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Posted: 11/12/2007 11:57:17 AM EDT
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I have a 16" DSA built stg 58 with a steyr barrel i bought a couple weeks ago and I noticed a couple of what appear to be pits near the throat of the barrel. It should be serviceable, but I don't want to send it back unless it is uncommon. What kind of bore condition should I expect out of this build? |
| I have the same gun, and just noticed last night that I had some pitting between the gas port and the muzzle. I don't know if it was like that when I bought it, but I take pretty good care of my guns. I didn't think of looking when it was new, I figured it was a new gun, so the barrel should be good. |
LOL, same here, didn't bother to check the bore at point of purchase. I called DSA and they told me to "see how it shoots". I'm taking the day off work to punch some paper, if it doesn't group, it's going back for a re-barrel and I don't think I should have to pay for it.
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| I just picked a 21" STG58 myself and noticed the same thing. Mine is actually pitted from the muzzle to about 3 inches in. Its very shallow pitting, the rifling still seems sharp and the rest of the barrel looks to be excellent. When I called DSA they told me the same thing, "I'm sure it will shoot fine, and you can't even get a Steyr barrel anymore so I wouldn't worry about it." Took it to the range and it shot fine, although it was a short indoor range. I need to take it to the 200 or 300 yard range and ring it out, she how she does. |
| That should tell you that they are getting to the bottom of the barrel on the Steyr parts that they bought so many years ago. Which means that their basic rifle costs will go up as they substitute new US made parts into the rifles. Couldn't last forever I suppose. |
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I bought a new stg58 three months ago and was surprised to see it had a Steyr barrel. After cleaning it out well I didn't see any pitting but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Can you see pitting easily with the naked eye or do you need a scope? Are they just dark spots that don't come out with swabbing? -falafull |
| Ok, I have one of the first STG-58 carbines out of DSA many years ago...5? Anyway the bbl is perfect...but even so , at the time I bought it I was warned that it was a very very good condition kit on a DSA reciever so I should not be surprised if there are dings in the stock, handguards, or a minor cosmetic imperfections in the bbl. that should not affect accuracy. I had it in writing somewhere but I can't seem to find it. My gun has shot flawlessly and accurately for all this time through a couple thousand rounds, with no trouble of any kind whatsoever. For $800 I consider it a total bargain. |
Yep. Those rifle originally started at like $725 out the door. That rifle was the best FAL deal ever. Those days are gone. I remember when you could order a mint like new entire STG58 front end from DSA for $99. A Steyr barrel is hard to wear out, pitted or not. The rifling, chamber and muzzle crown is what is important. |
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Re-crowning is the key. Go to True value and get a straight slotted head 1/4x20 brass screw or two. Get some lapping compound. Coarse is fine, medium is a bit better, but it's not that much difference. Chuck the threaded end of your screw into your favorite drill, fill the slot of the screw with medium grade or whatever lapping compound-- (best to start coarse and end up fine.) TAKE OFF your flash hider or whatever is mounted on the end of your barrel, place the end of the screw directly on to the end of your barrel, apply pressure against the barrel, and turn your drill on at a medium speed. As you do all of the above, rotate the drill in a clockwise motion, with the drill at approximately a 45 degree angle to the bore.(a big circle). Replace the compound often. When you can look at the very end of the bore (some of us need reading glasses), and see the end of the rifling clearly and even with each other all the way around, you are done. Then, clean the barrel thoroughly. This procedure does not take long, so don't over do it. On the other hand, don't be afraid to try it either. I have done this to my well shot STG58 and have had a very noticeable improvement. I have also done this with almost new 'other' rifles (AK, that shot terribly bad, with flyers)) with even more improvement. What is also good, once you learn how to do this, it works well with any rifle or pistol when the muzzle gets worn. I have also crowned barrels with my lathe, but this works well also, without having to remove the barrel in order to chuck it into the lathe. I hope this helps a bit. It isn't rocket science, and much of it depends on you. but, it works, and works well, if done carefully. Regards, Willy |
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