- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Straightening
Home > Modern Firearms Manufacture > Rifled Barrels > Straightening
After reaming and/or lapping, barrels may be straightened. An operator aims the barrel at an optical pattern on a nearby wall. The pattern design is such that its reflection on the interior surface of the barrel reveals the straightness of the bore, relative to the long axis. If the reflection indicates that the bored hole is not concentric to the axis, the operator places the barrel in a large hand press and applies pressure to points on the barrel that will improve straightness.
Click here to watch a video from Savage Arms of a gun barrel being straightened
Barrel straightening is a manual operation that requires a very skilled operator, adding to the cost of the barrel-making operation. It behooves the designers and operators of barrel-making equipment to create and maintain machines that produce straight barrels every time.
