Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns > Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Dedicated to the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-03-2011, 03:54 PM
mw1858 mw1858 is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Barrel Shortening???

Hi, New member here but have had my 15-22 for over a year now and am looking for ways to make it better, I am thinking of shortening the barrel. I know there are legal implications in certain places but here in the UK I can shorten the barrel to 12 inches without any problems so long as the overall length remains at least 24 inches which it should. Has anyone done this and would it have any detrimental effect on accuracy or other functions. If I decide to go ahead I will get this done by a professional gunsmith.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-03-2011, 04:59 PM
RGERBER875 RGERBER875 is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Use Crisco oil - it's a shortening
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-03-2011, 05:02 PM
stickbug1's Avatar
stickbug1 stickbug1 is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts
Default

First lets start with a disclaimer...I am not and do not claim to be an expert!

Yes it will have an effect. There will be a change in the amount of time that the round has in the barrel. Which will alter the chamber pressure and the mechanical force pushing against the bolt to cycle the action. The M&P 15-22P (Pistol) with the 6" barrel has a different bolt spring to accommodate for this variation. If you custom the barrel to 12" you will need somewhere between the rifle and pistol spring. I would venture to guess that either will work, but you would have to do some trial and error to see which one works better. Giving you the most reliable operation.

As for accuracy yes it will have some detrimental effect. Same thing as above, less time for the projectile in the barrel means less muzzle velocity.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-03-2011, 06:14 PM
Argonnakid's Avatar
Argonnakid Argonnakid is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Virginia Beach,VA
Posts: 460
Likes: 85
Liked 126 Times in 92 Posts
Default

don't think you will be happy with final product, there is a prime barrel length for all calibers, pressures, rifling twist rate, projectile weight, even the taper of the barrel( think bull barrels on target rifles). I would have to say with some certainly that S&W thought all those things out when they designed the barrel for the 15-22
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-03-2011, 11:09 PM
spleify's Avatar
spleify spleify is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Argonnakid View Post
don't think you will be happy with final product, there is a prime barrel length for all calibers, pressures, rifling twist rate, projectile weight, even the taper of the barrel( think bull barrels on target rifles). I would have to say with some certainly that S&W thought all those things out when they designed the barrel for the 15-22
All very very valid points, but the BIGGEST reason for making it a 16" barrel, is because 16" is the shortest LEGAL length you can run a rifle barrel in most US states, with out a tax stamp.

To the OP, I say chop it, you aint gonna hurt anything. Post some pics when you are done.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Paracordwraps
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-04-2011, 06:17 AM
BELT_FED's Avatar
BELT_FED BELT_FED is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 3
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
Default

Well said if that's the look you want and its legal there then by all means do it.. there is very little velocity drop from 16 to 12 with our twist rate and our barrels. We done some testing on a rimfire barrel using fed bulk ammo which is rated at 1280 or so and had to chop till 5.5" to make it keep those rds sub sonic. Remember class IIs can do this legally so do not try at home. So chop it recrown it and if need be don't run sub ammo threw it or buy a new sping or weaken the one that's on it
__________________
07/SOT2
NRA Instructor
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-04-2011, 12:43 PM
MPLUSM's Avatar
MPLUSM MPLUSM is offline
Member
Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening??? Barrel Shortening???  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ALASKA
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RGERBER875 View Post
Use Crisco oil - it's a shortening
Ha ha ha! I thought the same thing for a second, then I saw this post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
chamber pressure, gunsmith, rimfire

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
S&W Mod. 29 barrel shortening? Flattop5 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 13 04-12-2018 12:26 PM
Barrel shortening... Federalis S&W-Smithing 12 05-30-2015 12:11 AM
M&P 15 Barrel Shortening Jamers99 Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles 19 10-11-2014 09:56 AM
Shortening the barrel on a 15-22 ??? TJ... Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 11 08-06-2010 07:17 PM
Shortening a Barrel ENGINE18 S&W-Smithing 16 04-14-2010 12:27 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:30 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)