Barrel switching experience

[wreckhog]

Now have 5 Handis, .223, .308, 30-30, 30-06, and 12 gauge (SB1). All NN or newer.

The used 30-06 NW is the first one that does not swap. It is tight on every other action and the every other barrel is looser, but probably functional, on its action. It is the only one that extracts. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Gotta say that is pretty consistent.

Anyone have issues swapping ejector barrels with extractor barrels or am I just being silly?

No, I don't use any rifle barrels on the SB1, just played with fit.

[hector615]

I did this with a 25-06 barrel. I have a new Survivor model in .308 that is extractor. I put the 25.06 barrel on which is ejector and it worked fine.

Measured it all out and it locks up great, doing all the right things.

[quickdtoo]

Don't be lulled into a thinking they'll all fit, there are hundreds here that have found otherwise, trying a few barrels isn't a good representative sampling. The best scenario for having a frame that can be fitted with any barrel is to have several frames, it increases your chances of fitting without modification tremendously. 

Tim

[brennemanj83]

Don't be lulled into a thinking they'll all fit, there are hundreds here that have found otherwise, trying a few barrels isn't a good representative sampling. The best scenario for having a frame that can be fitted with any barrel is to have several frames, it increases your chances of fitting without modification tremendously. 

Tim

Tim is correct.I have only 1 SB2 frame and 2 SB1 frames.It is getting to be a pain in the butt swapping barrels out all the time.I have found that every barrel I have has to be fitted to my SB2 frame.I am going to be getting a few more SB2 frames to maximize my chances of a barrel fitting.

[quickdtoo]

Another issue you may encounter is buying a second(third..forth...) hand barrel that's been modified by a previous owner, sometimes botched, or buying one that's been setback by hot or high pressure loads, no lube and worn, or just a defective underlug. 

Tim

[hector615]

Good point, i guess i just got lucky with the 25-06 barrel.

But i sure do like the ejectors better than the extractors. My personal preference, though.

[quickdtoo]

It's not hard to convert an extractor to an ejector(FAQs) if you have a drill press which can be had for well under $100, that's if you're the DIY type. Pete's having a smith do the opposite conversion to a barrel, he should let us know the cost which would be similar as far as labor cost.

Tim

[Steve P]

Once you have a barrel fit to a specific frame, make sure you mark your barrel so you can quickly match it back to the same frame.  With my T/Cs, I use a fine brush with fingernail polish to put the last three digits of the frame serial number on the barrel lug.  A buddy of mine etches his with an engraver.  That makes it more permanent and a source for rust or corrosion.  The fingernail polish works fine for me, even if it is pink.

Steve