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AR15.COM
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3/19/2005 1:47:32 PM EDT
Impulsively I purchased a Wilson 24" varmint barrel at the gun show in Birmingham, AL today.

Then I started doing research. Something wrong with the sequence of that.

Anyway, I've since read that there are two Wilsons making these barrels. One is good and another is allegedly bad.

The guy I purchased my barrel from, said that this is the same Wilson that makes barrels for the military rifles.

As usual I forgot to ask about the lining of the barrel and the twist rate.

Duh!!

Anybody able to add any information to this story?

thanks,
comacho
3/19/2005 6:34:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Wilson makes barrels for different companies......excellent quality.  I believe Rock River uses the Wilson.  I have a 22" varmit Wilson that always shoots around 1/2" and often around 3/8s.

Wilson=good stuff.  
3/19/2005 6:35:04 PM EDT
[#2]
If it is a 24" Varmit barrel then it is probably NOT chorme lined for better accuracy, I would think.

Bill
3/19/2005 8:50:02 PM EDT
[#3]
iirc there are 2 wilsons.  the .45 guy (bill?) ain't the same as the ar15 barrel guy.

haven't heard any complaints on either
3/19/2005 9:34:45 PM EDT
[#4]
Wilson Combat is the 1911/AR15 custom manufacturer.

Wilson Arms is the barrel blank manufacturer.


Like most barrel blank manufacturers, they make various grades of blanks, and besides, what really matters is how well the blank was crowned and chambered.  With a gun-show barrel, there's no way to know.

-Troy
3/20/2005 3:45:29 AM EDT
[#5]
And for what it is worth, Wilson Combat uses Wilson Arms barrels on their Super Sniper ARs. Rumor has it that they will be using Wilson Arms barrels on all of their ARs in the near future. That says something for Wilson Arms barrels.

Mike
3/20/2005 5:39:53 AM EDT
[#6]

Paraphrasing Troy, a Wilson BLANK is a round piece of steel with a rifled hole through the middle. And that's all it is. Unless Wilson did the final turning, chambering, drilling, crowning etc., a barrel can be wonderful or just so-so. That said, a Wilson blank is a good thing. It just isn't the only thing you need to know.

In my experience, most people selling "Wilson barrels" at gun shows can't tell you much beyond those two words. And since Wilson doesn't mark their barrels (I've never seen one marked at least) it's good to buy from someone who is reputable and doesn't get "confused" about whose barrels they're selling that week. I have heard some of the high volume, lower quality barreled upper vendors tell people they are selling Wilson barrels and for the el cheapo price they were charging there is no way they were... shall we say... "accurate in their statement".


4/8/2005 6:54:34 AM EDT
[#7]
hello colt guy,
i should have asked more questions when i purchased this barrel. i bought it from sherluk's at a birmingham gun show. i hear they are pretty good folks, but outside of knowing that i have a 1:8 twist barrel that is 24" long, i have no clue.

comacho (gary mcclaran)
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