Barrel Vise Instructions
General
The Barrel Vise consists of 3 parts: Body, Clamp & Screw. The Body is designed
to be held in a 6" bench vise or as an alternative, it can be welded to a plate
bolted to a bench or other support. This Barrel Vise solves the problem of
disassembling barrels from receiver nose pieces as is the case with the parts
kit guns, but it can also be used with complete receivers. The reason this
design works whereas a standard gunsmith's barrel vise will usually not hold the
barrel tight enough, is that a standard vise only grips the barrel in two
places. The wrap around Clamp of the Richardson Barrel Vise actually deforms
around the barrel and grips the barrel over approximately 150 degrees of the
barrel's circumference in addition to the bottom jaw. This is particularly
important so as not to damage finned barrels. This Barrel Vise will accommodate
barrels fitted with compensators or ring-style front sights without their
removal.
Barrel Removal
Chuck the receiver or receiver nose piece on its side in a 6" bench vise with
the top toward the left. Use padding to protect the finish. Pass the Clamp
opening over the barrel and compensator and/or front sight if fitted. Force the
grip mount away from the barrel with the Richardson Grip Mount Lever. Force the
grip mount away from the barrel just enough to allow the Clamp to pass by the
grip mount projection. Insert a folded business card between the barrel and the
grip mount projection. Release the grip mount. The business card will protect
the finish on the barrel. Remove the receiver assembly from the bench vise.
Chuck the Body in the bench vise such that the grooved area is up and projecting
out past the left side of the bench vise jaws. Assemble the Clamp and
barrel/receiver on the grooved end of the Body. Turn in the Screw, with its
pilot entering the hole in the bottom of the Body, but allow the barrel to
remain turnable. Push the barrel through the Clamp until the receiver is stopped
by the Clamp. Rotate the barrel/receiver clockwise, as seen from the receiver
end, until the rotation is stopped by the grip mount hitting the Clamp. Tighten
the Screw with a 1-1/2" wrench tight enough to prevent the barrel from turning
(really tight). This will usually require a 3/4" drive flex handle and socket
with a pipe over the handle to increase the mechanical advantage. Turn the
receiver nose counter-clockwise with a Richardson Receiver Wrench to avoid any
damage to the receiver or any wrench if the receiver is to be scraped. If the
barrel refuses to turn and it is attached to only a receiver nose piece, heat
the receiver nose piece red hot with an acetylene torch. Do not apply the flame
to the barrel or grip mount. After the receiver nose piece has completely
cooled, try again to unscrew the barrel. Turn the receiver approximately 150
degrees or until the grip mount reaches the opposite side of the Clamp. Loosen
the Screw. Remove the barrel/receiver from the Barrel Vise. Rechuck the receiver
in the bench vise as before. Force the grip mount away from the barrel as before
and unscrew the barrel from the receiver by hand. Separate the barrel from the
Clamp.
Barrel Installation
Reverse the removal procedure.
Douglas W. Richardson
2100 McReynolds Road, Malibu CA 90265
Telephone: 310-457-6400 E-Mail: ThompsonSMG@mail.com