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Posted: 2/5/2005 12:29:03 PM EDT
| Can anyone tell by these numbers what kind of barrel this is? "P"- SAK-7790190-9-69-8037229" is what is stamped near the chamber end. This barrel is brand new still in the wax paper wrap and if it is a good barrel I might build a new M1A. It does not appear to be a heavy NM barrel and seems to be chrome lined. Thanks for any help......Trapfan |
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John, the proof round was a cartridge loaded to create over 70,000 psi chamber pressure. The typical chamber pressure is 50,000 psi for M80 ball ammunition in the M14 rifle. If a M14 barrel has the "P" on it then it successfully passed the test of having one high pressure proof cartridge shot through it. Every USGI M14 rifle that left the factory was also tested with a high pressure proof cartridge along with other tests. AFAIK, TRW installed TRW barrels on TRW M14 and M14 NM rifles. TRW chromium plated barrels were formed by the hammer forging method. TRW installed National Match grade barrels on their M14 NM rifles. AFAIK, all USGI National Match barrels (including Saco-Lowell and TRW) were made by broaching. Saco-Lowell (SAK) made parts for the USGI Springfield Armory until it was closed down in 1968 and then continued to make barrels until at least 1983. Saco-Lowell made standard contour chromium plated and NM barrels and medium weight NM barrels for the M14. TRW only made standard contour barrels, chromium plated and National Match grade. See my free online book (and some cool M14 photos) at www.imageseek.com/m1a for further information. HTH, Different |
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Thank you, Different. I've spent a lot of time at your site and will be at the front of the line when you book comes out. I didn't know how to tell if a barrel was brand new or if it was taken off a rifle. Just yesterday, I had my first M14 built on a LRB receiver with all TRW parts [including barrel]. I have another LRB receiver and TRW parts. I have a SAK barrel, but I will look for a TRW barrel for the second rifle too. John |
My $0.02, if you're into the M14 and will buy more than one of the commerical clones it's worth buying a M14/M1A combo throat erosion and muzzle wear gauge from www.brownells.com That way you can check barrels quickly if you buy them unseen or if you're checking out rifles at a gun show. 
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