Cutting a Deerfield 44mag barrel
- Thread starter SHOOTER
- Start date
16 feet! I'm in trouble. (should be 16")SHOOTER said:
While it is not something that I would do, lets look at the question.
I believe that SHOOTER's question is related to function.
Would the shorter barrel length effect operation of the rifle.
I do not know. I know that with gas guns like AR's, a change to the barrel length will cause issues based on the location of the gas block.
I bet there is a smart guy out in Ruger Forum land that knows the answer.
I will Google the operating system of the rifle and see what I can learn.
Bill
I believe that SHOOTER's question is related to function.
Would the shorter barrel length effect operation of the rifle.
I do not know. I know that with gas guns like AR's, a change to the barrel length will cause issues based on the location of the gas block.
I bet there is a smart guy out in Ruger Forum land that knows the answer.
I will Google the operating system of the rifle and see what I can learn.
Bill
pisgah
Buckeye
I doubt cutting the barrel would affect function, as gas is tapped off from the barrel well back from the muzzle. This is based on my shortening of several SKS rifles, which have a similarly-located gas port and functioned just fine after cutting. I wouldn't go all the way to 16", though; I'd leave at least 1/4" extra as insurance in case muzzle damage ever required a re-crowning. You don't want a situation where any needed repair would leave you with an illegal barrel length.
The thing that changes is how long the pressure is available.
Once the bullet passes the gas port, the gas pressure is there until the bullet leaves the muzzle.
With 2" less barrel the pressure will be there for a shorter length of time. Is it enough of a difference to negatively affect functioning?
Good question! :mrgreen:
Once the bullet passes the gas port, the gas pressure is there until the bullet leaves the muzzle.
With 2" less barrel the pressure will be there for a shorter length of time. Is it enough of a difference to negatively affect functioning?
Good question! :mrgreen:
DGW1949
Hawkeye
9x19 said:
That's what I was thinking too.
On the other hand, the time span of port pressure is measured in mili seconds (or is it less?), which makes me think that the answer to "will the gun still function" may be related to the burn rate of the powder being used.....or maybe it aint?....dunno, I aint an engine-ear. :lol: .
At any rate, yes...."good question" in deed.
DGW
pisgah
Buckeye
DGW1949 said:
What operates the action is the momentum imparted by that one ever-so-brief whack of peak pressure. Once that is delivered, pressure drops rapidly; in fact, if you look at the gas pipe (which is copiously vented) and the front of the action rod (which has no provision to contain the gas) you will see that the design is intended to work with that one lick, and then dissipate the pressure immediately. Cutting the barrel anywhere in front of the gas block won't affect that at all.
DGW1949
Hawkeye
pisgah said:
Question is though, where will the bullet be at the moment when "peak pressure" arrives at the gas port?.....I ask that because, if it has exited the bore, the peak port pressure would surely be less than if it hadn't.....or is that even possable?....
....I dunno.
DGW
If the pressure is effected by the 2.5" shorter barrel, wouldn't lightening the strength of recoil springs (there are 2 of them) compensate for the difference? (Find some extra springs before starting.)
pisgah
Buckeye
The peak of pressure occurs at the instant the base of the bullet completely clears the gas port. What happens as it them passes to the end of the barrel, no matter how short or long a distance, doesn't matter -- the barrel could be only half an inch longer. The only things that will affect the system are a constriction or blockage of the gas port (which is why Ruger says lead bullets are a no-no) or a low-powered load (which is why Ruger says no mid-range loads). No jacked-up loads, either, as that would mean a jacked-up peak pressure and battering of the system.
pisgah said:
And the reason for adjustable gas system, correct? Like the SR556?
pisgah
Buckeye
pyth0n said:
Correct. At least one of them.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
The Deerfield's overall length is only 37" and the barrel is only 18.5" already. (compact size) Is cutting 2" off the barrel going to make that much difference? It will surely hurt the value. :?
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
Lots of good info here but my question to shooter is why cut it back when its only an 18" barrel anyway? At least i remember them being 18". Unless the crown was messed up I don't understand why all the work. How is the front sight mounted? That would have to be moved back too...
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
They have a barrel band that is sweated on I think, and a dovetailed front sight.rugerjunkie said:
Heywatchthis
Bearcat
I performed a bris on mine soon after I got it which was when they first came out.
That little bit of barrel no longer there makes for a much handier rifle in the woods and it is a shooter not a safe queen so I'm really not worried about a possible loss in value.
i only shoot magnum loads and I don't remember that thing not functioning correctly.
The only fault of the gun is when I got caught in a bad rain one year. I beleive I could actually see the stock swell.
That little bit of barrel no longer there makes for a much handier rifle in the woods and it is a shooter not a safe queen so I'm really not worried about a possible loss in value.
i only shoot magnum loads and I don't remember that thing not functioning correctly.
The only fault of the gun is when I got caught in a bad rain one year. I beleive I could actually see the stock swell.
Heywatchthis
Bearcat
Oh, and I can't use iron sights too well so the loss of the front sight is a moot point for me.
It has a 2X Leupold mounted low. A perfect heavy woods gun in my own feeble mind.
It has a 2X Leupold mounted low. A perfect heavy woods gun in my own feeble mind.
mohavesam
Hawkeye
The barrels are not available any more so this would be an irreversible alteration. And I agree it turns a $1000 rifle into a $500 bubba special - IF it still functions.
cruzerlou
Buckeye
The reason for the adjustable gas system on the Ruger 556 really has nothing to do with light or heavy loads. Like many short stroke gas guns the gas block is adjustable to compensate for the gun being really dirty. Much like the FN-FAL the gas block is adjustable to make up for pressure lost due to powder fouling in the ports in the gas block. If your guns really dirty ,as it might get in a prolonged firefight, you just open up the port a bit so that the action will function properly.
For extremely light or heavy loads you can open or close the port to keep the gun in time ,but that's not it's primary function.
You can get an adjustable gas block for the M1A for shooting sub-sonic loads or close it completely for use with a suppressor effectively making the rifle a single shot .
You have to manually rack the bolt for each shot.
Lou
For extremely light or heavy loads you can open or close the port to keep the gun in time ,but that's not it's primary function.
You can get an adjustable gas block for the M1A for shooting sub-sonic loads or close it completely for use with a suppressor effectively making the rifle a single shot .
You have to manually rack the bolt for each shot.
Lou
