I have a project rifle that I'm starting and the action is a large ring Turk with small ring threads. I'm looking at a surplus m38 barrel, which will fit with my action perfectly. I was hoping I could get some feedback on using these surplus barrels. They are brand new (price is very reasonable), Swedish M38 Barrels in 6.5x55, still packed in the arsenal packing and greased. I know of the quality that was legendary of the Swedish mausers, but how would they compare to an average, new barrel that could be manufactured today? I am leaning heavily towards purchasing one, just thought I would see what others thought of these barrels.
Military m38 barrels
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These m/38 barrels have become available lately, and usually run about the $100 mark. They are in the white, and are "short chambered". That is, after installing, the final reaming of the chamber is made to bring the barrel into specifications for the proper headspace. You will probably have to have available a 6.5x55 chambering reamer to finish the chamber.
While the thread pitch and diameter are the same or very close, and the Mauser action is one of the easiest actions to rebarrel, the length of the threaded portion of the barrel can be longer or shorter. A few years ago, I put one on a German WWI 98 Mauser small ring Carbine, and had to make a thin steel spacer washer to get the proper headspace, as the Swedish shank was longer than the German receiver. It worked out very well, though.
I do know of one person who installed one, but did not have access to a reamer. He reloads, so he ground down the top of the shell holder slightly, and the bottom of the reloading sizing die slightly, until he could get a resized case into the chamber. The first firing fully sized the case to fit the chamber, and he neck sizes the cases only. A bit more trimming of the case mouth, but it works for him.
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While the thread pitch and diameter are the same or very close, and the Mauser action is one of the easiest actions to rebarrel, the length of the threaded portion of the barrel can be longer or shorter. A few years ago, I put one on a German WWI 98 Mauser small ring Carbine, and had to make a thin steel spacer washer to get the proper headspace, as the Swedish shank was longer than the German receiver. It worked out very well, though.
I do know of one person who installed one, but did not have access to a reamer. He reloads, so he ground down the top of the shell holder slightly, and the bottom of the reloading sizing die slightly, until he could get a resized case into the chamber. The first firing fully sized the case to fit the chamber, and he neck sizes the cases only. A bit more trimming of the case mouth, but it works for him.
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Thanks for the welcome to this forum, a wealth of information.
I had talked with a friend who had mentioned that quite a lot of engineering had gone into the make and design of these barrels for proper harmonics and performance. Good to know about the thread length for headspacing, thanks.
I had talked with a friend who had mentioned that quite a lot of engineering had gone into the make and design of these barrels for proper harmonics and performance. Good to know about the thread length for headspacing, thanks.
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The Swedish barrels are high quality! I installed a new old stock carbine barrel on a new old stock Husky receiver and that thing shoots quarter size groups!
A set of head space guages is a must and well worth the small expense. You can always sell them when you're done.
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I'm looking at a surplus m38 barrel, which will fit with my action perfectly. I was hoping I could get some feedback on using these surplus barrels. They are brand new (price is very reasonable), Swedish M38 Barrels in 6.5x55, still packed in the arsenal packing and greased.
Can you provide a link to the supplier please? I'm interested in refurbishing one also.
Thanks!
J.
Can you provide a link to the supplier please? I'm interested in refurbishing one also.
Thanks!
J.
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10,053 Posts
These barrels are in Canada & cannot be imported into the USA . So , it depends where you live .
I have one NOS M38 barrel left from KEBCOLLC in the USA , about 10 years ago . It was white metal in the factory grease . I cleaned it up & had a Dulite black oxide finish put on it . Never got around to using it . My price is $125 plus Priority Mail Shipping .
New Lothar-Walther M96 barrels are $248 for a comparrison .
I have one NOS M38 barrel left from KEBCOLLC in the USA , about 10 years ago . It was white metal in the factory grease . I cleaned it up & had a Dulite black oxide finish put on it . Never got around to using it . My price is $125 plus Priority Mail Shipping .
New Lothar-Walther M96 barrels are $248 for a comparrison .
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Well, I'm in the U.S, so I'll have to keep looking....
Thanks!
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Really can't argue with swede's price. You would be hard pressed to find a better deal on a new barrel. I just saw a used m/96 barrel go for more on GB.
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Interesting. I can understand firearms and\or receivers not being able to be imported but wasn't aware of individual parts. Is this a Canadian law or US?
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I hear that. No shortage of geniuses at the gov't level. After all, the politicians brought us the famous "shoulder thing that goes up" line.
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