Flute a bull barrel

[ftlupton]

Thinking of fluting my 22/45 bull barrel, anyone ever done this? I would like to lighten the gun for woods/hiking. I also thought about a Tactical Solution setup. Ideas?

 

[sourdough44]

Is the cost worth it?? Why not just put a lighter weight model on your wish list?

 

[ftlupton]

I'm a tinkerer, always have been. Bought an expensive Perazzi trap gun and the first day home already redid the stock to shoot higher. You have a good point but where's the fun? I have access to a milling machine and can run it pretty good. Just wondering if anybody had done it and some of the pitfalls or suggestions.

 

[Coop]

How about an ACME thread on your barrel, as in this:

Coop

 

[BlkHawk73]

Just how much weight will the flutes reduce the overall weight by? Seems it would pretty darn minimal. IMO, if an couple ounces it a make it/break it for carrying the gun, maybe use that money for exercise equipment. Seriously, it's ounces here not pounds.

 

[rugerguy]

hey the sky is the limit, custom guys have been fluting and slab-siding barrels as long as I've been in the business....go for it
Of course we like to "see" pictures of the finished product...............
heck, make it an octagon barrel,now THAT would be different..........

 

[ftlupton]

Have access to a milling machine and have used it quite a lot on other projects. I thought about just slab siding barrel, that should be fairly easy. Maybe I think too much but can't help wondering.

 

[ftlupton]

blakhawk73, good point in your country but I live in Colorado and I live at 5,000 ft and hike at 8,000 feet plus I am 69 yrs old so every ounce counts. I'm heading to Maine October 4th to see your beautiful trees and the coastline. Can't wait, never been there and all I hear about Maine is good. Best to ya, shoot good.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Ok, I'll give ya that one. Hope your visit to our neighborhood is a pleasant one for you! Should be having some good color in the trees by then. Part of what I love most about living here is the woods, mountains and cost all within a short drive.
Been to CO and I can say it's very picturesque there as well. REAL mountains there. :lol:

 

[DanChamberlain]

There is a company that offers upper receivers for the Ruger pistols that come fluted with a steel barrel surrounded by an aluminum housing. Supposed to be pretty accurate and very lightweight.

Dan

 

[berettapistols]

The Pac Lite Uppers are the way to go IMO..
I buy all my Ruger accessories from Paul Zint @ KY Guns..
Here's a page with a few pictures & prices..
http://www.paulzintgunsmith.com/pistol_six.html

I will have to say If I had access to a milling machine & the time I'd love to try something like this too..

Also being Ruger offers many different barrel lenths & tapers etc you should be able to find something..
I find that my 6 7/8" tapered target barrel is very well balanced & is hard to beat & weighs much less than the slabside or the government target models with the same barrel lenth..

 

[Ed333]

quote, "Also being Ruger offers many different barrel lenths & tapers etc you should be able to find something..
I find that my 6 7/8" tapered target barrel is very well balanced & is hard to beat & weighs much less than the slabside or the government target models with the same barrel lenth.."

Plus one on this, my Mk II heavy taper target model is my go-to pistol, no longer have a slabside or government model. Just balances so nice, and gives up nothing in accuracy.

 

[blume357]

Personally, I'd change the upper and barrel out or just as easy get another one the way you like it... then again, serious hiking usually requires carrying something a little more than a 22 handgun in my opinion.

I'd be concerned over how much heat you put on the barrel removing the metal when fluting it... but I suppose someone versed in machine work would know how to deal with this.

 

[mjpchief]

Just take light cuts and run coolant on the cutter and you won't have any trouble with heat.

 

[SocialD]

How about an ACME thread on your barrel, as in this:

Coop

Now that is a lot of added surface area. I love the idea and the look. Nice job!!

I know that acme is an actual type of thread, but I still can't help but think of Wiley Coyote whenever I hear the word.

 

[berettapistols]

That barrel in blued would look great with one of those Thompson Kits...