Rifled Barrels

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This discussion of manufacturing focuses primarily on the firearm components that most commonly lend individuality to firearms and make identification possible.

The firearm component that started modern forensic identification is the rifled barrel. The modern barrel starts as a solid bar of steel. Conventional chromium-molybdenum (chrome-moly) steels have been the norm for over a century, but various alloys classed as “stainless steel” have appeared in increasing numbers over the last thirty years. The difference in material has little bearing on identification. For the manufacturer it is important because stainless steel machines differently from chrome-moly steel and may require different tooling and processing.

Firearms manufacturers may own their barrel-making equipment or buy partially completed barrel blanks. The old norm was to own all the equipment needed to make a firearm. Newer global trends in manufacturing reflect that buying parts reduces the significant capital investment required to produce in-house.

Barrel blanks

Photo Courtesy of Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Co., Inc.

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