POLL: Change barrels, or dedicated recievers?

[krod47nw]

I have 6 barrels that I bought in the classifieds that don't fit any of my 3 recievers.  I am wondering if I should fit them to what I have, or look for more recievers.  I would like to know about everyones experience with barrel changing.


Kevin

[quickdtoo]

I have a few barrels that were factory fitted to one frame, but I don't swap them around, I fit one of them to a dedicated frame and leave it there. 

Tim

[Graybeard]

I personally don't like this "fitting your own" deal all the guys here do. It makes me wary in the EXTREME about buying ANY used NEF to be honest. I guess I just don't see the need with such a low price firearm to try and save yet more by having multiple barrels for one frame. Even when I was using TCs heavily I tended to not do a lot of switching after I'd been at it for a few years even tho I must admit when doing so in NRA Silhouette competition a click or two is about all I ever felt the need to make an adjustment with my TCs.

I've never done it with the NEF so dunno how well it works and have no plans to find out either.

[stimpylu32]

I've used every combo listed at one time or another , mostly I stick to one barrel per frame , while I have quite a few frames to chose from the odds that a used barrel will fit one is very good .

Once I find a combo that works I tend to stay with it , however I do swap barrels on the frame for my 22" 45/70 & my T-1 12ga. barrel , both will return to POA after the switch back just fine .

My .243 SL and .224GNR are staying just as they are , they just work too well to mess with .

stimpy

[petemi]

I have a few barrels that were factory fitted to one frame, but I don't swap them around, I fit one of them to a dedicated frame and leave it there. 

Tim

That's exactly what I have done.  They all fit and work well.  Three of them were bought as complete rifles, the rest were put together.

[cwlongshot]

I have four that have three or four frames fit with multiple barrels.

357 MAXI/30-30/45-70. I had a bit of a problem with the Maxi shifting POI. But cured it with attention to for-end fit. 

12 GA rifled Slug/16GA sawed short w/rifle sites/.410  No issues

243/308 Fit, shoot, work perfectly, first time.

223/25-06/280 This was a winner from the get go. Only prob there was the 25-06 liked to keep its cases. (They stick) But nothing as far as stock related, accuracy issues.

17M2/17HMR/22LR The 17 where always perfect, (Factory fit) the 22 took some massaging, but if I am careful will shoot almost as good.

The rest have dedicated frames and barrels.

CW

[LaOtto222]

I have 2 frames with three factory fitted barrels for each.

1. A 223 Ultra sent in for 357 and 30-30 barrels for that frame
2. A 44 Mag (2007 model) with sythetic stocks sent in for 22 Hornet SL and 444 Marlin barrels. I got a laminated stock and 5 laminated fore ends while I was at it and swapped out the plastic ones.

Fitting barrels gives me the creeps, all of mine are factory fitted. I am not squeemish about working on a gun. Recently I put a gold hammer on one of my frames to rid myself of the transfer bar and all it's issues and have done a trigger job on each. I will probably put a "golden" hammer on the other one as well. I would like to have 1 frame 1 barrel, but the addition of other calibers for the cheap was too hard for me to resist. I have not noticed much difference in changing barrels. The fore arm is the key here - did I mention I have a laminated fore end for each barrel?

[Swampman]

Since I'd never trust a swapped barrel without test firing it before hunting, I sight them in and leave them alone.  I don't even remove the barrels for cleaning.  The barrel program isn't worth it to me.  I'd say I've had roughly 30% sucess with getting used barrels to fit my receiver.  I don't fit them myself.  I'm hoping Remington with make barrel swapping a lot easier.

[tn_junk]

Started out mix and match but have settled on only four guns (.357 MAX, .308 Bull Barrel, .22 Rimfire and 20 Gauge), so better to just have a frame for each.
I actually have a "spare" Low Pressure 1996 frame with nothing around to fit to it. Saving it for later.

alan

[GPR125]

Started out with a .17 HMR Sportster to match one a friend of mine bought so that we could plink together, with the intent of adding maybe a HM2 & maybe .22 LR, but ran across a deal (at the time) on a new HM2 so never added barrels.  Ive added calibers and actions, but to date have only changed actual barrels on one (factory fit to a different barrel) but have added new lami stock to that action, so not sure if that makes it a "new" one or just "personalized".  I realize now that each one is a "dedicated" barrel/action configuration.  There is the thought that once you get a good trigger worked out, you could add barrels, but since all but one have settled in to be at least "usable" I don't see the point.   Except for a K-Hornet and a 357 Maxi and maybe a 7-08 and possibly a HB 22-260 'yote toter, I think I've about got this fever under control......

[cwlongshot]

I think I've about got this fever under control......

 Uh oh.. That's a SURE sign your TERMINAL!!!    The fever can lie dormant for extended periods of time, but will always come back even stronger. There is NO KNOWN cure. Only buying more and more keeps it tolerable. But don't worry, your in good company here!! 

CW

[Troyboy]

The jury is still out

                                 Troy

[Shawnee Gene]

All of my barrels have dedicated recievers.  Stocks and sights are another matter though! 

[JerryKo]

I think one day they will all be dedicated.  I have found accuracy and point of impact shifts when removing barrels.  The kicker is, it is not 100%.  I recall a few swaps that maintained POI, so it is probably possible with extra care and forearm dedication.

Once I get my youngest sons shooting(7mm-08) his will be the only one to be left with "extra" barrels.  It started life as a factory 3barrel combo(22lr,410,243).  The 243 is 20" and I fear it will be hard to get accurate.  The 7mm-08 is proving its self well and is more versatile so the 243 bl may get sold.  He still hasn't decided if he is a lefty like me or not. So this will be his gun until he does.

Jerry

[PartsMan]

I personally don't like this "fitting your own" deal all the guys here do. It makes me wary in the EXTREME about buying ANY used NEF to be honest.

A good reminder to you guys shopping used guns.
A factory fitted barrel will have the last three #s of the reciever s/n on it.
If not ask for a screwdriver to see just what they did to fit it!

[nomosendero]

If Rem. makes barrel fitting more viable or if they will make the new guns where barrels can be interchanged, I think that would be great. To me it makes sense to have an H&R with a barrel you shoot alot, but have another barrel or 2 in calibers that you want to shoot a little, but not enough to buy a whole rifle for. I did that with a 280 & a 450Mar. for awhile.

To me it is a great way to get a good bang for the buck. Otherwise, if I wanted dedicated at this price point in 30-06
or 270 for example, I would just go to Academy & get a Marlin bolt gun for $269.00 & get better performance.