Barrel Work on my 94

[kenken0269]

I have just picked up another Winny 94 in 30-30 and I want to shorten the barrel to 16". Is this something that can be done at home or would it be better to have it done by a pro? I just like the looks of the short gun and have been wanting one but can't find one. Is there a step by step somewhere that I can follow?

Any help would be appreciated.

kenken

[pokey]

how handy are you?
how brave are you?
it can be done, i did it with hand tools.

trapper1.JPG

hardest part [ for me ] was locating and cutting the front sight dove tail by hand.
measure 5 times, cut once, cuss alot.

[O.S.O.K.]

Aren't you going to say how you did that? Hmmm?

I would think that a pipe cutter to mark a good starting ring around the barrel at the cut point, followed by a hack saw and then finish by cutting a new crown (brownell's tool) - cut magazine to match - relocate the barrel band - dt the hole for the mag cap - and finally, yes cut the new dovetail for the front sight.

Something like that?

[M. M. Wright]

I'd just chop it off with my hot saw.

[Dave]

I have seen that go good and bad. If I wasn't pretty dang sure I could make it come out right I would let someone who could do it.

[AJMD429]

I'm just 'nuts' enough I'd do it myself. Partly because my recent experiences with 'gunsmith' work left much to be desired... I do NOT object to paying high-wages for quality work, but 'modest' wages for stuff worse than I'd do myself on a really bad day just doesn't cut it.

The re-dovetailing or whatever is needed for the magazine hanging would be the 'hardest' part - but I've done that with nothing more than a hand-file. . . AND IT WORKED JUST FINE.

[pokey]

Aren't you going to say how you did that? Hmmm?

I would think that a pipe cutter to mark a good starting ring around the barrel at the cut point, followed by a hack saw and then finish by cutting a new crown (brownell's tool) - cut magazine to match - relocate the barrel band - dt the hole for the mag cap - and finally, yes cut the new dovetail for the front sight.

Something like that?

no pipe cutter [ good idea?] just eyeballed the cut, file and abrasives to
flatten/true up muzzle, no brownell's tool just a single flute countersink
in a hand brace, trim and drill mag tube. then the second hardest part
file the notch for the front barrel band screw in both barrel and mag tube.
better get them in the same place. sounds simple, no?
it's deceptively tricky in spots, go slow and it will go fine.

[Griff]

Why? Winchester 94 Trapper 16" Barrel 30-30 Rifle

[pokey]

Why? Winchester 94 Trapper 16" Barrel 30-30 Rifle

all together now,

BECAUSE I CAN,

[Mike Hunter]

My concern with doing it freehand would be can you get the muzzle square and the front sight DT straight and level.

Generally when recrowning the muzzle, the barrel is put in a lathe, the bore is dialed in and the muzzle is recrowned, concentric with the bore

When doing dovetails in round barrels I use a .0005 Dial Test Indicator (DTI) to “dial in” the barrel, using a known reference point (usually the rear sight DT if I’m recutting the front). That way I know the front sight is square with everything else.

Mike

[salvo]

Here's the link to my trapper conversion, from the "One Sticky" above.

http://onesticky.levergunscommunity.org ... rsion.html

[OD*]

Aren't you going to say how you did that? Hmmm?

I would think that a pipe cutter to mark a good starting ring around the barrel at the cut point, followed by a hack saw and then finish by cutting a new crown (brownell's tool) - cut magazine to match - relocate the barrel band - dt the hole for the mag cap - and finally, yes cut the new dovetail for the front sight.

Something like that?

no pipe cutter [ good idea?] just eyeballed the cut, file and abrasives to
flatten/true up muzzle, no brownell's tool just a single flute countersink
in a hand brace, trim and drill mag tube. then the second hardest part
file the notch for the front barrel band screw in both barrel and mag tube.
better get them in the same place. sounds simple, no?
it's deceptively tricky in spots, go slow and it will go fine.

Couldn't you just shorten the mag tube from the rear?

[kenken0269]

That's what I was wondering, if I could just shorten the mag tube from the rear. Also, my front sight is the ramp style and wouldn't it be easier to deal with. Don't they just screw on instead of using a dove tail? I am really wanting to try this.

kenken

[OD*]

That's what I was wondering, if I could just shorten the mag tube from the rear. Also, my front sight is the ramp style and wouldn't it be easier to deal with. Don't they just screw on instead of using a dove tail? I am really wanting to try this.

kenken

I would think that shortening the barrel from front would be easier, you wouldn't have to consider the taper of the barrel and rechambering. The Winchesters I've had chopped, the magazine tubes were done from the rear, and the barrels from the muzzle.

[20cows]

If you make it 16 1/2 inches, you can put 6 in the magazine instead if just 5.

[pokey]

My concern with doing it freehand would be can you get the muzzle square and the front sight DT straight and level.

Generally when recrowning the muzzle, the barrel is put in a lathe, the bore is dialed in and the muzzle is recrowned, concentric with the bore

When doing dovetails in round barrels I use a .0005 Dial Test Indicator (DTI) to “dial in” the barrel, using a known reference point (usually the rear sight DT if I’m recutting the front). That way I know the front sight is square with everything else.

Mike

exactly. looks easy, ain't necessarily so.

That's what I was wondering, if I could just shorten the mag tube from the rear. Also, my front sight is the ramp style and wouldn't it be easier to deal with. Don't they just screw on instead of using a dove tail? I am really wanting to try this.

kenken

yup shorten from the rear is ok for the mag tube, still have to align the
barrel band groove.if it falls in the right spot.
the front sight ramp is integral to the barrel [ not screwed on].
besides a trapper front sight should be dted to barrel imho.

measure 3 or 4 or 5 times, cut once.

[kimwcook]

Scott, as always you do excellent work.