"Easy" barrel replacement for 10/22

O

O6nop

New member
I had the impression that installing a new barrel for a Ruger 10/22 would be easy. Take the old one out, put a new one in.
I bought a heavy blued target bull barrel, .920 dia. to replace the original barrel. I had instructions from the manufacturer and resources on the Internet. My problem is I have no luck when it comes to do-it-yourself, but I keep trying as long as I feel it's not a danger to do so. This was supposed to be easy.

When I removed the old barrel, I had to twist and turn it in the receiver, of course I removed the Allen screws and hardware. It took about 15 minutes of hard work to do that. Then I cleaned the receiver good, cleaned the barrel and applied a little gun grease to the surfaces of the barrel and receiver that would mate up. I got it about 1/4" in and couldn't get any further. So after a while I tried taking it out but it won't budge. I can twist it all the way around but it's not coming out. By the way, I'm doing all this by hand, no vices or wrenches.
I guess I'll have to take it to a gunsmith anyway now. Any suggestions other than that?
 
Do you have a scope on your rifle? Many times one of the base screws is just a little too long and will tighten against the barrel. When the barrel is removed, the screw is still protruding into the barrel channel.
 
It sounds like you may have a burr on the barrel by the extractor groove.
Aluminum expands at a faster rate than steel, so heat could cause them to unlock.

For assembly, you can use the same trick by putting the barrel in the freezer and receiver in the oven. Pull them out and quickly fit them together. Just be sure you get the extractor groove clocked correctly because you won't be able to move the barrel in the receiver due to the interference fit.
 
The magic of physics!!! I tried the warming technique, put the electric stove top burner on low and held it over it about 5 minutes. I couldn't get the barrel off but I was able to get it in. If I ever need to remove it, I'll probably have to take it to my nearest gunsmith.
I'm sure the scope had nothing to do with it, the screw did not even come to the barrel opening and it was hanging up a good 1/16" before it got there. However, I did take the scope off to get a better grip on the receiver, so, you never know.

thanks for all the suggestions.
 
Good job! A tight lockup between the receiver and barrel is one thing a 10/22 builder would sell a kidney to get. Sloppy fit isn't good for accuracy.
 
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