Non-Restricted Swiss Carbine

That's a great project that turns in a beautiful accomplishment Ben!

Total cost of the mod?
Weight?

Your original barrel was 14" right? Is there a model with an 18" barrel and a longer gas system?
 
Does not the barrel end where the rifling ends? So would not a barrel with an integrated flash hider still only be the length from the end of the chamber to the end of the rifling, where as for overall length everything is included?

I'm not sure what to think of it. It reminds me of the XCR with it's long-long bare barrel. Not pretty in my opinion, but whatever floats your boat.
 
Does not the barrel end where the rifling ends? So would not a barrel with an integrated flash hider still only be the length from the end of the chamber to the end of the rifling, where as for overall length everything is included?

it counts because the barrel is one piece. not just screwed on . if you take a barrel and drill it out from the muzzle, still counts for length. cut it off and weld a tube on it, then the barrels length is measured to the cut.
 
Does not the barrel end where the rifling ends?

In Canada the barrel length includes flash hiders as long as it is an integral part and not something added after (ie. machined as part of the barrel). The chamber, as well as the small recess of the bolt face that the base of the cartridge sits in, is also counted.

Interesting comment considering the difference in weight between a full length upper and a 14" carbine upper is around 6 ounces....

How do you figure?

The 20.79" (full size) rifle is 9lbs (144 Ounces)
The 17.9" is 7.9lbs (126.4 Ounces)
The 14.3" is 7.5lbs. (120 Ounces)

So with my math there is 24 Ounces of difference. That's 1.5lbs! Makes a difference in a black rifle. If I had to guess, my rifle is about a pound lighter.
 
That's a great project that turns in a beautiful accomplishment Ben!

Thanks Phil.

Total cost of the mod?

That is something you'd have to talk to Herron Arms about. He can make a complete barrel (for any rifle), fit it, parkerize it, install it and do the verification paperwork! Very reasonable price and great to deal with. Some "Other" gunsmiths out there that I approched with this project, simply told me to pound sand.


My scale kinda sucks, but it said 8.0lbs unloaded. It said 9.0lbs unloaded for the full size Classic Green.

Your original barrel was 14" right? Is there a model with an 18" barrel and a longer gas system?

Mine was a 17.9" barrel. The gas system is the same for both carbines.
 
I have to say, it looks alot better that I envisioned in my head when I first saw the thread title.

Nice work Ben!.

Now how about some range reports?!! :)
 
+1.

Now that it might end up non-restricted, it might actually encounter bush!

Oh it will encounter bush. I'm on Vancouver Island...units come to my backyard to do recce courses because the terrain is so harsh!

I think the new barrel's integrated flash hider will be based off of the AAC black out rather then the Vortex. Still not a closed end but three straight prongs will be easier to replicate then four twisted ones. My chief concern is flash suppression, not twigs in my muzzle.
 
Looks good! I would still rather have the threaded barrel so you could change brakes/FH if you felt like it.

How about the bump for a bayonet. Let us know how the transfer goes.
 
I like! I was toying with doing this as well. Even down to the integral flash hider. Can't wait to see pics of that one when it is done. Good job! Phil
 
Thanks for all the complements guys. If anyone is interested, in having this done (or any other barrel work done) I highly recommend you contact Ian at Herron Arms.

Here is a side by side shot with a full size Classic Green. Keep in mind the current barrel configuration with the removable muzzle device is only about about 3/4" shorter then the full size barrel but the gas system is about 3 1/2" shorter, resulting in about a pound of weight savings. With the integral flash hider, it will be about 2" shorter yet and even lighter.

PC010002.jpg
 
How do you figure?

The 20.79" (full size) rifle is 9lbs (144 Ounces)
The 17.9" is 7.9lbs (126.4 Ounces)
The 14.3" is 7.5lbs. (120 Ounces)

So with my math there is 24 Ounces of difference. That's 1.5lbs!

I weighed both my 14.3" barrelled carbine and my black special target.
Carbine = 8lbs. 4 oz.
Black Special Target = 8lbs. 7oz.

That is 3 ounces difference.
I measured them on a certified scale.

Obviously there is a bit of difference between the two (the Blk Sp. has the extra weight of an integral rail and longer flash suppressor, but no rear diopter, and no hood on the front blade sight)
The Carbine is wearing a kyle rail, but is also wearing a shorter flash suppressor.

Still, I think the differences are measured in a few ounces not pounds.
 
I weighed both my 14.3" barrelled carbine and my black special target.
Carbine = 8lbs. 4 oz.
Black Special Target = 8lbs. 7oz.

That is 3 ounces difference.
I measured them on a certified scale.

Obviously there is a bit of difference between the two (the Blk Sp. has the extra weight of an integral rail and longer flash suppressor, but no rear diopter, and no hood on the front blade sight)
The Carbine is wearing a kyle rail, but is also wearing a shorter flash suppressor.

Still, I think the differences are measured in a few ounces not pounds.

So you are telling me your 14" Carbine is 12oz or .75lbs heavier then the factory published weight?

To put that weight difference into perspective, an ACOG TA31F with a TA51 mount is about 11ozs!
 
Nice carbine. I think a good bush setup would be to start with the full size classic green and put a 18.5" Herron barrel that has an integral muzzle brake instead of an integral flash hider. Something like this brake should help keep the scope dot stable over rapid strings:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=539792
I would choose the longer handguard with bipod over the pound or so weight reduction in the Carbine. No reclassification hassles either.

What I really want is a 7.62 x 51 SIG SAPR with an 18.5" barrel. Maybe someday.
 
We haven't discussed barrel length as it affects the gas system. Have you had a chance to shoot this mod'd gun yet, angry?

In this case, putting a longer barrel on the shorter gas system wouldn't strike me as a problem, since the piston is self limiting, i.e. it blanks off the flow of gas once it moves a certain distance.

However, shortening a barrel may not deliver enough gas. Anyone have experience with barrel shortening on the full size rifle?
 
Back
Top Bottom