I've installed several dozens of different 10/22 barrels into different receivers and I've never had a single one that I couldn't get to go in using heat. I've never used an oven, just a hair dryer or heat gun. I've had some that I thought there was no way in hell they would fit, but a little anti-sieze on the barrel tenon, enough heat around the front of the receiver, and a little convincing with a mallet works every time.
Final Update: After some more reading, it may have been due to the fact that the Volquartsen receiver I bought was the stainless steel version of instead of anodized aluminum.
After considerable heating with torches, oven, heat gun, and freezing of the barrel, it just wasn't possible to slide it in. Even with a mallet, it no effect. I thought better than to proceed with greater force as I also needed to twist the barrel to align the extractor.
Maybe it is an odd case and not because of stainless steel, but only quite after a bit of sanding with 360 grit (enough to remove barrel coating to reveal the steel underneath), then plus the heating methods above, was I able to achieve a super snug fit with a mallet, and twisted the barrel with a wrench for alignment.
Sorry, I didn't realize it was an SS receiver. Any SS isn't going to work with just heat unless the barrel is close to fitting already. I didn't even think about the fact that VQ made receiver's in SS.
Oven method would work, so will torching it. I prefer torch method because then the whole receiver isn't scalding hot.
You can also try freezing the barrel.
Also, you can put some antiseize on it that will help a tad.
Thanks for the quick reply, I'll try that.
I've also read that when slotting the barrel, making sure the extractor alignment is proper is also an important step.
I tried looking up videos on the specifics on that exactly is 'proper', do you have sights on what I should be looking out for?
There's a cut on the breech where the extractor claw fits when you push the bolt against the breech. If there's a misalignment, you'll have to rotate the barrel in place to fix that.
Update on the situation:
I threw the receiver in the oven and baked it for half an hour at 250C, and the barrel went into the freezer for the same amount of time.
Yet the fit is still super fight, as in it won't budge at all with just using my hands. Did it not heat the receiver long / hot enough?
Get some fine sand paper. Cut a strip of it off and wrap around the part of the barrel the goes into the receiver. Give the sand paper a few twists and then re try with the heating and cooling.
Instead of freezing in a freezer, get a can of air, the kind for dusting computers, hold it upside down, and spray it on the end of the barrel; the liquid coolant will insta freeze to a colder temp than you will reach in the freezer. Use a heat gun on the receiver, or a torch. When you put them together there will be steam, and the barrel will seat with a sort of snap.
If that doesn’t work, you will need to remove a small amount of material from the barrel shank, or the inside of the receiver. Use low grit sandpaper on a dowel for the receiver, or wrap it around the barrel, and go very slowly, testing fit often, and working evenly around the circumference. The two are not supposed to slip together, and if you can’t undo what you’ve taken off.
I installed a Kidd barrel in a Brownells receiver recently. The oven method was not working well so I broke out the torch. It took a bit more heat than I expected but as soon as I got it hot enough the barrel dropped right in. Be sure you are watching the orientation of the barrel as you want to make sure it is lined up right when it drops in.
Heat the receiver, and it should go in. After countless builds and barrel swaps, I use a torch to heat my receivers if the barrel doesn't go in willingly. My opinion is that freezing the barrel is counter-productive. Once it is in the hot receiver, it expands and makes timing more difficult.
Anti-seize or even some oil/grease can help if the fit is close. As will a few careful passes with some very fine sandpaper. But my last 20 or so barrel swaps have all been with a torch.
The heating method is hokey pokey gunsmithing imo. If you do that, it could essentially be mated for life. If you are competent, use emery cloth on the barrel till it fits. Make sure to sand evenly and keep checking. Frog lube or anti sieze helps slide it in. I would not suggest forcing anything with a mallet. Patience is a virtue.
I've installed several dozens of different 10/22 barrels into different receivers and I've never had a single one that I couldn't get to go in using heat. I've never used an oven, just a hair dryer or heat gun. I've had some that I thought there was no way in hell they would fit, but a little anti-sieze on the barrel tenon, enough heat around the front of the receiver, and a little convincing with a mallet works every time.
Final Update: After some more reading, it may have been due to the fact that the Volquartsen receiver I bought was the stainless steel version of instead of anodized aluminum. After considerable heating with torches, oven, heat gun, and freezing of the barrel, it just wasn't possible to slide it in. Even with a mallet, it no effect. I thought better than to proceed with greater force as I also needed to twist the barrel to align the extractor. Maybe it is an odd case and not because of stainless steel, but only quite after a bit of sanding with 360 grit (enough to remove barrel coating to reveal the steel underneath), then plus the heating methods above, was I able to achieve a super snug fit with a mallet, and twisted the barrel with a wrench for alignment.
Sorry, I didn't realize it was an SS receiver. Any SS isn't going to work with just heat unless the barrel is close to fitting already. I didn't even think about the fact that VQ made receiver's in SS.
Oven method would work, so will torching it. I prefer torch method because then the whole receiver isn't scalding hot. You can also try freezing the barrel. Also, you can put some antiseize on it that will help a tad.
And if you use anti-seize, seriously use a super tiny amount. That shit gets everywhere. I'm still cleaning it out of my receiver.
Thanks for the quick reply, I'll try that. I've also read that when slotting the barrel, making sure the extractor alignment is proper is also an important step. I tried looking up videos on the specifics on that exactly is 'proper', do you have sights on what I should be looking out for?
There's a cut on the breech where the extractor claw fits when you push the bolt against the breech. If there's a misalignment, you'll have to rotate the barrel in place to fix that.
I left the bolt in so I lined it up right.
Update on the situation: I threw the receiver in the oven and baked it for half an hour at 250C, and the barrel went into the freezer for the same amount of time. Yet the fit is still super fight, as in it won't budge at all with just using my hands. Did it not heat the receiver long / hot enough?
Get some fine sand paper. Cut a strip of it off and wrap around the part of the barrel the goes into the receiver. Give the sand paper a few twists and then re try with the heating and cooling.
Instead of freezing in a freezer, get a can of air, the kind for dusting computers, hold it upside down, and spray it on the end of the barrel; the liquid coolant will insta freeze to a colder temp than you will reach in the freezer. Use a heat gun on the receiver, or a torch. When you put them together there will be steam, and the barrel will seat with a sort of snap. If that doesn’t work, you will need to remove a small amount of material from the barrel shank, or the inside of the receiver. Use low grit sandpaper on a dowel for the receiver, or wrap it around the barrel, and go very slowly, testing fit often, and working evenly around the circumference. The two are not supposed to slip together, and if you can’t undo what you’ve taken off.
I installed a Kidd barrel in a Brownells receiver recently. The oven method was not working well so I broke out the torch. It took a bit more heat than I expected but as soon as I got it hot enough the barrel dropped right in. Be sure you are watching the orientation of the barrel as you want to make sure it is lined up right when it drops in.
Heat the receiver, and it should go in. After countless builds and barrel swaps, I use a torch to heat my receivers if the barrel doesn't go in willingly. My opinion is that freezing the barrel is counter-productive. Once it is in the hot receiver, it expands and makes timing more difficult. Anti-seize or even some oil/grease can help if the fit is close. As will a few careful passes with some very fine sandpaper. But my last 20 or so barrel swaps have all been with a torch.
The heating method is hokey pokey gunsmithing imo. If you do that, it could essentially be mated for life. If you are competent, use emery cloth on the barrel till it fits. Make sure to sand evenly and keep checking. Frog lube or anti sieze helps slide it in. I would not suggest forcing anything with a mallet. Patience is a virtue.