Posted on 11/16/2017 5:11:33 AM PST by w1n1
In the world of gun innovation almost anything is possible. For instances, this Youtuber made a barrel out of a rebar. He constructed the barrel to fit a .22. Heres the excerpt of his process:
The barrel is made from ~1″ rebar about 18 inches long that I got at the local scrap yard. First I center-drilled the end and went about 3″ in with a standard-length 5/16 drill bit.
Then I deep-drilled it about 10 using a Dewalt branded installer bit from the local home center. I expected this bit to burn out pretty quickly through so much solid steel but it actually performed very well and is still sharp. Good for Dewalt for choosing a high quality OEM.
After the bar was drilled through, I ground off a few of the ribs and milled a nice flat. A chunk of steel was then measured and cut to fit into the hinge of the gun.
These two parts were TIG welded together and the barrel liner was chambered and epoxied in place. It was then tested with a 22 short with bullet pulled. You can see the rest of the rebar barrel gun video here.
Heavy.....
lol... Wouldn’t drop the hammer on that while holding it. Barrel from car axle yes, re-bar no frick’in way.
I want to imply this is emblematic of the greatness of American ingenuity, but frankly, they do this in Pakistan on an industrial level, and frankly, Pakis suck.
I have seen a tribal rifle from there and the workmanship was very good. It was labeled “Rennington”...lol.
“””These two parts were TIG welded together and the barrel liner was chambered and epoxied in place. “””
So, the actual barrel is not rebar. The rebar is just decoration.
All the rebar does is hold the rifled barrel liner in place. Sort of like the custom barrels for the Ruger 10/22 that have a thin-walled barrel free-floated in the center of a larger diameter outer tube made of light aluminum or carbon fiber. As long as he got the headspace within spec, it should be safe enough.
He never explains how he managed to drill through a 18 inch long bar with a 10 inch deep hole. If he drilled from each end, there is no way the holes would meet properly in the middle, if they met at all. He also expressed surprise that he could drill a hole in dead soft rebar with a new hardware store quality hardened drill bit.
I wouldn't trust using a paperweight, if it were made by this guy, much less a gun barrel.
You can use it as a dumbbell when not using it as a rifle.
I readonce that in the 50’s they used to make zip gun barrels from coffee percolator stems. I think they used .22 shorts.
Might be better as a club than a rifle
Most .22 rifle barrels are of mild steel. It is plenty strong for the purpose.
I would have no problem firing this rifle. The rebar is way overbuilt for the purpose.
Lots of .22 liners are used in aluminum barrels. No problem.
Should see some of the videos of the guns that are made from the scrape metal from the ship breakers of Sub-Asia.
My question is why? You can buy a tactical ruger 10-22 from an individual for $235. A great gun. I have a 10-22. He can have the rebar gun.
He never explains how he managed to drill through a 18 inch long bar with a 10 inch deep hole. If he drilled from each end, there is no way the holes would meet properly in the middle, if they met at all. He also expressed surprise that he could drill a hole in dead soft rebar with a new hardware store quality hardened drill bit.
Worked fine, especially with a barrel liner. I bet you could put sights on it and get acceptable accuracy for hunting.
Does raise the question: how to make serious-caliber rifle barrels in one’s garage?
My grandad mentioned when he was a kid living in Queens, NYC, the gangs made zip guns using car antenna’s and .22 shorts.
The kid has the right equipment to do the job. If I tried something of this nature, I’d be out in the garage with a 3/8” variable speed Dewalt hand-held drill (using the same bits as the youtuber).
If I had this kid’s equipment, I’d be buying 80% completed AR lowers, and turning out some spiffy semi-auto “assault weapons”.
I readonce that in the 50s they used to make zip gun barrels from coffee percolator stems. I think they used .22 shorts.
I saw one that had been confiscated made from a section of telescoping car antenna. It had powder residue in it so it had held at least once.
Some years ago my brother was stationed in Turkey and picked up a ratty old cap 'n ball revolver made by "Saml Coult".
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