QUESTION...Do you think buying a (new) barrel from anyone other than the manufacture is as good as buying from them directly, or could they be seconds?
Do you think it really matters one way or another? Found one I wouldnt have to wait on! Add said it is covered by manufactures warranty.

I have seen barrels that are not straight and not stress relieved so when installed and shot they hit everything but the target bulls eye !
spend your money on a Brand name that has proven itself .

Depends on who the seller is. A shop or smith that has a good reputation no issue. Picking up an unknown off EBay I'd have second thoughts.

I would expect a good discount buying off Ebay vs direct from a manufacturer to cover some of the risk.

That said, manufacturers aren't going to hand out replacement barrels without a good compelling reason no matter where you bought it.

There are several businesses offering in-stock barrels from custom makers due to the increasing backlog and wait times. The barrels they have in-stock are every bit as good as one ordered from the company directly. I know bugholes stocks Brux, Rock Creek, Bartlien, Krieger, and Mullerworks, oh, and Obermeyer occasionally. If the barrel you want is in stock, price is the same as ordering direct and you'll have it the same week vs. 8-12 weeks???

Guess I'll find out...ordered a Bartlein barrel from Grizzly tool. Will be here in 3 to 5 days.

Midway, Brownells, Bugholes and Grizzly are the only places I would buy a barrel outside of the Manufactuerer.

Steve,
You made a wise choice.

Thanks to all, first time buying outside of supplier.
Butch...I hope it lives up to all the hype!

It is not hype, Sir.
Alan Warner

I'd think you were safe there. Grizzly has a reputation to maintain.

What are you building?

Rich

Sorry Rich, didnt see that last response. 6mm Remington Ackley Improved.

Recieved it a couple days ago...have a way to bore scope it at work...thats always fun.

For what its worth, I have bought two Bartlein barrels from Grizzly. Both extremely accurate. Selling rifle barrels is a fraction of the Grizzly business. I believe I read somewhere that the owner is a competitive shooter and stocks the barrels to support the sport.

Yup, I dont think there is going to be any problems, its a good barrel as far as bore scoping. Yes the owner of Grizzly Tools is a competitive shooter.

Shiraz is one of the best FClass shooters in the USA and he is, was captain of our National FClass team.

Butch he drinks Koolaid too...

I tip my hat to a man that can shoot like that...

If the barrel is new and one of the better barrel makers, whats wrong with buying a barrel from an individual. Douglas, Lothar Walthers, Krieger, etc. will stand behind one of their barrels. Cheap barrels are risky. I will only use the high dollar barrels on my guns..The barrel is the very heart of an accurate rifle and its not the place to skimp..When you finish a gun and it looks fine and your proud of it, then it shoots 4 inches at 100 yards its a real downer.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If the barrel is new and one of the better barrel makers, whats wrong with buying a barrel from an individual. Douglas, Lothar Walthers, Krieger, etc. will stand behind one of their barrels. Cheap barrels are risky. I will only use the high dollar barrels on my guns..The barrel is the very heart of an accurate rifle and its not the place to skimp..When you finish a gun and it looks fine and your proud of it, then it shoots 4 inches at 100 yards its a real downer.

Nothing at all but Grizzly keeps many Bartlien barrels in stock so you don't have to wait 3 months are longer to get what you need.

Are you saying Bartlein doesn't make good barrels?


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First, premium grade barrels from the top makers are a class above OEM barrels. Even the best barrel makers have an occasional disapointment. How the deal with that situation set them appart fron each other. I prefer to provide my customers their new barrels. Both my barrel suppliers and myself guarentee our barrels and work. That is impossible to do when the customer supplies their own barrel. I buy and sell enough barrels that I get dealer pricing and prefered delivery times. I pass on a savings to my customer. This policy is a win win for my customers. I believe most other professional gunsmiths do the same for their customers.
Nat Lambeth