Recommendations for a barrel chop and thread job in YYC?

Gamederek

Gamederek

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Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a gunsmith in the Calgary area that would do a good job shortening/chopping my heavy barrel .223 form 20 down to 16.5" and then threading the end to accept a muzzle brake.

Also, and maybe more important - anyone have an educated guess on what this would cost?

Any info greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
 
SERGEANT PREPPER said:
Threading a barrel is not a problem, chopping it is a no no as far as I understand.
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I have read about others doing it so I thought it would be legal as long as it meets legal requirement? Maybe someone can enlighten me? I'm pretty sure I've read about people shortening their barrels to reduce weight and having it re-crowned etc

...they sell the exact same model (as what I'm trying to accomplish with a barrel chop) of the rem 700 in a 16.5" barrel - I just couldn't/can't find one to buy - everyone is out of stock ...so I would be changing the 20" model to match the model I wanted to get but couldn't. ..or at least that was the plan.
 
Kratos said:
My understanding is a bolt action barrel chop is fine as long as the firearms OAL is still 26”, semi auto the barrel has to stay longer then 18.5” if being chopped.
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Thank you ..I think that sounds about right - unless anyone else wants to chime in?

Anyone know how much that would cost by chance? Or someone they would recommend?
 
Definition of a prohibited firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a prohibited firearm is:
a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,
is less than 660 mm in length, or
is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,
Definition of a restricted firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,
a firearm that
is not a prohibited firearm,
has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and
is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
So you cannot go less than 18.5". Cheaper to just buy the rifle when available since you can only cut an 1-1/2" off. You can have a gunsmith replace your barrel with a shorter manufactured one but will cost as much as another rifle.
 
Kratos said:
My understanding is a bolt action barrel chop is fine as long as the firearms OAL is still 26”, semi auto the barrel has to stay longer then 18.5” if being chopped.
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I believe manual action factory barrels can be cut to 18 inches and semi auto factory barrels to 18.5 inches... and usually best to leave 1/4 inch longer in both cases...
 
guntech said:
I believe manual action factory barrels can be cut to 18 inches and semi auto factory barrels to 18.5 inches... and usually best to leave 1/4 inch longer in both cases...
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Yeah I got the laws mixed up, I was thinking factory barrel replacement. It’s Saturday night, don’t drink and CGN.
 
mac100 said:
Definition of a prohibited firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a prohibited firearm is:
a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,
is less than 660 mm in length, or
is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,
Definition of a restricted firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,
a firearm that
is not a prohibited firearm,
has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and
is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
So you cannot go less than 18.5". Cheaper to just buy the rifle when available since you can only cut an 1-1/2" off. You can have a gunsmith replace your barrel with a shorter manufactured one but will cost as much as another rifle.
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Oh wow I had forgotten that - so you can buy a factory manufactured barrel (or complete rifle with 16.5" barrel) of say 16.5" for example but you cannot alter one after the fact to anything below 18.5" - correct?
 
Kratos said:
Yeah I got the laws mixed up, I was thinking factory barrel replacement. It’s Saturday night, don’t drink and CGN.
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Gotcha - thanks so much

...out of curiosity - does anyone know why you can buy factory mounted barrels less than 18" - but can't have a professional gunsmith do the same after the fact on a longer barrel rifle?
 
Gamederek said:
Gotcha - thanks so much

...out of curiosity - does anyone know why you can buy factory mounted barrels less than 18" - but can't have a professional gunsmith do the same after the fact on a longer barrel rifle?
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Canadian gun laws often don’t make sense, I’m sure you knew that. It’s just the way it was written unfortunately.
 
I do believe you can have a custom barrel made in the length you want, but maybe that is more than you want to spend.

Or post a WTB for a 16,5” factory barrel.
 
MrSharp said:
I do believe you can have a custom barrel made in the length you want, but maybe that is more than you want to spend.

Or post a WTB for a 16,5” factory barrel.
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Ah gotcha -thank you for the good suggestions - I will look into both options ..I guess I should talk to a gunsmith - still wondering if anyone has a suggestion of who to go to/talk to in Calgary? Someone who is easy to talk to is a definite bonus.
 
Gamederek said:
Ah gotcha -thank you for the good suggestions - I will look into both options ..I guess I should talk to a gunsmith - still wondering if anyone has a suggestion of who to go to/talk to in Calgary? Someone who is easy to talk to is a definite bonus.
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I don't understand why anyone would want such a short barrel in a bolt action chambered for a .223, a cartridge that obtains best velocity with longer barrels. It must be for looks.

You can have that with a custom barrel... the barrel; a contoured match grade stainless blank (about $550 and up) and the labour (thread, chamber, headspace and muzzle threaded $375) will probably run under $1000 with mailing costs...

You are only a few minutes away from many postal stations... gunsmiths all across Canada can help you.
 
Gamederek said:
Gotcha - thanks so much

...out of curiosity - does anyone know why you can buy factory mounted barrels less than 18" - but can't have a professional gunsmith do the same after the fact on a longer barrel rifle?
Click to expand...

The law does not direct the manufacturers as to barrel length in Canada. Any of the companies could produce a rifle with a 12 inch barrel if they wanted for Canada... but US laws do restrict them and that is where the market is... US law requires a minimum barrel of 16 inches... so you will often see 16.25" barrels.

But Canada restricts on how much a factory barrel can be cut... because the lawmakers are ignorant and think they are writing good laws when they actually are basically anti gun and love the restrictions.
 
guntech said:
I don't understand why anyone would want such a short barrel in a bolt action chambered for a .223, a cartridge that obtains best velocity with longer barrels. It must be for looks.

You can have that with a custom barrel... the barrel; a contoured match grade stainless blank (about $550 and up) and the labour (thread, chamber, headspace and muzzle threaded $375) will probably run under $1000 with mailing costs...

You are only a few minutes away from many postal stations... gunsmiths all across Canada can help you.
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Weight reduction is a bonus for my intended uses and the looks of a nice brake on there is also a plus yes ...I would ideally like to deal locally - I'm positive we have someone here that could help me face to face
 
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