Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Does it work?

    Such a simple idea to help re-center the barrel into the slide why haven't other manufactures incorporated it, or even aftermarket barrel makers?

    pics for some views.....



  2. #2
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    I'm surprised... doesn't that o-ring wear out fairly quickly?

    I would have guessed that the high speed friction of a semi-auto's recoil and general overall heat of bullet explosions would make that a poor engineering choice for o-rings.

    Of course, I'm not a materials engineer, so what do I know?

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Kayland View Post
    I'm surprised... doesn't that o-ring wear out fairly quickly?

    I would have guessed that the high speed friction of a semi-auto's recoil and general overall heat of bullet explosions would make that a poor engineering choice for o-rings.

    Of course, I'm not a materials engineer, so what do I know?
    I don't think it's meant to seal anything anything, but rather a way to tighten the barrel to slide tolerances in way that will not cause permanent wear: ie, closer metal to metal contact


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Quote Originally Posted by BIA_Design View Post
    I don't think it's meant to seal anything anything, but rather a way to tighten the barrel to slide tolerances in way that will not cause permanent wear: ie, closer metal to metal contact
    I understand that it's no seal...

    My puzzlement is over the fact that I would think the rubber material of the o-ring would wear away very quickly from the heat and friction and thereby not serve its intended purpose after a few dozen shots, if that.

    Just out of curiosity, how many shots does that o-ring hold up for?

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Kayland View Post
    Just out of curiosity, how many shots does that o-ring hold up for?
    Based upon at least one "torture test" by Greg Bell over on HKPRO (on an HK45 full-size)... Over 10,000 rounds... Plus HK throws an extra 1 or 2 in the box... Now, as for how well it actually "works" in tightening lockup enough where one might notice greater accuracy... I don't think it makes much of a difference. But as long as it doesn't affect performance (which it doesn't), it can't hurt, IMO...

    Regards,
    -Bones

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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Quote Originally Posted by JoeyBones View Post
    Based upon at least one "torture test" by Greg Bell over on HKPRO (on an HK45 full-size)... Over 10,000 rounds... Plus HK throws an extra 1 or 2 in the box... Now, as for how well it actually "works" in tightening lockup enough where one might notice greater accuracy... I don't think it makes much of a difference. But as long as it doesn't affect performance (which it doesn't), it can't hurt, IMO...

    Regards,
    -Bones
    10k rounds... I am genuinely surprised... I'm guessing that's more than your ordinary garden variety rubber o-ring then... some sort of special material, more of a polymer maybe? Don't petroleum based oils tend to damage rubber?
    Last edited by Robert Kayland; October 9th, 2008 at 05:16 PM.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Kayland View Post
    10k rounds... I am genuinely surprised... I'm guessing that's more than your ordinary garden variety rubber o-ring then... some sort of special material, more of a polymer maybe? Don't petroleum based oils tend to damage rubber?
    Yes, petroleum-based stuff does tend to damage rubber, from everything I've seen/read/etc. I think these O-rings are indeed some type of polymer/nylon derivative. I haven't contacted HK to ask them (not that you'd be able to get a definitive answer from their C.S anyhow), but this Greg Bell guy has a thread entitled "Project: Break My HK45." He's got pics to document all wear and tear that has occurred over the course of his "testing." He did the exact same thing with his P2000 a few years back, IIRC.
    I had the same thought when I first saw this system: "It aint gonna last more than 500 rounds" (the O-ring that is). Apparently I was wrong...
    Even before the Tacs and HK45 had it, I thougth the MK23/SOCOM had an O-ring system since it's introduction (But that is just based on my vague memories of handling one several years back; Very possible that I'm mistaken on that).

    Regards,
    -Bones

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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    I think these O-rings are indeed some type of polymer/nylon derivative.
    File this one under: Better living through science!

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    They don't seal anything, they just snug up the barrel to slide fit. You get a relatively consistent and tight lockup, without having to deal with match fitting... and the friction that comes with it.

    It was some good forward thinking on HK's behalf... I'm not sure if it's patented, or not. HKPro would probably have an answer about that.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Barrel centering rubber o-ring as found on the HK USP Tac.

    I can't help but notice that now TWO posters have mentioned "seal"...

    I'm curious as to why this concept of sealing ever entered the discussion.

    What am I missing here?

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