A fix is in for the S&W AR-10 barrels

[bergermeister]

So, you don’t have to ‘junk’ it just because the barrel failed. A fix is in for the S&W AR-10 barrels that they won’t fix and will not sell. Contact Black Hole Weaponry in Oregon. It seems the S&W priority barrel extension IS removable and can be reinstalled on a BHW barrel of your choice.
I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER

 

[Iheart2fart]

Can you use any dpms barrel

 

[bergermeister]

We'll see..

Can you use any dpms barrel

It 'appears' a DPMS pattern bolt will fit in a DPMS barrel, when installed in a S&W MP-10 upper receiver. They have a customer's MP-10 that the S&W barrel shroud was removed from. That operation allows for the S&W bolt and carrier to be used on their barrels. The S&W gas tube is priority and is slightly longer, meaning the S&W tube has to be used in this instance.

As soon as BHW can get hold of a S&W MP-10 lower receiver, they will proof-fire their (DPMS-pattern) barrel/extension installed in a S&W upper receiver with a DPMS bolt/carrier to confirm it will function properly. This lash-up will use any standard DPMS gas tube.

This really interests me as I have had an eye on the BHW polygonal rifled barrels. The first option would be a 'fix' for those who have to have a barrel but do not want to spend any more than necessary to repair it. The second option, which appeals more to me, would allow for tightening-up the upper receiver/barrel shroud clearance along with getting back on track for standardized DPMS-length gas tubes. The MP-10 I have worked with has 1 1/2- 2 thousandths rattle room, and the BAT extensions BHW uses on their barrels should correct this issue also.

Again, I have no affiliation with BHW, just curiously 'nosing' around.
Hopes this helps, have a great day

 

[Iheart2fart]

This is what he told me

 

[copemech]

That is good news that at least someone may be putting forth effort on this issue, as it seems S&W are not.

I am no expert, but I kinda know what needs to happen here. As far as re- using the stock barrel extension and bolt, you will need to turn a new blank because of thread indexing. Once all that end and chamber are set, that will dictate distance and indexing of gas port.

As far as a direct interchange of DPMS pattern barrel and bolt used in a Smith bolt carrier and fitted to Smith upper, ????
I have heard reports that go both ways but know no specifics.

Nevertheless, they may just be the right guys for the job as they are already set up for it, do custom work.

I hope we get some good reports back soon.

 

[bergermeister]

That is good news that at least someone may be putting forth effort on this issue, as it seems S&W are not.

I am no expert, but I kinda know what needs to happen here. As far as re- using the stock barrel extension and bolt, you will need to turn a new blank because of thread indexing. Once all that end and chamber are set, that will dictate distance and indexing of gas port.

As far as a direct interchange of DPMS pattern barrel and bolt used in a Smith bolt carrier and fitted to Smith upper, ????
I have heard reports that go both ways but know no specifics.

Nevertheless, they may just be the right guys for the job as they are already set up for it, do custom work.

I hope we get some good reports back soon.

It was my understanding that BHW uses CNC machines. That should allow for precise renditions.

 

[Drag]

Excellent, EXCELLENT news!!!

Sounds promising for those of us who like the format but desire a heavier stainless (precision) barrel.

 

[davkenrem]

Maybe someone who knows machining can explain this to me. Why can't someone reverse engineer the S&W Recievier Extention? Then there would be no need to try an remove the exsiting RE and reuse it then any barrel maker could produce M&P barrels.

 

[bergermeister]

Maybe someone who knows machining can explain this to me. Why can't someone reverse engineer the S&W Recievier Extention? Then there would be no need to try an remove the exsiting RE and reuse it then any barrel maker could produce M&P barrels.

BAT machine in Rathdrum, ID is a big provider of (precision) extensions, and provides them for BHW. There is a question that maybe S&W's extension might be patented (?!). If not, it would take a fairly large number of 'clients' for BHW to spring for the cost of a custom run. I was left with the feeling that possibly that might happen if enough people voiced their interest to them (BHW). I'd buy one just for the hell of it

 

[bergermeister]

WELL...LOOKIE HERE:

Horror Story: M&P 10 and S&W Customer Service - Page 3 - AR15.COM

Maybe someone is going to "own" their problem

 

[copemech]

Yea, well I took a look on that little press release posted on AR15.com. Well all I can say is I'll believe it when I see it.

I see this like a headlight on a freight train coming down the tunnel.

"Yes we will fix it. The cost will be $900 for the repair because we will have to replace the entire upper due to liability reasons on parts that may have been overstressed."

Oh, and I did still see a clause in there that they will not work on anything that has been modified, so I would guess that pretty well takes care of all us that have installed a Low Pro gas block and free float, not to mention triggers and other stuff.

Potentially, they could balk on anything here, up to and including they must restore to factory configuration.

Time will tell!

 

[davkenrem]

BAT machine in Rathdrum, ID is a big provider of (precision) extensions, and provides them for BHW. There is a question that maybe S&W's extension might be patented (?!). If not, it would take a fairly large number of 'clients' for BHW to spring for the cost of a custom run. I was left with the feeling that possibly that might happen if enough people voiced their interest to them (BHW). I'd buy one just for the hell of it

Count me in on an extension.

 

[sgtsandman]

It's nice to have options but I hope I never need it.

If they are going to void the warranty for installing a different gas block, free floating the barrel, installing another charging handle, or putting a different muzzle device on, I may have to rethink my future purchasing options. I'll wait and see how things play out before I make any kind of a final decision on that.

 

[bergermeister]

Latest Update on barrel replacement 021115

It's nice to have options but I hope I never need it.

If they are going to void the warranty for installing a different gas block, free floating the barrel, installing another charging handle, or putting a different muzzle device on, I may have to rethink my future purchasing options. I'll wait and see how things play out before I make any kind of a final decision on that.

Yesterday, I spoke with Jay at BHW Black Hole Weaponry and find that they just received a second customer's barrel, which was split wide open. I believe it belongs to a previous poster here- wish he would chime in and keep us updated!
Bottom line is that S&W extensions have the index pin only installed into the extension and not through into the barrel. Meaning; The extension can be torqued off the S&W barrel, allowing for the replacement barrel to be fitted to it. Apparently, so far at least, the factory thread-job on the original components has been clean.
So relax, if your factory barrel blows out You just get a shot of adrenaline and CAN have it replaced with another barrel of your choice.
There is a possibility that BHW may be able to have BAT Machine supply them with S&W pattern extensions that they could market (depending on S&W patents- if any??). Be nice to be able to have a custom barrel to install with the ability to put the factory pipe back onto your MP-10 when it becomes time to sell it- EH?

 

[prairie]

I'm waiting for other calibers from S&W, but I think that is a dream.
Hope that BHW offers S&W pattern barrel extensions, or better yet barrels with extensions. I'm voting for .338 Federal.

 

[copemech]

Yesterday, I spoke with Jay at BHW Black Hole Weaponry and find that they just received a second customer's barrel, which was split wide open. I believe it belongs to a previous poster here- wish he would chime in and keep us updated!
Bottom line is that S&W extensions have the index pin only installed into the extension and not through into the barrel. Meaning; The extension can be torqued off the S&W barrel, allowing for the replacement barrel to be fitted to it. Apparently, so far at least, the factory thread-job on the original components has been clean.
So relax, if your factory barrel blows out You just get a shot of adrenaline and CAN have it replaced with another barrel of your choice.
There is a possibility that BHW may be able to have BAT Machine supply them with S&W pattern extensions that they could market (depending on S&W patents- if any??). Be nice to be able to have a custom barrel to install with the ability to put the factory pipe back onto your MP-10 when it becomes time to sell it- EH?

Not sure about the comment about the pin not extending into the barrel, but I have been told by others that these pins in general are really soft ant they will simply shear on removal.

Hopefully they may get a barrel extension of their own to use, but if not, I may yet still let them do me one using my old one if I cannot soon find a round that will shoot straight. I have picked up a few more options to try first.

Seems BHW uses some odd rifling that I have not seen before. There are no grooves per-se. Yet they claim it as an accuracy barrel. Lots of custom options there too.

If they get an extension without me having to ruin my factory barrel I will buy one just to have a different option to switch out. How about a 20" rifle length gas in stainless! O'yea!

 

[sgtsandman]

I've heard of polygonal rifling. It's supposed to be more durable and less prone to fouling.

Here is what Bearing Arms has to say on it: Bearing ArmsBarrels and Bullets: Conventional Versus Polygonal Rifling - Bearing Arms

 

[mooosie]

Polygonal rifling I believe is what glock uses


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bergermeister]

Not sure about the comment about the pin not extending into the barrel, but I have been told by others that these pins in general are really soft ant they will simply shear on removal.

It was explained to me that the S&W extension (unlike most others) has the pin only in the extension. It did not go through into the barrel. The extension was merely torqued off the barrel when it was disassembled.

 

[broylz]

This seems like a great start to have one in 6.5 Creedmoor or a 338 federal as stated above.

I love a 308 but options are nice