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Posted: 7/23/2007 5:38:17 AM EDT
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Hey all, maybe someone has mentioned this before but I thought I'd share just in case. I had been thinking of buying a barrel press jig but I'm just too damn cheap. Last night I finally did my first barrel install....and it was sooooo dang easy. I started off whacking the barrel with a rubber mallet, just to get it started. After that, I tossed it on the press. I ended up using a big bolt I had lying around...roughly the same diameter as the pegs that hold up the flat piece on the press (sorry don't know what that's called...but the part you can adjust up and down, and actually do your pressing on. I just stuck this through the mag hole, positioned the gun so it's side was facing me. I used the press plates to support the bolt (bolt sat on top of them) from the sides. Put a 1/4" piece of mdf scrap between the muzzle and the ram. Started pressing...wala. No damage to the crown or where the bolt went thru (it just presses against the rear of the trunnion, never touches the receiver) went in very very easy. Cost: Free, if you've already got a press, bolt, and piece of scrap wood! Hope this is of use to someone! |
That's pretty much how I do it. I also found some 6" long by 1/2" diameter aluminum rod at a marine boat shop. apparently boaters use the rod for rollers...it cost me a buck for two rods. I'd be a little leary of putting steel on steel with the bolt and trunnion meet, that's why I went with aluminum. Cheers! |
Could you post a pic? I can't get it in my head. Thanks |
had time. first pic is of all you need. I highlighted the piece of aluminum I use over the muzzle end. DONT FORGET THE LUBE  This pic shows how to start the barrel initally. duh.  I've also started it using the all thread method and then switched to the press to finish the job. I also got lucky once and did it all at once in the press.  basic setup in the press. Keep the arbor plates as close to the receiver as possible, so that the aluminum rod doesn't bend as much. Don't forget the lube on the barrel AND the barrel pin.  I highlighted the three points where I believe the rod makes contact with the front trunnion. that's why using aluminum is better: the aluminum will deform and carry the load more evenly, instead of a steel/steel contact which could mar your trunnion.  The hardest part is aligning the barrel, receiver and press so that the the force vectors all line up. If they don't your barrel will start to "buckle" and not go in straight. if this happens, just move the press plates a little to the left or right to line it up more better...hope it all makes sense 
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Thanks for the help with the pic John! Today when I was sitting in the garage I thought "duh, guess I shoulda taken a picture when I did that". I mean...that method turned out fricken sweet, unlike a lot of my ideas. I think I've hosed 4 flats so far...but now I believe I have the method down pat. READY FOR MORE! |
| I too use this method, but use some square bar stock instead of the rod. You have to flatten out one of the edges so it doesnt mar the breech. I put an AMD-65 muzzle device on the barrel, and hold it right up to the press ram. Letting it hang straight down, I then line up the press plates, and go slowly at first to make sure its all lined up and going well when starting to press. Once its all lined up and all, the barrel presses right in. |
| Yes I bought the barrel jig and did 4 barrels with the jig, then I went to a build party and they did your method. Way easier than the jig and nothing flying around the room. Also we did 3 barrels like your photo, one of them started to cant to one side, we tapped it with a rubber mallet back straight and keep going without shifting the press plates. |
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