet £25 to any Forces charity that this project won't have produced a barrel to the indexed spec in the next 6 months. Just make a note in your diary for New Years eve to remind me.................

[RJW NZ]

You know that I'm an old cynic, but knowing the complexities of machining vertical and horizontal indexing planes and then indexing a thread to boot (or vice verca....), I am prepared to bet £25 to any Forces charity that this project won't have produced a barrel to the indexed spec in the next 6 months. Just make a note in your diary for New Years eve to remind me.................

I'm genuinely puzzled no one has stepped into the gap, especially with the machines we have now, not to mention the lo slave labor costs in china.

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

I spoke with them recently and they are preparing to offer .303 No.4 barrels soon. Criterion is a volume barrel maker. Their products are relatively reasonably priced. I asked them about making one for me in .308 and they said they don't do custom work just volume production.

Hi 32nd, do you know what they say would be the number of barrels required to get them making a run? I need a couple of H barrels too... Thanks, this would be good to know, rjwnz

[tiriaq]

China? Let's not go there.....
It was waaay more than six months ago that I send off the sample barrel.
Criterion makes M-1 and M-14 barrels. Those certainly require indexing with a vengence, so Criterion does know what timing is.
If I were going to make replacement barrels like these, I would leave the shank and chamber a bit short, and no Nock's form.
A 'smith would have to adjust the shoulder to bring the sight base to index, and then deepen the chamber to final headspace. No need to search for a bolthead, just use the one in the action.
Incidentally, the barrel would have a SAAMI chamber, and not the generously dimensionned service chamber.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

There has to be a market. I know we are not alone in the search for No 4 barrels.