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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What is Hand Lapping? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/22/2017 5:02:04 PM EDT
| Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about hand lapping a barrel. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? |
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Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about hand lapping a barrel. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? Something that most really don't need to do. That said, it is a method of squaring the face of the upper to the barrel mount, helps with truing the barrel to the receiver so it is pointing the exact point of aim. Some uppers the area around the barrel receiver is not square. |
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Something that most really don't need to do. That said, it is a method of squaring the face of the upper to the barrel mount, helps with truing the barrel to the receiver so it is pointing the exact point of aim. Some uppers the area around the barrel receiver is not square. I think the OP is referring to when people hand lap the bore. That is a process using an abrasive paste to polish the bore of the firearm with the goal to remove any burrs and rough spots left from manufacturing. |
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I think the OP is referring to when people hand lap the bore. That is a process using an abrasive paste to polish the bore of the firearm with the goal to remove any burrs and rough spots left from manufacturing. Quoted:
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Something that most really don't need to do. That said, it is a method of squaring the face of the upper to the barrel mount, helps with truing the barrel to the receiver so it is pointing the exact point of aim. Some uppers the area around the barrel receiver is not square. I think the OP is referring to when people hand lap the bore. That is a process using an abrasive paste to polish the bore of the firearm with the goal to remove any burrs and rough spots left from manufacturing. lapping compound is a lubricant available with different grits in it. It is often used on slides bolt carriers any surfaces that are fitted too tightly to wear them to fit together very precisely. The manual action of wearing the two items together is usually done by hand hints hand lapping. |
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Something that most really don't need to do. That said, it is a method of squaring the face of the upper to the barrel mount, helps with truing the barrel to the receiver so it is pointing the exact point of aim. Some uppers the area around the barrel receiver is not square. What you are describing is "truing the action" sometimes referred to as "blueprinting" especially in re bolt actions. Hand lapping refers to the practice of pushing a lead slug covered in very mild abrasive back and forth through a barrel in an effort to remove tool marks and high or rough spots in the barrel. This is done in an effort to get an overall smoother barrel, which it is hoped will yield better accuracy. Was a lot more prevalent in the past when some internal barrel surfaces were not as smooth (well made) as they generally are today. This is how it was explained to me by the gunsmith I trained under many years ago. |
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What you are describing is "truing the action" sometimes referred to as "blueprinting" especially in re bolt actions. Hand lapping refers to the practice of pushing a lead slug covered in very mild abrasive back and forth through a barrel in an effort to remove tool marks and high or rough spots in the barrel. This is done in an effort to get an overall smoother barrel, which it is hoped will yield better accuracy. Was a lot more prevalent in the past when some internal barrel surfaces were not as smooth (well made) as they generally are today. This is how it was explained to me by the gunsmith I trained under many years ago. I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver. |
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I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver. In an AR, what you're talking about is lapping the receiver, not the barrel. Why would it be called lapping a barrel when nothing is done to the barrel or the barrel extension? |
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In an AR, what you're talking about is lapping the receiver, not the barrel. Why would it be called lapping a barrel when nothing is done to the barrel or the barrel extension? Quoted:
In an AR, what you're talking about is lapping the receiver, not the barrel. Why would it be called lapping a barrel when nothing is done to the barrel or the barrel extension? Being he said he didn't know what it is or what they are talking about, I figured he was talking about lapping to line the barrel up correctly, after all, often times that is what people on the AR forums are talking about. You did read this post by him, right? Well I had no idea what hand lapping even was so how could I clarify? I didn't know there were different kinds of lapping. Don't bust my chops over it, hopefully he has better understand now. |
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Being he said he didn't know what it is or what they are talking about, I figured he was talking about lapping to line the barrel up correctly, after all, often times that is what people on the AR forums are talking about. You did read this post by him, right? Don't bust my chops over it, hopefully he has better understand now. He very clearly said "hand lapping the barrel". NOBODY calls trueing the reciever to barrel barrel lapping. You misunderstood, no biggie, no need to get defensive. |
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He very clearly said "hand lapping the barrel". NOBODY calls trueing the reciever to barrel barrel lapping. You misunderstood, no biggie, no need to get defensive. In match grade bolt guns, I know a lot of guys that call it barrel lapping, which is the process of matching the mating surface at the rear of the barrel with the front of the action. As far as being defensive, I have nothing to be defensive about. As I said, hopefully he knows more now than when he asked the question. |
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In match grade bolt guns, I know a lot of guys that call it barrel lapping, which is the process of matching the mating surface at the rear of the barrel with the front of the action. As far as being defensive, I have nothing to be defensive about. As I said, hopefully he knows more now than when he asked the question. I've been around bolt gun for quote a few years. Never taken one apart but I didn't know there was a mating surface at the rear of the barrel and the front of the action. Barrels are essentially screwed into the action so where would the mating surface that needs lapping be? |
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I've been around bolt gun for quote a few years. Never taken one apart but I didn't know there was a mating surface at the rear of the barrel and the front of the action. Barrels are essentially screwed into the action so where would the mating surface that needs lapping be? A lot of custom action match guns have a flat surface at the front of the action where the heavy barrels mate to when screwed in, some match gun guys are obsessive when putting parts together. I had two .338 match guns with very heavy barrels on them and the shoulder of the barrel mates flat to the front surface of the receiver/action, we made the receivers, than matched a barrels to them. They were lapped. The actions are basically a rectangular block of metal. Unfortunately, they were not accurate as we were trying to get, I ended up selling them to another match shooter and he had them re-machined into something he liked better. Ended up loosing my rear end on those guns! 
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Not to fuel the fire, but a serious AR builder may also match his bolt to his barrel by lapping it to ensure that each lug on the bolt mates equally with the corresponding lug on the barrel extension.Â
Bottom line is "lapping" is simply a way of doing final fitting that assures a smooth, consistent clearance between two parts. (In bore lapping, the clearance is between the rifling lands and the bullet.) |
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I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver. I doubt you have ever hand lapped a barrel considering you didn't know what OP was talking about and he stated his question in plain English. |
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I doubt you have ever hand lapped a barrel considering you didn't know what OP was talking about and he stated his question in plain English. He didn't know what he was talking about. As far as what you think about me or what I say, it is so low on the scale of importance, it does not even register. Some of you guys just like to argue. He got his question answered, that is what is important. |
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And just to throw some more fuel on the fire, you can also hand lapp the scope mounts prior to mounting your tubed optic.  you were late by 5 posts: 
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/708585_What-is-Hand-Lapping-.html#i7370315 incidentally, when Larue first introduced their SPR mount, "everyone" swore that it didn't need to be lapped. well i lapped one of the earliest shipped models and it was very evident that when the retaining nuts were pressed into the mounting rings, each retaining nut slightly deformed the ring. it was quite a bit of lapping to get the "bumps" created by the press-fit fasteners completely flush. ar-jedi 
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I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver. I'm not sure if this is proper etiquette, but I see you make a decent amount if questionable comments for someone who does the stuff you supposedly do and have done. |
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I'm not sure if this is proper etiquette, but I see you make a decent amount if questionable comments for someone who does the stuff you supposedly do and have done. Okay, that is fine, why harass me with private messages? You asked your question and made your statement in public, that is all the farther it needs to go, you may want to read the rules about harassment in private messages. Fortunately, we have a tool on this system we can use, it is called the ignore button, and if you don't like what I have to say, then I would suggest you use it, I know I will. Don't contact me again. |
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Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about hand lapping a barrel. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? Well, regardless of what the two in a snit are talking about, hand lapping is when you your hand is being vigorously licked. My doggie does it all the time, and when I am pouring myself a frothy mug a beer from a barrel at the same time, well there ya go. |
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What is important is the OP received the information that he was looking for.
As has been shown in this thread there is a lot of different types of lapping and many types have different terms used for it. What has been called barrel lapping in this thread, the groups I shoot with have always called it chamber and barrel polishing, if you do a google search for receiver lapping, you will see many references to AR 15 upper receiver lapping along with videos, Brownell's and Midway as well as many other companies offer receiver lapping tools or kits. Again, what is important, is the OP got the information he was looking for. I like the dog vigorously lapping your hand description, that is the best one posted in this thread. |
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Being he said he didn't know what it is or what they are talking about, I figured he was talking about lapping to line the barrel up correctly, after all, often times that is what people on the AR forums are talking about. You did read this post by him, right? Don't bust my chops over it, hopefully he has better understand now. Quoted:
Quoted:
In an AR, what you're talking about is lapping the receiver, not the barrel. Why would it be called lapping a barrel when nothing is done to the barrel or the barrel extension? Being he said he didn't know what it is or what they are talking about, I figured he was talking about lapping to line the barrel up correctly, after all, often times that is what people on the AR forums are talking about. You did read this post by him, right? Well I had no idea what hand lapping even was so how could I clarify? I didn't know there were different kinds of lapping. Don't bust my chops over it, hopefully he has better understand now. When I read his post I knew he meant the bore since he didn't reference trueing the receiver of the upper. Easy right? |
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When I read his post I knew he meant the bore since he didn't reference trueing the receiver of the upper. Easy right? It is over with, unless the OP comes back and asks more questions about this. If I was confused about exactly what he was talking about, I apologize to those others that jumped on the band wagon, as I said, the people I shoot with, call it Chamber and Barrel polishing. |
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I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver. Quoted:
Quoted:
What you are describing is "truing the action" sometimes referred to as "blueprinting" especially in re bolt actions. Hand lapping refers to the practice of pushing a lead slug covered in very mild abrasive back and forth through a barrel in an effort to remove tool marks and high or rough spots in the barrel. This is done in an effort to get an overall smoother barrel, which it is hoped will yield better accuracy. Was a lot more prevalent in the past when some internal barrel surfaces were not as smooth (well made) as they generally are today. This is how it was explained to me by the gunsmith I trained under many years ago. I know exactly what it is, as I have did barrel lapping on all of my bench rest bolt action match rifles, but it is also a term used for talking about the front face of the AR 15 upper receiver.  no.
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Okay, what ever, when talking about lapping on the AR series rifles, we have always been referring to the receiver to barrel mount area. But I guess the OP will have to clarify a bit more on which area he was talking about. Damn! Blaming the OP when your the one that misunderstood |
The purpose of lapping is to produce a smooth surface. The bores of firearms need to be very smooth for several reasons, and so they are lapped. There are several methods. I always find seeing it done more helpful than reading about it. I write far better than I read.
 Lapping part 1 And part II:  Lapping part 2 Lapping is a very simple process, but it takes skill and patience to do it correctly. |
                LAPPING A BARREL |
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Okay, that is fine, why harass me with private messages? You asked your question and made your statement in public, that is all the farther it needs to go, you may want to read the rules about harassment in private messages. Fortunately, we have a tool on this system we can use, it is called the ignore button, and if you don't like what I have to say, then I would suggest you use it, I know I will. Don't contact me again. Pointing out facts isn't harassing. If you don't like it maybe you shouldn't post incorrect info on a technical forum. If you're not sure don't answer. You didn't misunderstand you gave an answer and when someone else pointed out you were wrong you got an attitude. |
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Hand lapping of the barrel bore is best left to professional barrel makers. Unless you have a very rough bore that fouls easily, you are likely to do more harm than good.
Lilja Barrels - Hand Lapping Lapping the upper receiver face of an AR is something you can do, yourself, with an upper receiver vice block and lapping kit with mandrel and lapping compound. It trues and squares the face of the upper to seat the barrel extension.. I did mine: 
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Hand-lapping a barrel means to polish the bore by hand using a cleaning rod with a fixture on it that holds an abrasive gel that is similar to auto 'valve lapping compound'. You just go back and forth.
There is another way which is why the term 'hand lapping' exists, and that is 'fire lapping', where a different abrasive compound is applied to a bullet and fired through the barrel, repeated as needed. This can be dangerous if you use too much compound or too coarse a grade which could cause high pressure. Anyway, I don't do either. I'd rather just shoot, clean, shoot, clean until the barrel naturally smooths out. |
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You all are coming across on Davep1 pretty hard. I don't lap any of my ar15 barrels I do true the faces on my upper receivers though which he has referenced multiple times. The OP had no clue what he was asking and gave no suggestive evidence for us to follow. To jump on davep1 for following the most common denominator is damn near retarded.
To the OP. To lap the face of your upper receiver to the receiver extension is a common paranoia. It may very well improve your accuracy I don't know. If you don't know or understand what goes into barrel lapping it will have absolutely no effect on your accuracy. |
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What is important is the OP received the information that he was looking for. As has been shown in this thread there is a lot of different types of lapping and many types have different terms used for it. What has been called barrel lapping in this thread, the groups I shoot with have always called it chamber and barrel polishing, if you do a google search for receiver lapping, you will see many references to AR 15 upper receiver lapping along with videos, Brownell's and Midway as well as many other companies offer receiver lapping tools or kits. Again, what is important, is the OP got the information he was looking for. I like the dog vigorously lapping your hand description, that is the best one posted in this thread. alternative Facts |
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You all are coming across on Davep1 pretty hard. I don't lap any of my ar15 barrels I do true the faces on my upper receivers though which he has referenced multiple times. The OP had no clue what he was asking and gave no suggestive evidence for us to follow. To jump on davep1 for following the most common denominator is damn near retarded. To the OP. To lap the face of your upper receiver to the receiver extension is a common paranoia. It may very well improve your accuracy I don't know. If you don't know or understand what goes into barrel lapping it will have absolutely no effect on your accuracy. Quoted:
You all are coming across on Davep1 pretty hard. I don't lap any of my ar15 barrels I do true the faces on my upper receivers though which he has referenced multiple times. The OP had no clue what he was asking and gave no suggestive evidence for us to follow. To jump on davep1 for following the most common denominator is damn near retarded. To the OP. To lap the face of your upper receiver to the receiver extension is a common paranoia. It may very well improve your accuracy I don't know. If you don't know or understand what goes into barrel lapping it will have absolutely no effect on your accuracy. Quoted:
Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about hand lapping a barrel. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? The OP VERY SPECIFICALLY asked about lapping as it pertained to barrels. |
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The OP VERY SPECIFICALLY asked about lapping as it pertained to barrels. Quoted:
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You all are coming across on Davep1 pretty hard. I don't lap any of my ar15 barrels I do true the faces on my upper receivers though which he has referenced multiple times. The OP had no clue what he was asking and gave no suggestive evidence for us to follow. To jump on davep1 for following the most common denominator is damn near retarded. To the OP. To lap the face of your upper receiver to the receiver extension is a common paranoia. It may very well improve your accuracy I don't know. If you don't know or understand what goes into barrel lapping it will have absolutely no effect on your accuracy. Quoted:
Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about [color=#ff0000][size=6]hand lapping a barrel[/color]</font>. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? The OP VERY SPECIFICALLY asked about lapping as it pertained to barrels. It was pretty clear to me as well. When he said he didn't know there was different kinds of lapping it seemed like it was because the responses had confused him. |
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The OP VERY SPECIFICALLY asked about lapping as it pertained to barrels. Quoted:
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You all are coming across on Davep1 pretty hard. I don't lap any of my ar15 barrels I do true the faces on my upper receivers though which he has referenced multiple times. The OP had no clue what he was asking and gave no suggestive evidence for us to follow. To jump on davep1 for following the most common denominator is damn near retarded. To the OP. To lap the face of your upper receiver to the receiver extension is a common paranoia. It may very well improve your accuracy I don't know. If you don't know or understand what goes into barrel lapping it will have absolutely no effect on your accuracy. Quoted:
Alright so, I've seen some videos and forum posts of people talking about [color=#ff0000][size=6]hand lapping a barrel[/color]</font>. I am just curious as to what it actually is. What purpose does it have? What do you do? The OP VERY SPECIFICALLY asked about lapping as it pertained to barrels. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What is Hand Lapping? (Page 1 of 2)
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