2aHawaii

General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: tundah on June 05, 2011, 09:39:55 PM

Title: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: tundah on June 05, 2011, 09:39:55 PM

Just got a good deal on a brand new DS SA58 (FAL type rifle). Problem is it's longer than I'd like at 21" and I would like it maybe 3 to 5" shorter.  Looking on line the barrel cutting process looks pretty straight forward and simple, and I have access to a bandsaw that should guarantee a straight cut.  Anyone ever tried it? I know there may be cycling issues as a result, but shouldn't the rifles adjustable gas system be able to compensate for that?

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: Alaskana on June 05, 2011, 10:26:27 PM

Long story short, if you want to be able to hit the broad side of a barn, don't. You'd need to have the barrel recrowned, and threaded properly. That requires a lathe.

Best bet would be to get a gunsmith to do it. Disassembling a fal is a pain in the ass though. You can seriously screw up the rifle to dangerous perportions by messing with dwell time also.

I'd call dsa and check online at falfiles.

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: tundah on June 05, 2011, 11:12:14 PM

Roger on the last, but respectfully; I don't think you need a lathe to properly crown a barrel, nor to cut threads (having done so myself a couple of times).

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: 2aHawaii on June 06, 2011, 02:26:56 AM

There are hand tools to recrown the barrel (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=684575). I think the biggest issues will be getting a perfect 90 degree cut and the dwell time issues.

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: BananaClip on June 06, 2011, 06:58:50 AM

Iv'e been playing with that idea for a while now. Let us know how that goes Tundah. I always look at the crowning tools on Midway USA.

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: pj_benn on June 06, 2011, 03:07:31 PM

Ive looked into this because i bought the rifle youre looking at but also wanted the 18in barrel. Youre right on with your thinking. Can be done, probably cause cycling problems, possibly even with the gas adjusted all the way. If you do it id be right in line to do mine if everything worked out well. Or you can buy my used one for a discounted price, that way it wont hurt as much if you fudge it up, and ill use the money to buy a scar h. Lmk

Title: Re: Cutting down a barrel
Post by: Echo5Alpha on June 06, 2011, 08:25:47 PM

Weird I've been researching on an ideal barrel length on my Remington 700 Police.  However I'll be going through a gunsmith as I'm looking at having a muzzle brake added as well.