Monster Hunting Guns Made in or Associated with the UK

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by ClayDowling

I had the same notion as others about just setting up a small machine shop, so I did a little research. A machine shop is fine for making the receiver. Apparently the machinery to accurately build barrels is a much larger issue, and the machinery is specialized, so importing it is going to raise serious eyebrows.

It is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that they could have gotten their hands on an old, forgotten MoD Whitney & Pratt B-series Hydraulic rifling machine. Maybe it would be in poor repair and lack vital parts, but given that some barrelmakers apparently build their own machines for cut rifling using a CNC machine, I should think making parts to repair one is fairly practical to do.

If that's too huge a task (not to mention too much machine for what will probably not exceed 20-30 rifle barrels per year at present), they could buy or build a smaller cut rifling or a newer, handier, button rifling machine. Buy if a licensed gunsmith can do so without too much attention, build it with their CNC machines if buying would mean too much potential publicity or just that his name entered the consciousness of local police as a source of weapons built from scratch.

Originally Posted by ClayDowling

My understanding is that barrels are a wear item. I know Beretta recommends replacing the barrel on the M92 after 10,000 rounds. The part is also quite easy to replace, it's literally a drop in part, no need even to thread it into place. One of the reasons I bought one, because it makes cleaning really easy.

The link you posted mentions only rifle barrels. Presumably, the machinery needed for much shorter barrels is less cumbersome.

I wonder what kind of equipment you'd need to be able to make ca 20 Browning Hi-Power barrels per year, maybe ten revolver barrels for Webleys and S&Ws and the odd barrel for another pistol model.

Then there are SMG barrels. What kind of equipment do you need for them? In the case of MP5s, I could believe it was very similar to that of rifles. A less accurate weapon like the Sterling, however, might not be quite so demanding. In any case, I imagine that they'd need some 20 SMG barrels per year.

Originally Posted by ClayDowling

I also know from friends who served in the military that with heavy use barrels degrade accuracy greatly. One never liked being issued a colt 1911 when he was on guard duty, because they were heavily worn and not accurate to any kind of distance. If he'd ever needed to use it, he'd have to wait for his opponent to be dangerously close.

That's a concern for the Browning Hi-Powers as well and probably the SLRs, frankly. They'll want to change barrels before fielding them, if possible.

And given that if the ammunition issue is solvable, the primary weapons of the Rangers will see 200-300 rounds go through per week in training, I think that they'd need a new barrel once a year. At least every other year.

Originally Posted by ClayDowling

This link was especially informative for this research: http://www.border-barrels.com/articles/bmart.htm

It was, very much so. Thank you.