Cutting threads on unthreaded barrel

[Sgt.K]

I picked up a cheap 16" assembled 5.56 upper a year or so ago at a show. I generally appreciated the bits and bobs and setup, and thought at the time I liked the simplicity of no muzzle device. I have been re-thinking the build and want to add a brake or comp or something without using a clamp-on adapter. The barrel is slightly wider for about 1/2" at the muzzle end, providing adequate 'meat' to simply cut the threads. Sorry, no photo at this time.

I don't have the tools or the talent to do the work myself. Is there anyone in the DelCo area who could do this? I can tear everything down to just the barrel to get the work done more simply, if necessary. I'd like to keep costs under those of a replacement barrel.

What say y'all?

[JC Blauvelt]

Milford, PA. We do these all the time for a class 3 dealer near by who sells suppressors. www.jcbgunsmith.com

[Walleye Hunter]

CDI in Chalfont can do that too but I do not know how much work he is doing right now. Sean is a member here.

[markshere2]

For the gun smiths.... any reason he can't just buy the die and DIY it?

[McSull]

For the gun smiths.... any reason he can't just buy the die and DIY it?

The tools may costs almost as much as having a professional do it.

[Walleye Hunter]

For the gun smiths.... any reason he can't just buy the die and DIY it?

No gunsmith here, just an old man who's been around the block a couple of times. I see a couple of possible reason to not do that #1 If the barrel was the right diameter for a standard threading die to fit on it, the risk is there to not have it start straight and create a disaster. #2 I don't think a gunsmith would use a die on it, I expect that they would turn the threads in on a lathe.

[Xringshooter]

For the gun smiths.... any reason he can't just buy the die and DIY it?

Not a good idea. If the threads are not done correctly it could spell disaster for the muzzle device. The threads for a muzzle device, be it a flash hider, muzzle brake or suppressor (especially a suppressor) should be perfectly perpendicular and concentric to the bore so that everything is dead straight through. Gunsmiths who thread barrels do them on a lathe to achieve this.

[raxar]

For the gun smiths.... any reason he can't just buy the die and DIY it?

On an AR its because you need to have the muzzle end turned down as the vast majority of barrels are much too thick for 1/2x28 threads. On an AK its easy as can be.

[zachomega]

What is the cost of having it turned down vs buying a second barrel and having a friend with a wrench and a vise loan you their time/tools?

-Zach

[raxar]

What is the cost of having it turned down vs buying a second barrel and having a friend with a wrench and a vise loan you their time/tools?

-Zach

Depends on the quality of your gunsmith.