Threading / cutting Steyr USR barrels?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Threading / cutting Steyr USR barrels?

Posted: 6/16/2022 10:53:10 PM EDT

I was surprised to see some of the discussion in another thread recently about not cutting 20” AUG barrels because they were desirable or something and to just buy a 16”. So now I’m curious because I picked up a few USR barrels over the years when I ran across them for cheap. Been thinking about having them threaded and/or cut down just because I kinda would like them to be more useful to me. Was thinking about doing them in 1/2x28 just to make things easier.

Now before I go doing that is there some good reason I don’t know about to leave USR barrels unmolested? Yeah, it’s a nice heavy chrome lined Austrian made barrel, which is why I want to get them cut/threaded and use them rather than one of the lesser new US made barrels.

Posted: 6/17/2022 1:00:38 AM EDT

[#1]

Honestly, I think the demand for 20s is high because you can’t find 16s (either) and people want to cut them down.

I am looking for a 20…so I can cut it down.

Posted: 6/17/2022 10:27:12 AM EDT

[#2]

I also think it was desirable. I'm happy to help on it when you are ready.

Posted: 6/17/2022 10:54:28 AM EDT

[#3]

For good or bad, the USR "bull" unthreaded barrels never seemed to get a lot of love, so threading one probably wouldn't be considered that bad. You'd need someone with more experience than me, but I know cutting barrels has caused gas port size problems. I know that 16"->14" is known to NOT work, but I don't recall whether that's true for 20"->16".

ETA: From personal experience the lack of flash hider on the USR barrel is VERY noticeable, but I found them to be quite accurate.

Posted: 6/17/2022 2:21:37 PM EDT

[#4]

I would go for the threading but leave it 20"

That's what I am doing with my usr

Posted: 6/17/2022 2:47:53 PM EDT

[#5]

If you have multiple, why not cut down/thread one to 16" and thread a 20"?
CHF, chrome lined, made in Austria barrels are as good as AUG barrels get

Posted: 6/17/2022 5:43:40 PM EDT

[#6]

I had my 20" threaded 1/2x28.

Posted: 6/17/2022 11:00:44 PM EDT

[#7]

PLEASE sell me one of your USR 20-in unmodified barrels!! Seriously! Contact me at the email below.

[email protected]

From a collector's point of view...

USR barrels are rare and desirable. Please don't butcher them.

From a Target shooter's or hunters point of view...

USR barrels are known for being more accurate than other AUG barrels and they have a Target crown and they have a bit thicker heavier profile. Please don't butcher them.

From a ban State point of view...

They might need a USR barrel to meet over all length requirements or the no threads or flash hider requirements. Please don't butcher them.

From a functional practical view...

Go ahead and thread but be very careful about cutting down AUG barrels as they tend to stop working when you do that. I'm pretty confident that from 20 to 18 would be fine but 20 to 16 is likely to cause problems and or ammo sensitivity. I forget where but somewhere on the internet there is info about what the gas Port size for the different barrel lengths are and they are different so if you cut one down that could definitely be an issue.

Please do sell or trade me one of your USR barrels.

[email protected]

Posted: 6/18/2022 12:09:02 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you have multiple, why not cut down/thread one to 16" and thread a 20"?
CHF, chrome lined, made in Austria barrels are as good as AUG barrels get

View Quote

That’s more or less the plan… I’m also not going to be heartbroken if it’s slightly undergassed at 16” as I’m assuming it will then work perfectly with a suppressor which is the real point of this so I don’t have to mess around with original AUG barrels and hunting for a correctly threaded QD mount.

Posted: 6/18/2022 12:16:05 AM EDT

[#9]

I think the USR barrels might actually have been made in Australia not Austria.

If I'm right they were made by ADI Australian defense industries.

Posted: 6/18/2022 1:12:25 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think the USR barrels might actually have been made in Australia not Austria.

If I'm right they were made by ADI Australian defense industries.

View Quote

That’s correct.

Posted: 6/18/2022 2:06:23 AM EDT

[#11]

@maleante

Do you know what the twist rate for the USR barrels is? I've heard one and nine and I've heard one and seven. I believe one and nine is correct.

Posted: 6/18/2022 2:24:27 AM EDT

[#12]

Yeah1/9 sounds right

Posted: 6/18/2022 4:47:44 AM EDT

[#13]

I'm one of those yobbos from the other thread.

With a USR, I'm not opposed getting it threaded, or cut down to 18". But if all you want is a 16", there are tons out there to trade for your 20".

Posted: 6/18/2022 10:05:44 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
@maleante

Do you know what the twist rate for the USR barrels is? I've heard one and nine and I've heard one and seven. I believe one and nine is correct.

View Quote

Yup, 1:9.

Attached File

Posted: 6/18/2022 11:56:44 AM EDT

[#15]

IIRC, the USR barrel is an 18” Heavy Barrel

Posted: 6/18/2022 3:04:26 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
IIRC, the USR barrel is an 18” Heavy Barrel

View Quote

I have a few and I can confirm they are 20” from factory. GSI used to sell the 18” spare barrels for $750 according to the paperwork that was in the box of my USR.

Posted: 6/22/2022 12:58:51 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
IIRC, the USR barrel is an 18” Heavy Barrel

View Quote

Length is actually 20".

Posted: 6/22/2022 1:55:39 PM EDT

[#18]

Definitely 20”

Posted: 6/22/2022 6:38:18 PM EDT

[#19]

I'm looking for a factory 16" barrel...If anyone has a line on one, please message me!

Posted: 6/22/2022 6:49:26 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Definitely 20”

https://i.postimg.cc/3ND29VK7/4059500-E-FC9-E-4-DFD-96-B1-5-FC8-A91-C5-A96.jpg

View Quote

AUG z with A1 furniture?

Posted: 6/25/2022 1:27:29 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
For good or bad, the USR "bull" unthreaded barrels never seemed to get a lot of love, so threading one probably wouldn't be considered that bad. You'd need someone with more experience than me, but I know cutting barrels has caused gas port size problems. I know that 16"->14" is known to NOT work, but I don't recall whether that's true for 20"->16".

ETA: From personal experience the lack of flash hider on the USR barrel is VERY noticeable, but I found them to be quite accurate.

View Quote

The gas port is the SAME for a 20” and a 16”. If you cut shorter than 16” you ARE going to have a problem, I tried.

Posted: 6/25/2022 2:38:04 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
The gas port is the SAME for a 20" and a 16". If you cut shorter than 16" you ARE going to have a problem, I tried.

View Quote

So ream the gas port. Did you try that?

Posted: 6/25/2022 3:57:21 PM EDT

[#23]

Sold it with the caveat it didn’t run

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Threading / cutting Steyr USR barrels?

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