Has anyone installed one of the current production Garand barrels from Citadel

[purple]

I got one of these in .30-06 with the idea of comparing it to both a NOS USGI barrel and a Criterion made Garand barrel.

I tried fitting it on 17 different Beretta/Breda receivers and found that it would time up hand tight in the range of 32 to 45 degrees off vertical index on the 17 receivers which will require some metal removal from the barrel shoulder prior to installation. In doing so I noticed some metal displacement on the threads from hand tightening it in the receiver and needed to clean up and polish the threads in some areas so that the barrel shoulder would come up against the receiver face. I have never seen this on either a US GI or Criterion barrel.

On a more positive note the gas cylinder splines gave a good fit for the gas cylinder. I won't install this barrel w/o having some metal removed from the shoulder on a lathe first. Any other feedback on the current production Citadel barrels in terms of installation and accuracy?

BTW, the current issue of the Garand Collectors Journal has an article on the Criterion barrel company. What's interesting is that they are actually using reconditioned barrel boring machinery which was once used at both Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal.

 

[Dyspnea]

I bought two barrels from tradex, tried hand tightening them to three different receivers. Quite difficult to hand tighten, wasn't able to get them to bottom out (by hand), two receivers are used and one looks NOS. But beggars can't be chosers for garand barrels in canada.

 

[pierre427]

Out of curiousity, why not order a NOS barrel from the Konstantin?

 

[purple]

Out of curiousity, why not order a NOS barrel from the Konstantin?

I have several NOS US GI barrels on hand as well as a new Criterion barrel. I was interested in how the Citadel barrel would compare to them, both in terms of fit/installation and accuracy. Now I know about fit, but will need to wait on installation to check on accuracy.

From what I've seen the Criterion barrels are pretty much a match for a NOS GI barrel. Not surprising I suppose given that Criterion is using surplus US arsenal barrel making machinery.

 

[45ACPKING]

I know it's not the same rifle but most krieger M14 barrels give the same results as your citadel garand barrel. Typical move is to set the shoulder back with a 1degree undercut.
Also have not had to perform that step fitting GI , norinco and criterion barrels.