Anyone had any experience taking off a barrel themselves.
The reason I am asking is that it would cost me about $40 to have the local butcher, I mean gunsmith take off the barrel.
I have heard of a big vise, padding the action, and wrapping leather around the barrel and then using a pipewrench. I figure the barrel would only be worth $40-50 so it wouldn't be a loss if I accidently marred the barrel.
How about heating up the barrel?
I'm sure it would be possible to "twist" the action. How would I prevent this?
Anything else I should be aware of?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

Get a Midway catalog and buy a proper action wrench and barrel vise, then follow the directions, otherwise you will just wreck the gun.-Rob

You definitely need an action wrench to avoid twisting the action rails -- RGB is right, Midway is a good source for that. Don't even think of wedging a lever between the rails and loading port -- it will ruin the action. Careful with heat too, or you'll anneal the front ring.

If the barrel is junk, the pipe wrench is probably a good idea; old military arms, in particular, can have pretty tight barrels.

Of course, the action wrench is $40, so unless you plan to take off a few barrels...

Todd

[This message has been edited by Todd Getzen (edited 02-07-2002).]

If you are handy at all you can make these tools also. The action wrench requires a little fitting but the barrel vise can be two blocks of wood sanwdiched between 2 pieces of plate steel bolted together with 2 5/8" bolts. If you don't have one yet call Midway and ask for a gunsmithing catalog then you know what you need to get or make.

Do not use a pipe wrench, cresent wrench or any other mickey mouse shortcuts. You will destroy the rifle. Ok, so you got the barrel off, then what??? You are not equiped to rebarrel it anyway.

If you must try it,

Barrel vice, two big pieces of steel, 1/2" by 2" or greater sized stock is needed. drill any tap them for 1/2" fine thread bolts about 2" apart. Make maple block that fits the barrel well and cote them with rosin. Sinch down those bolts until the wood starts to "talk". The barrel will not slip. Won't be damaged either.

Action wrench, same kind of thing. Use big steel stock and drill and tap it to make a wrench. Often one side of the wrench, I usually make it the handle, can be flat. Mausers and such. The other piece must fit the top of the receiver ring closely. Have a milling machine or lathe?? I use a piece of paper and rosin on that side.

Now that every thing is tight and snug find a way to safely put some big tork on the action. Maybe bolt the barrel vice to a 4x 4 buried in the ground, like a fence post. Find a really big vice........ Then, put a cheater bar on the action wrench and lean into it.....wack the wrench handle with a big hammer to get things started.

Not so easy huh??

Pay the 40 bucks!!

A lot more complicated than I thought.
Looks like the gun is going for a trip down south.
Thanks for all the advice, you guys convinced me.

Just when you think you hae "seen it all", a new trick comes into barrel removal.

I had a Wby MK V that had the threads full of RED Lock tite,

Military or Remingtons are some of the tightest.

Unless you have the right tools, don't mess with it.

Yukon, don't be frightened by all this. Taking a barrel off most actions is a fairly simple procedure. Just make sure that you get the proper tools. Yes they will cost some money up front. How many more barrels will you remove in your lifetime? Once you are set up, it's very easy. I suggest you get a copy of "Advanced Rebarreling Of The Sporting Rifle" by Willis Fowler Jr. and read the chapter on removing barrels. Sure, there are some horror stories out there, but the majority of rifle barrel removals are a simple job. - Dan

I removed a barrel from a yugo mauser just the other day. This was without a doubt, the hardest barrel I ever removed. Ended up grinding a flat accross the barrel stub to get a grip on with only one wood block and the flat against the bottom of the barrel vise. If I were to give any advise, it would be to submerse the threads in kroil for a week before removing.

Most others have turn right off without a hitch.

As said above, get the right tools - there is no substitute...

One item that no one mentioned is if you do this once, you'll get the idea you can build nice rifles yourself. Damnedable thing about it, is you can. Your life will never be the same. Hope you have lots of room in your gun cabinet/safe