Bull barrel and cone comps

[FF112173]

Can a bull barrel be turned down to accept a cone compensator? 

[mwray]

Ofcourse

[kneelingatlas]

Why not just start with a bushing barrel?  I'll sell you one if you're looking.

[caspian guy]

Sure, it's just metal.  If you have a decent lathe it wouldn't be a big deal.   However by the time the gunsmith got done the time spent might make it not be cost effective.

[zzt]

Some bushing barrels cannot be used with a cone.  You may as well have the gunsmith cut the bull (edit) barrel, because he will also have to thread the front 2+" for the cone.  He can do it all with one setup.  If you are planning an Open gun, just cut the slide back and thread the 5" bull barrel.  That's exactly what Atlas and others are doing to make a mid-length gun.  Way less expensive.

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by zzt

[FF112173]

Cool, thanks for the advice. 

[ACree]

As stated above, it will likely cost you more that just having a new comped barrel installed. You also run the risk of unforeseen problems popping up with the locking end of the barrel. If the initial turning of the barrel is not concentric, the threading  not concentric,the internal threading of the comp not concentric.... those compounding errors could cause the barrel to sit in a slightly different position thus ruining what was hopefully a well fit barrel, slide, and slide stop. I think you would be time and money, and less headache, ahead to just have a new barrel installed.

[zzt]

All of those possible 'problems' are just as likely whether or no the barrel is new.  Just send it to someone competent.

[ACree]

ZZT, the difference being that the new barrel will have an uncut lug and hood. So any of the errors created in the threading and attaching of the comp can still be worked out and provide for a well fit barrel. Errors introduced on the comp end cannot easily be corrected on an already cut and fit barrel. 

[zzt]

Not really A.  If you mess up the comp threading (very, very hard to do if you know what you are doing) you ruin the barrel.  You really cannot adjust it by fiddling with the lower lugs or the comp.

[ACree]

A poor job done on either scenario results in a junk barrel. However, one way gives the gunsmith the ability to have the complete barrel to properly install. I know of no gunsmith who waited to install a cone or a coned comp until after the barrel lug and hood were fit.  Its not a matter of fiddling around, it is a matter of being able to better control the variables. To each his own, but I would rather install the barrel after the coned comped was attached and not after the lug and hood fitting.