[taxcontrol]

I'm not trained as a gunsmith but have been trained by the US Army to handle the duties of an Infantry unit armory (mostly paperwork actually - but I digress)

Let's consider three basic types of weapons

Revolvers, Pistols and Rifles

With revolvers, it takes a bit of strength or leverage, vice grip and wrench to replace the barrel on some. Others make it difficult but not impossible.

Pistols - I'm slow and can change the barrel on a .45 in about 60 seconds.

Rifles - well depends. Some rifle barrels are as easy to change as revolver barrels. Some semi-autos require more attention due to the gas operated action that requires the gas tube to be treated with more care and sealed upon replacement.

Another related question would be "How difficult would it be to obtain or manufacture a barrel?"

A decent machinist could make most pistols and revolver barrels. I personally would have a concern that the pressure on the barrel would be rather high and would not trust such a barrel. With rifles, it's a bit more difficult, but the basic means of making the barrel are the same. The pressures within the barrel could be higher and thus would require better steel and no mistakes.

If the individual does not want to manufacture a barrel, they can be purchased from the various parts catalogs or over the Internet. I have not done so myself and do not know the legal paperwork required, though I doubt it would be extensive.

[6ppc]

Drilling and rifling a barrel requires a lot of specialized equipment. On the other hand, chambering and threading a barrel blank is fairly simple and can be done with a lathe. Some barrels require additional machining (i.e. flats, cutouts and keyways) requiring use of a milling machine.