Swiss Arms Barrel life

This thread makes me laugh. When people found out that the recommended service life of the Norinco Type 97 was 6000 rounds, everyone quickly commented "well that's what you get for buying cheap Chinese crap!" When it comes out that the service life of a Swiss Arms is 8000 rounds everyone wants to buy a new $800 barrel....JHC!!!

I don't understand people sometimes!
 
It depends on how you define barrel life. 8,000 rounds sounds about right for best accuracy. I suspect that the barrel can handle several times that and still remain functional, depending on your accuracy standard.
 
CarbineOne said:
It's Swiss Arms. What do you expect? Their friggin' magazines are $80+.
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I bought two brand new in the grease 20" 1:7 twist barrels before they were commonplace for $420 each....That included the gas block and front sights.

tjhaile said:
It depends on how you define barrel life. 8,000 rounds sounds about right for best accuracy. I suspect that the barrel can handle several times that and still remain functional, depending on your accuracy standard.
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Did you read RichLPS's post? It's backed up with actual experience....
 
Rich LPS said:
These barrels are hammer forged and gas treated inside for extreme hardness and corrosion resistance. The bores are also harder than the steel supplied brushes in the cleaning kit. This was a design requirement of the Swiss Army. A shooter could clean the bore in the field with only the steel brush / rod and not need anything else (cleaner or oil). I still can't bring myself to use the steel brush though (brass and some MPro 7).

The barrel life is a bit more than 8000 rounds. I've been told by Swiss Arms reps that the service life is between 20000 and 30000 rounds. The Swiss Army changes them around that count or so (with burst and full auto fire).

I have also been told that some of the Civilian Target shooters in Switzerland change them out about 8000 rounds or so because they are worried about getting the best accuracy that they can.

My current full size Classic Green was one of the original all Green ones to come into the Country. I have between 9000 and 10000 rounds through it. Mine still groups MOA or a bit under with good ammo.

Rich
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I also agree with the statements above on barrel life. In the Swiss Army, the life expectancy of the barrel is closer to 30,000 but they fold in a 50% increase in grouping ability, I think it's at 300 m but I may be wrong on this. A friend of mine in Bern is a "designated marksman" (not sniper) for his unit and he did change his barrel at approximately 12,000 rounds as a requirement of accuracy to keep his classification. He shoots for classification at 300m and 400 m semi-auto and 100 m to 200 m in short aimed bursts. Bottom line, the barrels should outlast most of us unless we burn a hell of a lot of ammo each year. By the way, I am also told that using 55 gr ammo is easier on the barrel than the 62 gr penetrator ammo due to the shorter bearing surface.
 
Sooooo ... what would a the sniper barrel cost(one with no flash hider, long heavy barrel) installed out of curiousty? What is the twist on those barrels?

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
the original sniper had a 1-10" twist, also i doubt the barrels are available (because IIRC the sniper model is NLA, i could be wrong about this though) but you couldnt you just get a match blank made into a replica?
 
CarbineOne said:
And I recall new or slightly used Colt Sporter H-BAR's for $800. Times have changed.
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Without question, but keep in mind this is less than 4 years ago...




The Sniper variant was a dud.

Certainly a nice piece for a collection, but as a shooter they are over rated.
The police didn't want them as the caliber leaves a lot to be desired in that role and the Swiss target shooters don't want them because they don't give much if any advantage over the regular profile 20" barrels with respect to accuracy.

Add to that they still aren't floated...

If I was looking for a HB with accuracy to exceed that of the factory offerings, I'd look to a Krieger and get a local Canadian smith to do the work (I think "MrSmithy"? has done this already with a 18.5" barrel on a carbine)
 
beltfed said:
The Sniper variant was a dud.

Certainly a nice piece for a collection, but as a shooter they are over rated.
The police didn't want them as the caliber leaves a lot to be desired in that role and the Swiss target shooters don't want them because they don't give much if any advantage over the regular profile 20" barrels with respect to accuracy.

Add to that they still aren't floated...
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And they are quite front heavy. The trigger on them is nice though. Similar to a Geissele.
 
I agree. The Sig550 is only interesting as a collection piece.

beltfed said:
Without question, but keep in mind this is less than 4 years ago...
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Where did you get the barrels from?

I suppose we'll have to wait for JR/Justin to confirm pricing. $800 is a HELL of a lot to pay for a barrel, but at the same time I know SAN parts have gotten significantly more expensive in the last 4-5 years.
 
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