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Posted: 2/18/2009 3:25:52 PM EDT

I remember seeing at the last gun show I was at a bunch of barrels that had spiral fluting on them. I was thinking of building a .204 and liked the looks of the spiral flutes.

I did a search online and all I come up with is "no longer available". Does anyone have a clue as to what's going on and why they are not available at this time.

Thanks

Posted: 2/18/2009 4:14:29 PM EDT

[#1]

As far as I know E.R. Shaw is the only barrel manucacturer offering spiral or helical fluted barrels.

E.R Shaw

But there is no reason that any competent CNC machine shop with a 4 axis vertical machining center couldn't do it. I imagine the price would be pretty steep for a one off job.

Posted: 2/18/2009 10:03:47 PM EDT

[#2]

I remember seeing 10/22 barrels with 'snake-fluting' it was very eye catching as well. Supposedly they dissipate heat better because the fluting has more surface area on the barrel...but im no metallurgist I'm just echoing their claims.

Posted: 2/19/2009 6:02:56 PM EDT

[#3]

chech anvil arms. I don't know who makes the barrels for anvil but they have them on their website.

Posted: 2/19/2009 7:14:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I remember seeing 10/22 barrels with 'snake-fluting' it was very eye catching as well. Supposedly they dissipate heat better because the fluting has more surface area on the barrel...but im no metallurgist I'm just echoing their claims.

I think Volquartsen does the snake fluted barrels. I can see the increased surface area allowing for more cooling. And they look neat. Other wise I'd stick with straight flutes and save the money for more guns.

Posted: 2/22/2009 6:55:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Just get it double reverse spiralled and it will be "gnarly".

Posted: 2/23/2009 4:23:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

But there is no reason that any competent CNC machine shop with a 4 axis vertical machining center couldn't do it.

Other than patent infringement.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=0LEHAAAAEBAJ&dq=barrel+fluting

Posted: 2/23/2009 5:49:43 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:

But there is no reason that any competent CNC machine shop with a 4 axis vertical machining center couldn't do it.

Other than patent infringement.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=0LEHAAAAEBAJ&dq=barrel+fluting

Link doesn't work for me. Can you give some specifics?

Posted: 2/23/2009 6:04:31 AM EDT

[#8]

Thinking Tonys uppers does some fluted Hbars...... Not sure bout that caliber though

Posted: 2/23/2009 3:24:35 PM EDT

[#9]

Lets try that again:

http://www.google.com/patents?id=0LEHAAAAEBAJ&dq=spiral+fluted+barrel

Posted: 2/23/2009 5:26:36 PM EDT

[#10]

dtech used to do it and had it as an option for uppers purchased through him, may try contacting him to see if you can persuade him to do it. I always thought it looked tits.

I also remember seeing a superior barrel upper that they had for sale that was used in one of the tests, i think it was done as well.

Posted: 2/23/2009 6:14:18 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Just get it double reverse spiralled and it will be "gnarly".

Well that would negate E.R. Shaws patent. Call it Diamond Fluting. Of course I wonder if the patent covers "helical fluting" or "Full Length Slow Twist Threading"
I wonder how defensible his patent is, it claims that "wherein the number of said internal spiral grooves equal the number of said external spiral grooves." so if you used a different number you are free and clear in my non-lawyer mind.

Don't really have much use for people who take out useless patents, like Harley Davidson trying to patent the sound of a V twin.

Posted: 2/23/2009 6:30:30 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Just get it double reverse spiralled and it will be "gnarly".

Well that would negate E.R. Shaws patent. Call it Diamond Fluting. Of course I wonder if the patent covers "helical fluting" or "Full Length Slow Twist Threading"
I wonder how defensible his patent is, it claims that "wherein the number of said internal spiral grooves equal the number of said external spiral grooves." so if you used a different number you are free and clear in my non-lawyer mind.

Don't really have much use for people who take out useless patents, like Harley Davidson trying to patent the sound of a V twin.

I doubt it would be very defensible since helical splines have been around for a long time.

As for Harley, I thought they were trying to trademark or copyright their sound. Any way it probably didn't work since their product had been in the public domain for soo many years.

Posted: 2/24/2009 11:54:42 AM EDT

[#13]

Simple answer as I saw & talked to this guy at SHOT Show this year & I'm gonna send him some work:

http://www.twistedbarrel.com/designs.html

Prices seem reasonable or at least in line with what other barrel folks charge for flutes. HTH