New Vang Comp Barrels, Bang or Bust?

V

Vang Comper

Moderator
Not sure if any of you have been to Vang Comps website lately, but they have a new vang comp barrel offered. IT is a custom Bar-sto barrel machined from one solid piece of bar stock plus treated for heat and all that crap. They claim the custom barrel improves accuracy, groups, and everything else. Do you think this barrel is all as great as claimed or is it just a marketing hype? Here is the description of the new barrel from http://vangcomp.com

"BAR-STO / VANG COMP SYSTEMS
Shotgun Barrels & Accessories


Introducing the new BAR-STO / VANG COMP shotgun barrels. BAR-STO will manufacture the shotgun barrels to the same exacting standards that make their pistol barrels famous. The material is 416 Stainless heat-treated 38 to 40 RC. The barrel will be machined out of one solid piece. The Locator Lug will be professionally installed by a brazing process. The barrels will be coated with a proprietary hard coating that will give it an extremely high wear-ability. They will also be heavier for added strength and durability. The VANG COMP SYSTEMS internal dimensions and our patented porting system will be used. This will provide unheard of accuracy, durability, and consistency for the shot-gunning systems. This will also provide a Self-defense and Law Enforcement Shot-gunner the ultimate in accuracy from all types of buckshot and slugs. We hope to have the barrels ready for sale in Mid-March. We will also be offering a few options for the competitor, so keep a close eye on the VANG COMP SYSTEMS and BAR-STO web sites. This is only the beginning. The shot-gunning arena will never be the same! Orders are now being taken for this barrel, so call BAR-STO Precision Machine at (760)367-2447. You can email an order by going to www.barsto.com.
Winchester 1300, Mossberg 590, 590A-1, and Remington 1187 owners, contact BAR-STO Precision at (760)367-2447 to purchase your barrels."
 
It's probably a good bbl. Vang customers seem an uncomplaining lot.

IMO, it'll take a really finicky, "Expert" user to see any difference, if then. Call is a nice to have, but not an essential.

And if I was going to get an aftermarket bbl for mucho dinero, I'd call Stan Baker.
 
I wonder...

I wonder how much of a difference it will be for the price, they make it out like it's the best thing since sliced bread. Myself and others who bought Vang Comp barrels before they turned "special edition" hope that it is not that big of a deal, otherwise we will have missed out on something great.
 
Vang Comper:

You seem to have a problem with the concept. Why are you already bitching about something that isn't even on the market yet? No one on this forum has seen one or fired one. How is anyone supposed to have an honest opinion? To tell the truth, your comments sound like sour grapes and I don't understand why?

There are always people who want the best and are willing to pay for it. Personally, I don't see a problem with that. There are a lot of people who are more then willing to pay for a custom heavy weight barrel for their shotgun. The barrel often costs as much as the shotgun. So what? It's their money. Why knock it?

Both Bar-Sto and Vang Comp have excellent reps. Do you think they are out to screw someone?

I just re-read your last post............

Ah, I think I see the problem. You bought a Vang Comped barrel and are worried that something better has been developed.

Look, that's just a fact of life. Automobile companies build a new car every year that is "better" then the year before. Does that mean that the people who bought last years model got screwed?
 
Ok..... ease up everyone.


I have a 590VC. I love it and think it would be hard to improve on. Personally, depending on the price (cuz even though I looked at the site - it did not bother to even see if it has been priced) I doubt that the marginal difference in accuracy / durability is going to be worth the marginal cost.

Although who knows, my which shoots clover leaves at 50 yrds may shoot clover leaves at 100 yrd and one hole at 50. Still - is that worth the extra $ - not to me.


Good luck to all.
 
Mo_Zam_Beek:

You are absolutely right. Maybe I was a bit harsh in my response to Vang Comper. It took me a while to understand where he was coming from.

You have to understand that there is a whole world of shotgun shooting that doesn't seem to be addressed on this forum. There are turkey shooters and card shooters that are more then willing to buy a barrel that will shoot the tightest pattern possible. I talked to one of these guys who pays upwards of $150 for a custom made choke tube. He's looking for nirvana. He is a competition shooter and is willing to pay for that "edge".

If the average Vang Comped barrel will shoot a 10 to 12 inch pattern at 25 yards there are a lot of guys who will pay for a barrel that will shoot 6 inchs or smaller. Most of the guys on this forum do not want that kind of performance and wouldn't be willing to pay for it anyway. There's nothing wrong with that.

"One man's meat is a vegetarian's nightmare".
 
On occasion a standard Vang Comped 870 barrel will out perform the average by a wide margin. I have seen reports from Gunsite where one student in a class has a Vang Comped barrel that will consistantly shoot 6" or smaller patterns at 25 yards. These "wonder" barrels have been miked and examined very closely and there does not seem to be any measurable difference from an average performing barrel.

We all know that sometimes a factory rifle barrel will roll off the line that is a "hummer". Custom barrel makers can usually gurantee the performance of their barrels within reason. That's the idea behind the Bar-Sto barrels. They will be tested and guaranteed to perform within certain standards, for a price. Testing and ammo cost time and money.
 
Everyone talks about patterns at 25 yards, but the fact is almost anything will pattern well at that range. The true metal of buckshot is not tested until you go out to the 35-40 yard line. I have heard of barrels that get 10" patterns with 3 1/2" buckshot shells at 40 yards!! Anyone know how well Vanged barrels preform at 35-40 yard line?
 
I have to disagree with you on that one. Most shotgun barrels will not perform well at 25 yards. The rule of thumb is 1 inch of spread per yard out of a cyl. bore barrel and maybe a bit better out of an imp. cyl. choke.

The real problem is the "donut effect". At ranges exceeding 15 yards, the shot pattern tends to spread with a large hole in the middle.

How do Vang Comped barrels perform at 50 yards? Very well from what I've seen. Three years ago I took a 20" rifle sighted barrel to Canada for a Banff park warden to try. I was on vacation and was going there anyway. To make a long story short, his stock barrel put 3 pellets on an 18X24 sheet of paper at 50 meters. The Vang Comped barrel put all 9 on the paper with 7 in the kill zone. He bought the barrel. By the way, this was with Federal Classic 00, not any of the new tactical buckshot.

I have seen reports of much better performance with Federal Tactical and Hornady TAP ammo.
 
Hello Everyone..

I'm an official product tester for Hans.

I've killled a coyote at 80 yards with one of his 11-87's and 000-fed-lites.

1. The new Bar-sto barrel will bring Vangcomp prices down.

2. Availability will increase.

3. An integrated weaver base on the top of the barrel will be an option.

4. You'll see barrels in Stainless.

All fine improvements to a proven system.

BTW, that same 11-87 could make three slugs clover leaf at 75yrds.
 
I am a little unhappy with my Vang Comped 14 inch 870. When I was in the Academy I saw ones that paterend 8 to 10 inches at 25 yards. I get around to buying one and it usually throws a pellet at 25 yards. I am considering calling Vang up. I don't care as much as I used to as the Chief now lets us use Car 15's which is a better weapon for all but breaching doors and launching less lethal loads. But I still which my shotgun performed as well as it should. I would also like a 14 inch rifle barrel for slug use only for bear protection.
PAT
 
I'd say you barrel is dirty, but if it is not and your ammo is perfect, you could always try another barrel or have yours re-roughed up inside. I seen this problem and was able to cure it with a stainless 10ga brush attached to an electric drill.
 
355, does it do that with ALL buck, or just one kind you had on hand?

Bbl/load incompatibility is not unknown.
 
355, does it do that with ALL buck, or just one kind you had on hand?

Bbl/load incompatibility is not unknown.
 
Dave McC



It does it with Federal tactical buck and Remington reduced power buckshot. I can only use loads that the department issues on duty.
PAT
 
I have always found it interesting that people are willing to complain about something to the people who can't do them any good.

355sigfan:

You are not the only one to do that, but why don't you contact Hans Vang about your problem instead of bitching about it here?:confused:
 
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