Barrel Shortening???

[mw1858]

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

 

[RGERBER875]

Use Crisco oil - it's a shortening

 

[stickbug1]

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.

 

[Argonnakid]

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

 

[spleify]

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.

 

[BELT_FED]

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

 

[MPLUSM]

Use Crisco oil - it's a shortening

Ha ha ha! I thought the same thing for a second, then I saw this post!