I was at the Tulsa Gun show last weekend. I heard some talk about Douglas Barrels going out of business. Does anyone have accurate information about this?

I haven’t heard that but perhaps, just perhaps… , they sent out one too many barrels with the caterpillar finish on the exterior!

Photo in this thread

CN; how many Douglas Barrels have you used? I have used dozens of them. Never had a bad one. Was that one in that old thread a rough turned one?
They are being sold; due to all the copies out there; the oldest and best barrel company; sales are down.
No they are not going out of business.

Sure hope not. Hard to find a better value, with quick delivery.

I’ve had north of a dozen and not less than 5 in the the gun room now. They have never done me wrong concerning performance but the exterior finish of their barrels is not their strong suite.

They didn't go out of business but have new owners.

quote:

Originally posted by ChickenNose:
I’ve had north of a dozen and not less than 5 in the the gun room now. They have never done me wrong concerning performance but the exterior finish of their barrels is not their strong suite.

The exterior finish on a rifle barrel is kind of the gunsmith's job. I have no problem doing my own polishing. To me, insisting a on a perfect exterior finish is like abdicating responsibility for part of the job. Regards, Bill.

I have talked to the new owner several times this week. Douglas Barrels is alive and well; they will not be moved from Cross Lanes WV, and the personnel running the place won't change. They did just buy a new Haas CNC lathe, for final contouring.
As for final finish; they are not going to be polished; that is the gunsmith's job. They are ground to a smooth finish, unless you order a Rough Turned one, in which case, you get one with lathe tooling marks on it.
Their barrels are made by a gear driven, push button method; No one else does it that way. That is why they have such a uniform twist. Other makers just pull the button through. Since 1948.

Been using their barrels for many years. Had 3 stinkers go back to them, two were crybaby customers (probably nothing wrong with them) and one (30 CA AG XX SS #7 Rem, 95 Palma chamber) gave it up after 200 rounds. Shot like a million bucks then it just DIED. We tried everything to make it shoot. Changed scopes, mounts, bolts, triggers etc. In each instance Stan took them back with little or no fuss and sent out replacements pronto. ALL the makers let a rotten one get away now and then. The GOOD guys make it right without a fuss.
When ordering get FT (finish turned and polished) for 10 or 15 bucks and you wont see threading on the outside!

If a barrel is "BAD", does or should the barrel maker also pay for the installer's fees as well?

Absolutely NOT! It don't work that way. They have no control over how it was installed, and that it often the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Kolo-Pan:
If a barrel is "BAD", does or should the barrel maker also pay for the installer's fees as well?

I dont. Just part of doing biz. As a general rule, take care of these customers at times like this and it almost always comes back in other forms.

I spoke to Douglas today and from the horse's mouth they are not going anywhere anytime soon

I truly hope the new owners can make the investments in equipment, innovation, and people, to make Douglas the relevant player that it once was. A quick look at their web site will show they have not been making these investments for some time. Not knocking them, it is very hard for the small business to make the investment needed. One reason why so few last beyond the first generation. I wish them the best, we need all the barrel makers we can get. They all have 6 months to over a year backlog. Plenty of work there to be had.

John

There are plenty of cases when exterior finish is not important (special contours, etc) Never had a Douglas barel "walk" when doing an integral job.

Having said that...there's many times when it is desireable and "money ahead" to have an impecable outside finish...and when the brand always delivers better than ex pected performance...I go to Lothar Walther...delivery has never been over 6 weeks.

Kreiger's olutside finish is acceptable, they all shoot well..but delivery?

Had only one Pac Nor...Outside filnish wsas simoply put...terrible...So bad that I offered client..Pay me lotsa $$$ to make it right or send it back to Pac Nor. When I got it back..well... it WAS better..about all I can say

I used Douglas for a few years early on and no problems, but I prefer Lothar Walther over all barrels, nothing comes close to them IMO..