Threaded vs pinned barrels

[raubvogel]

Quick question: what do you gain/loose by having a barrel threaded to a receiver vs pressed and pinned? I know it is kinda hard to compare because the only rifle/carbine I know of that used both is the SKS, but humor me. Off the top of my head:

Easy to assemble:
At a factory pressing and pinning seems to be easier because you can have the barrel already cut without worrying about timing it. And headspacing can be done while pressing barrel with some kind of jog to stop barrel at the right place with respect to bolt. But, it seems that at least in the SKS example, removing/replacing barrel without a press is easier for the screwed in barrel. But, then we get the Mausers and FALs which require more than nasty words to unscrew their barrels.

Accuracy:
Is it really a difference?

 

[Shawnpatrick]

Seems threaded would be much easier to add a suppressor to.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The OP is talking about attaching the barrel to the receiver. Adding a suppressor has nothing to do with being threaded or pinned. Not talking about muzzle devices.

Threaded barrels seem easier to install, especially in bolt actions where there is no gas hole to align. Easier to adjust headspace, too. Press a barrel too much or too little, headspace can be an issue. Also a pressed barrel is easier to ensure perfect alignment of a gas hole.

The AR seems to have the best of both, with a press in barrel extension and the threaded barrel nut. A simple torque to align in the gas tube... Very simple and can be done at home. Pressing in an AK barrel isn't something I'd like to attempt.

 

[Ironman615]

I believe the op is referring to the barrel to receiver fit. In any case, I've never had to deal with a pressed and pinned barrel myself, but I've thought that there would be little difference in head spacing procedure between the two. I think we need input from someone familiar with rifle manufacturing practices.

 

[briansmithwins]

HK's G3 series (and related roller lockers) is all pressed and pinned and seem to work alright, as do 100 million AKs.

Stoner's M16 is interesting as the stressed parts (barrel and barrel extension) are threaded to each other, and then have the gas port and index holes drilled. Of course, the whole assembly is then a slip fit secured by a nut.

BSW

 

[scythefwd]

I have an 1960's era anschutz target 22. Its barrel is pressed and pinned. Its not quite apples to apples as its a 22 vs. a centerfire, but the accuracy seems to be available, at least in 22's.

I also have heard that when smiths swapped barrels in those, it was VERY common practice to thread the tennon and shank.

 

[MCMXI]

Accuracy:
Is it really a difference?

The theory is that an interference fit pressed barrel will align with the receiver more accurately than a threaded barrel. In reality, the concentricity of the chamber and bore in combination with a number of other variables such as bolt lugs, lands, grooves, residual stresses etc are equally important. From a manufacturing point of view, it is simpler to heat up the receiver and insert a finished, non-threaded barrel and headspace off a gauge than go through all the steps required in making and assembling threaded barrels/receivers.

 

[Bezoar]

from a manufacturing standpoint its saves MONEY. dont need to spend the money to pay someone to design any jigs and fixtures for the threading. and at the same time you decrease reject parts, that saves money in itself. way beyond what you would think.

"hey hank, the threading machine just put out 10,000 barrels that were threaded wrong. only cost us 9,000 dollars"


and at the same time it forces customers to purchase higher end guns if they want a reciever that can be rebarrelled. Seen quite a few online videos of people who could rebarrel a threaded reciever, who themselves couldnt understand the difference between 7.62x51 and 7.62x54r

 

[HankC]

I can only afford to shoot steel case 7.62x39 or surplus 7.62x51, so there is no difference. I had half dozen SKSs at one time with wide spread of headspaces, the worst one can swallow spent casing from my better SKSs, pinned or threaded barrel is the least concern.

 

[Slamfire]

I have an 1960's era anschutz target 22. Its barrel is pressed and pinned. Its not quite apples to apples as its a 22 vs. a centerfire, but the accuracy seems to be available, at least in 22's.

Anschutz is still pressing and pinning their barrels in their competition rifles.

I also have heard that when smiths swapped barrels in those, it was VERY common practice to thread the tennon and shank.

I am aware of older shooter's had the receiver and barrels threaded, I met one shooter at the National's whose rifle was altered this way by Kenyon. Kenyon is dead and I have not found many examples, nor do I know anyone doing this. I do believe that a tighter and more stable mechanical joint than pinning is desirable for heavy use match rifles, but apparently the current system is good enough.

It would be interesting to know that the Bench rest types are doing. I saw one serious rim fire bench rest rifle and it had a version of the Rem 40X action with a threaded barrel.

 

[scythefwd]

Slam.

I've heard the AMU used to thread when they swapped barrels. Mine MAY be theaded.. its history is a bet vague... Its a late 50's, early 60's rifle. Pinning on it's barrel indicates pre 62. Was supposedly bought by my great uncle from an olympian who took bronze. He was in the AMU, and it was rebarreld before grandpa got it. THERE IS an American that took bronze in the olympics in 64 with an anschutz 54 rifle in the prone.. who was ALSO very active in service competitions (shot for a team for the Army) at the same time as my uncle. I know they BOTH were at Camp Perry in 65. Its possible they knew each other, its possible my rifle is the same action that Col. Tommy Poole took bronze with. Nothing else but the action and bolt are original though.. IF uncle Aaron had the marksmanship unit do the barrel, it very well could be threaded..

 

[gojuice101]

From an end-user perspective, I can't see much of a difference. The only barrels I've dealt with (outside of ARs) are pressed barrels on AKs and they are pretty easy.

From a manufacturing standpoint, I imagine threading barrels could be more expensive because of the extra work involved, fixtures, etc. However, I'm not really a machinist so I don't know exactly how much more involved it is. I have heard from some machinists that they prefer to avoid threading if possible because it is more difficult and easier to mess up. But that might be different on a large scale manufacturing process with high-tech machinery.

 

[DougW]

My pinned barrel SKS has been running great since the Clinton Administration. Figure it will be still going strong at the end of 44.