Epoxy around the Barrel?
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Perhaps nobody knows. People could give you an opinion but you would probably prefer an answer from actual experience. I have not tried it so I will only offer my opinion. I think the idea has some chance of working. It would be something like bedding a stock. I don't know if it could stand up to the heat or solvents. Give it a try and let us know. I think If I ever bought one I would weld the barrel in as I would only want 223.
Moe
Moe
What kind of epoxy? Are you thinking the stuff drag racers use to seal up cylinder heads after extreme porting?
It will not last on a daily driver, it flakes off after a while due to the heat, gas and other chemicals inside and engine
It will not last on a daily driver, it flakes off after a while due to the heat, gas and other chemicals inside and engine
Agreed 100%, it seems horribly counter-intuitive to permanently (more or less) attach a barrel to a gun which was built to have a quick-change barrel system.
On the other hand it'd be an interesting experiment, if anything just to put to ease the question of the barrel retention system contributing to "inaccuracy" (I put quotes around that part because I don't believe the gun to be inaccurate at all for its intended purpose). I do believe I read on here that one guy (one of the vocal anti-XCR guys) supposedly tried epoxying his barrel without favourable results... maybe I misread though.
While it is true the XCR is what it is, it is capable of sub MOA groups with the right ammo. Leave your XCR alone and play with your ammo/reloads instead. Fiochi ammo has produced some incredible groupings in XCRs. Also try a harmonic balancer/tuner on the barrel, that will tighten up your groups as well.
As far as plastic steel goes don't know if it will work or not as it will have to be machined to get it true. The only product I would use would be Devcon. Good luck.
As far as plastic steel goes don't know if it will work or not as it will have to be machined to get it true. The only product I would use would be Devcon. Good luck.
Currently Epoxy and the XCR never go together. As much as it has seemed like a good idea that barrel retention system and the lack of high end barrels ensure it isn't a good idea.
If you want accuracy in a non restricted semi for 223 then I'd look at SL8, formely PE90 target model, a Ruger mini14 target, maybe a MR1 (I wouldn't), Norinco Type 88, Bushmaster m17s and ACR DMR. These were built with better than battle rifle accuracy in mind. RA has made no bones about the XCR's purpose. That being said it can be fun messing around and trying to get the most out of something not really meant for that. I seem to recall Heron arms will do an accuracy tweak to the XCR.
I've actually wanted a XCR-M for a long time. But until they change or get rid of that barrel retention system along with match style barrels being available I just can't justify it. My RFB already fits the role of battle rifle accurate 308 non restricted. The XCR for Canada really needs to be our non restricted AR but it looks like the ACR is going to start to fill that gap. I guess it's still not too late though as Bushmaster is famous for dropping the ball with the ACR.
If you want accuracy in a non restricted semi for 223 then I'd look at SL8, formely PE90 target model, a Ruger mini14 target, maybe a MR1 (I wouldn't), Norinco Type 88, Bushmaster m17s and ACR DMR. These were built with better than battle rifle accuracy in mind. RA has made no bones about the XCR's purpose. That being said it can be fun messing around and trying to get the most out of something not really meant for that. I seem to recall Heron arms will do an accuracy tweak to the XCR.
I've actually wanted a XCR-M for a long time. But until they change or get rid of that barrel retention system along with match style barrels being available I just can't justify it. My RFB already fits the role of battle rifle accurate 308 non restricted. The XCR for Canada really needs to be our non restricted AR but it looks like the ACR is going to start to fill that gap. I guess it's still not too late though as Bushmaster is famous for dropping the ball with the ACR.
He said "designed to be" not "is". Anyhow, if you are disputing the XCR's intended purpose, what is it? A long range sniper? It's a fun 7.2lb black rifle capable of 1-2MOA. If I wanted a sub MOA gun I'd tire-kick the forums for a year, beat a dead horse for a while and then buy a 9lb lunker ACR with a shiny match barrel and sit on my ass for another 4 months before I can shoot it. Actually, no I wouldn't. I'd get a bolt gun.
I also mentioned this idea a while back. Either some line of epoxy or preferably a sleeve retaing compound such as locktite 620 will do the job.
It will not neccesarilly be "permanent" as some suggest. These compounds can be broken down by heat or chemicals if disassembly is required. These particular chemicals are not going to be found in your cleaning solvents, and the heat requirements to break the bond is roughly 450 degrees f.
So basically you won't be holding it and shooting it to that point as the foreend grips will have melted off before the bond.
On the flip side the steel and aluminum upper of the rifle can be heated to this temperature to release the bond with no effect on the materials or finish, at home, in your oven if you were so inclined.
I no longer have my xcr but I intend on picking up another very soon. After years of owning one and 5k rounds, I know how important and often removing the barrel from the upper is... Enough that I may as well bond them together...
But to be honest I wouldn't bother unless I pick up some sort of a higher quality barrel, then try to wring out all the accuracy it can produce. But who knows, perhaps the factory retaining method is the biggest contributor for the apparent marginal accuracy. Perhaps the simple 5 minute job of bonding the barrel in would dramatically improve the accuracy.
One would need to do this, and do it properly. Now what I think of it if it hasnt been done by the time I get mine what the hell, I may as well, I will do some very detailed before and after evaluations.
It will not neccesarilly be "permanent" as some suggest. These compounds can be broken down by heat or chemicals if disassembly is required. These particular chemicals are not going to be found in your cleaning solvents, and the heat requirements to break the bond is roughly 450 degrees f.
So basically you won't be holding it and shooting it to that point as the foreend grips will have melted off before the bond.
On the flip side the steel and aluminum upper of the rifle can be heated to this temperature to release the bond with no effect on the materials or finish, at home, in your oven if you were so inclined.
I no longer have my xcr but I intend on picking up another very soon. After years of owning one and 5k rounds, I know how important and often removing the barrel from the upper is... Enough that I may as well bond them together...
But to be honest I wouldn't bother unless I pick up some sort of a higher quality barrel, then try to wring out all the accuracy it can produce. But who knows, perhaps the factory retaining method is the biggest contributor for the apparent marginal accuracy. Perhaps the simple 5 minute job of bonding the barrel in would dramatically improve the accuracy.
One would need to do this, and do it properly. Now what I think of it if it hasnt been done by the time I get mine what the hell, I may as well, I will do some very detailed before and after evaluations.
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M4 replacement, entered into the Individual Carbine program for competition.
In other words, a "battle rifle" and not a marksman or bench gun. Thought this was common knowledge... maybe you were being 'smart'.
They tried but something about a blank firing attachment or some silly thing kept them out of the trials.
It was built to be a battle rifle then they seemed to settle on being a civilian rifle.
4 months for what? Mine took about 3 weeks to make non restricted.
