Barrel straightening

[ezman604]

Okay, gonna revisit an old topic. Yes, I did a search of the forums and read several posts about it. I see there USE to be some instructions on Bob's and Gene's sites but the links I followed are now dead. Or it could just be me and my pooter. LOL
Anyway, I've finally ran across an AG with a bent barrel, I'm almost positive. Using irons,I have windage cranked as far left as possible and she is just getting on paper at 25 yards. Please post your tips, tricks and techniques to straighten a barrel. I have a vice, rubber mallet, all sorts of clamps and tons of hand tools. No heavy machinery or hydraulic driven toys. This is the barrel on my brothers new Crosman Storm so there's no big deal. It's bent already and we can always return it to Wally World for exchange. That is, if I make it worse. LOL
Thanks ahead of time folks.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave

[Bentong]

I have straighten 3 air rifle barrels so far and and used a 3x4  about 3' and sand witched the breech block  top and bottom with 2 pieces of a 3x4 blocks and just yanked the tip of the barrel to where I want it to go 2 are to remove droops and the other slap where it's pointing up and all came out becoming excellent shooters. I do it in small increment and work from there to get the desired result. You mentioned you got a vice and you can use that just have a piece of leather or rubber to protect your metal.

[Gene_SC]

Dave here is a link from the GTA Library...  It works for me.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/library/Charlies%20Barrel%20Tool.pdf

[ezman604]

Thanks Gene.
Tried at work and guess it WAS my pooter. Didn't get page to display. Will print this one but don't want to build anything yet, unless I run into several bent tubes. For one, I just need a quick backyard fix. The two chairs and a slab of wood as a striker sounds like it's worth trying first. :)
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

NEVER,,,, & I mean NEVER would I resort to "Striking" a brl. :0  No control whatsoever. A simple jig can be built that will allow moderate preasure to be applied a LITTLE at a time. Unless your talking about common droop issues or an upwards bent brl from "Slap",,, "Bent Brls." are pretty RARE indeed. Just my 2 cents,,, Tim.

[SDale]

If you wanna bend Steel, it's best to do it in small incriments then release the pressure and start again. Checking the whole time. Kinda like bouncing it into shape. While it's under tension, give it a few light taps with a brass (or otherwise soft metal) hammer to try and relieve any stress in it.

[ezman604]

Okay, never tried this but say I decide to build a Charlie jig. I have the tools and ability. But, since I've never attempted this, do you recommend stripping the barrel down to just the actual pipe? Remove breach, sights, muzzle break and such? I'm guessing the barrelsfor the most part have set screws holding them to the breach block? Or are most just screwed in? Don't want to screw up a barrel any worse than it already is. :)
Thanks!!!
Dave

[Bentong]

Most barrels have problem where they connect to the breech block so leave it minus rear sight if it's on when you try to bend it in small increment.

[RedFeather]

If you haven't put a lot of mods into the gun ($$$ or labor), I suspect it would be easier in the long run to simply exchange it. Consider that if you over-do it and visibly damage the barrel/breech it may not be exchangeable. Is your front sight aligned with the bore? Could also be that the sight is sitting too far off a verticle axis with the bore. Not unheard of with slip-on style sights. You would then be bending the barrel to adjust for an offset sight. Anyway, lots of work (building a jig, etc).

[ezman604]

True...and I advised my brother to do just that as an option. I do believe the barrel is tweaked since the irons are cranked max left and the scope also. I was able to get it scoped in at 25 yards. I don't think he will be using it too much under or over that range but advised him to try it out as soon as possible to see if the tweaked barrel will cause an issue at different ranges. If so, he needs to swap it. He said the only other Crosman in that store was an open box he felt was a return from someone else. :)
Thanks for the advice.
Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave

[RedFeather]

Unless he had a super deal, go for the refund. Dollars bills spend just as well be they hot off the press or crumpled/wrinkled/right out of the G-string, baby!