OT Gunsmithing estimate

[Otto]

Does anybody know how much it might cost to have about 1/2 to 1 inch cut off the barrel of a Ruger 10/22 and remount the front sight? It looks like someone worked over the crown with a screwdriver. No, it wasn't I, and it isn't my rifle.

[Hobie]

If it is JUST the crown it can be re-crowned.

[Otto]

I don't know, it extends in about a quarter inch or so, and there are some pretty serious gouges. I mean bad. These are not scratches, they're gouges.

[Hobie]

I don't know, it extends in about a quarter inch or so, and there are some pretty serious gouges. I mean bad.

Well, then, you do need to remove some barrel. It might be more cost effective to get a new barrel from one of the aftermarket guys or a take-off from somebody who has replaced theirs.

[Otto]

Yeah, that's where I was heading. That was actually my first suggestion, but then I thought maybe a trim would be cheaper.

[Hobie]

Yeah, that's where I was heading. That was actually my first suggestion, but then I thought maybe a trim would be cheaper.

I saw a guy selling his (I guess it has sold by now) take-off for less than $50. I imagine it would cost about $50 to do the trim.

[Guncase]

Trimming the barrel, squaring up the end and crowning, and cutting new dovetail will take at least an hour. It will probably require a new front sight also because the original is dovetailed into a barrel band and might be too short when just dovetailed into the barrel. I'm guessing around $100.00. I think the take off barrel idea is the best. It is an easy job that can be done at home with an allen wrench.

[marlinman93]

There's tons of them for sale on Gunbroker, and often they go for under #50, sometimes under $35!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.asp
Here's a new one with a buy it now of $45.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =122573905

[mescalero1]

I have an extra one, it has been painted black with that flat black bake on from Brownell's ( not by me ) give me $25.00 and it's yours.

[AJMD429]

1. Practical Answer - order an extra barrel in whatever configuration you want - 'normal' or 'target/bull' or 'carbon fiber/lined' or whatever. Install that and you're good to go - PLUS have an extra barrel. You can then slowly experiment and probably 'do' that old barrel yourself and learn/have fun/get a spare barrel in the process.

2. Dumb Question - why can't an ordinary 'chamber reamer' be used to open up and crown the barrel end without affecting the front sight...? Heck, buy a .22 Hornet reamer for that matter - just something which would go in at least a quarter or half inch and symmetrically open up things? Drill a couple holes through the front sight 'band' first, and you'll have a 'Magnaported' gun. Any reason that really wouldn't work, using a .22LR chamber reamer, .22 Mag chamber reamer, or whatever you might want to buy in case you wanted to later use it for other projects? Even a high quality countersinking bit/reamer?

[mescalero1]

AJMD429,
Sounds reasonable to me.

[Sixgun]

AJMD429,
Sounds reasonable to me.

Excellent It can't hurt-----For something like that, I would be inclined to take a nice sharp .250 drill bit and go to town on it. heck, it ain't no 1886-----------Sixgun

[Chuck 100 yd]

Replace it! I was looking at my new 10-22 and it looks like the front sight base is integeral with the barrel. I cant see where it was soldered on. I think they are cast integral (sp?) with the barrel. There are bunches of them around. Maybe you could pick one up cheep at a gun show. Easy change also, only need an Allen wrench.

[Pete44ru]

I'd simply deeply recess the crown, as suggested, and if that didn't work, take mescalero up on his offer of a $25 barrel and take another 10mins to switch it out.

The 10/22 standard carbine's front sight is mounted in an enlarged boss that's, AFAIK, an integral part of the barrel, and not an add-on barrel band sight.
If it's cut off, you might as well take off the rear sight also, fill the dovetail slot & mount a scope ILO fooling around with it.

.

[awp101]

Here's a take off stock and barrel listed right here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14300&view=unread#unread

[Otto]

Thanks for the replies, everybody. Reaming or recessing the crown is an excellent idea, I wish Ida thoughta that.

I am sorry to report, however, that the owner is too cheap to spend either time or effort to fix this. He is content to shoot it as is, even though he freely admits he can't even hit a popcan at TEN yards with it.

Whatever, dude.