Barrel cost/work/time query.

[Paladin1]

Being relatively fresh faced from the other side of the pond to coming here on and off, I've always been fascinated with the differences between the two places.

One being how the gun industry is of such a high standard from a small industry compared to at home.

Our barrels are at best $500, but usually can pick them up from time to time for $150.

I've spoken with plenty guys here now here, and the going rate for fitting a barrel is £1200 and upwards.

$1800 seems quite high in my world for a barrel being fitted to a Tikka T3 for 2-3 hours work

What are you guys getting, that we don't for your money?

 

[Greenmist]

More of a niche market over here, and with more restrictions, less shooters on the whole in this country and fewer who will bother to put a new barrel on. Most people on this forum can probably run the names off of the people that do it in this country. Anyone that does it over here will have to be an RFD (or work directly for one), be insured etc. We also have the proof house and other legislation. As to the general cost of a barrel, simply put, supply and demand. I always liked the story of the UK distributor who complained to a US powder company about an order, only to be told one shop in Texas ordered more powder than the whole of the UK

 

[Cyres]

North of £1000. That's supply fitting threading and proof.
If its a US made barrel then huge minimiium order size cost of shipping and duty. All adds up. May be cheaper for UK made barrels and if common off shelf calibre.
D

 

[takbok]

£1800 is excessive.

A mass produced pre-fit barrel vs individually custom fitted barrel is not comparable.

Roughly £300-£500? for barrel blank, half a day's labour and overheads for gunsmith, proofing costs, carriage.

 

[Liveonce]

nobody works for nothing these days especially given the current cost of living.

 

[steve19]

£1800 is silly money, that's someone who doesn't want to do it and has gave a F**K off price.

Like cyres said if it's US made barrel youve got the duty and shipping on top.

Ive had 2 done within the last 5 years, one was £750 and the other was £850.

It's supply and demand as well, there's a lot more gunsmiths in the US working to lower margins than there is here.

 

[20-250]

The OP said 1800 dollars, not pounds.

 

[HonestJohn]

Rebarrel jobs are pushing the limits of being worth it in the U.K. these days. Hell, you can almost buy a new t3

 

[andyk]

I’d say £1,000 to £1,200 is to be expected for a barrel replacement over here, from someone established and using a good quality barrel (but nothing too fancy).

How does it cost that much? 20% will be VAT as a starting point, the person doing it will need to be a RFD and the work then needs to be proofed (about £50 plus the ‘smiths time taking it to and from, it can only be done in Birmingham or London). Those are adding overheads before any work is done, or tools and barrels are bought.

Pre-fit barrels aren’t popular either, as they’re classed as s1 firearms and so can only be purchased dealer to dealer or with a certificate variation. That’s not to say they can’t be used but as the pool of people who can fit them is limited they aren’t that popular (I imagine as by the time you’ve paid for everything else, the % saving won’t be that good).

My take is that there’s a smaller pool of people who can do the work, who have to operate as ‘proper’ businesses and which are subject to more regulation, the consequences of which are higher prices.

 

[andyk]

Rebarrel jobs are pushing the limits of being worth it in the U.K. these days. Hell, you can almost buy a new t3

Certainly was the case a few years ago but I’m seeing new ones advertised at >£1,500 which does seem a lot.

 

[Cyres]

Well mine was a Bartelin cut, hand lapped 1:10 so top of the range.
Buy once cry once.
D

 

[Shabz]

Well mine was a Bartelin cut, hand lapped 1:10 so top of the range.
Buy once cry once.
D

Once every 2000 shots?

 

[Greenmist]

On a more positive note, deals can be had, I had two rebarreled , one with a shilen, one with a pendragon for £1200 a couple of years ago, right place right time

 

[sauer]

As side above .
Machine costs
Running costs
Tooling / reamers
Rfd insurance electricity
Barrel kreiger bartlein brux etc there are cheaper
Proof house and shipping to and from

Circa £1200. Which is $1611 ish

Usually includes threading and end cap


but if done right by any of the usual named smiths on here then can end up with a semi custom T3 with a high end barrel that will put smile on your face

Paul



X

 

[Demetrius]

Last one I had done cost £1000 all in......Bartlein, fitting, and proof at a master gunsmith, the year before last.
The year before that, I had a Brux blank that I got for £400, and paid another 400 for fitting and proof.
Two years before that, a Bergara blank for £200, fitting etc, £275..........

Everything's getting more expensive.

D.

 

[JH83]

Rebarrel jobs are pushing the limits of being worth it in the U.K. these days. Hell, you can almost buy a new t3

True, but if you re barrel a nice rifle, like a sako 75, you’ll have a lot better rifle that ought to shoot tighter groups. That’s what it is all about at the end of the day!