Best AR barrel smith?

dangertree

dangertree

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If you could pick any smith in Canada to work on your custom AR barrels (profiling/cutting/crowning/parkerizing) who would it be? I've got some ideas, but I'd love to hear your opinions.

:) Feel free to post here, or PM me.

Thanks,
Walt

PS: Please no slagging any Canadian gunsmiths, if you have nothing nice to say, please refrain from saying anything. ;)
 
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A rather timely thread...I simply cannot find a Govt. Profile 20" BBL. Are one of these fellows capable of reprofiling correctly and re-parking my heavy barrel without the usual Island chatter marks and distortion, if so my barrel is in the mail tomorrow.
 
The names that have been mentioned so far, can they turn a blank for an AR?

Or are you guys simply mentioning someone that can cut and thread a barrel?

I'm interested in a smith/barrel maker for AR barrels as well but I'm looking for someone who can build me a barrel from a blank.

The only company in Canada that I know of that can do this kind of work is Dlask, however I'm a little put off by their prices. I was quoted over $250 to turn a blank, plus the cost of the barrel extension and front sight. For that kind of dough I could have a super/ultra/match barrel made for me in the States by one of the top barrel makers.
 
Leg said:
The only company in Canada that I know of that can do this kind of work is Dlask, however I'm a little put off by their prices. I was quoted over $250 to turn a blank, plus the cost of the barrel extension and front sight. For that kind of dough I could have a super/ultra/match barrel made for me in the States by one of the top barrel makers.
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That is a good price. There is a lot of work involved in taking a barrel blank and turning it into a completed barrel; correctly chambered and threaded and the gas port drilled!
 
Bits of Pieces said:
That is a good price. There is a lot of work involved in taking a barrel blank and turning it into a completed barrel; correctly chambered and threaded and the gas port drilled!
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You are a gunsmith so you know more about it than I do, however...

cost of blank $?
+ cost of turning blank $250
+ barrel extension $30-40 (just a guess)
+ standard front sight base $70 or more
= a standard, no frills barrel that is now aproaching the $5-600 mark.

That, to me, is no bargain. I could go and buy a barrel off of Noveske for a hell of a lot less than that (although the wait would kill me).
 
We would charge about the same as Dlask - not a bargain, but a fair price.

If it's a no frills barrel you are looking for, you can buy one from Wolverine, much cheaper than importing a barrel from the U.S.
 
Leg said:
= a standard, no frills barrel that is now aproaching the $5-600 mark.

That, to me, is no bargain. I could go and buy a barrel off of Noveske for a hell of a lot less than that (although the wait would kill me).
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At $370US, a Noveske would cost ~$430CDN, if you picked it up in person at his shop in the US, no shipping. Add everything else involved with getting it here, including paying the exporter/forwarder/customs broker/local shipping, and I doubt it would be a 'hell of a lot less' than $5-600.

Just being realistic. ;)
 
Economies of scale.
If all you want is a common, standard quality part, it is always cheaper to import something that is mass produced, than to get a gunsmith to custom make it for you.

Leg said:
You are a gunsmith so you know more about it than I do, however...

cost of blank $?
+ cost of turning blank $250
+ barrel extension $30-40 (just a guess)
+ standard front sight base $70 or more
= a standard, no frills barrel that is now aproaching the $5-600 mark.

That, to me, is no bargain. I could go and buy a barrel off of Noveske for a hell of a lot less than that (although the wait would kill me).
Click to expand...
 
Quiet said:
Economies of scale.
If all you want is a common, standard quality part, it is always cheaper to import something that is mass produced, than to get a gunsmith to custom make it for you.
Click to expand...

All of the names mentioned below are custom barrel makers;

John Noveske barrels: $285-370 depending on length.
AR15barrels.com: $335-475 depending on match, stainless, super match
adco firearms : $200-255 depending on style

I'm sure that I could find other comparisons out there, but these are some of the better known names in the industry.

None of the above include front sight or barrel nut, but AR15 barrels will throw them in for $75.

Riddle me this batman; If these highly respected individuals can manufacture a barrel in the states for such a low price, then why do I automatically pay twice the amount for a made in Canada product?

I would rather buy in Canada, less headaches and hassle but the prices just seem to be a little out of whack.

And before you mention the cost of importation again, their are a few shops out there that will import items for you and not charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege. They simply keep them at their FFL in the states until they gather enough parts/guns built up to make a shipment economical. Takes a lot longer, but I'm in no rush.

I'm not trying to slam the Canadian Industry, just trying to figure out why their is such a gap in the prices.
 
Jim Dugan in S'toon turned one of Ted Gaillard's barrels and installed it on my AR.
It's an awesome shooter that does better than I can and rivals my custom bolt guns.

Good Luck
John
 
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