PIKE ARMS® MG42 / MG3 / M53 BARREL 7.62 x 51 / .308

- 4150 PARKERIZED STEEL NEW MANUFACTURE

Pike Arms® new manufacture MG42 / MG3 / M53 barrels chambered in 7.62 x 51 / .308 Win caliber are a high quality replacement for the increasingly difficult to obtain original barrels.  Each barrel is precison CNC manufactured in the USA by Pike Arms® from new production 4150 steel stress relieved barrel grade steel (NOT re-purposed used 1919 barrels etc) for longer service life at high rates of fire especially when shooting surplus or corrosive ammo. 

Barrels are completely finished (to include chambered and OD profiled) and are ready for you to install your barrel extension.  Due to the minimal differences in barrel extensions and bolts, each barrel should be checked for headspace with the intended bolt(s) after the barrel extension is installed. (NOT INCLUDED) Sold separatley. Available from multiple online sellers.  Two options are available (please select when ordering):

OPTION 1:  PRE-SET FOR APPROXIMATE HEADSPACE

Barrels have the ring that the barrel extension shoulders against already cut to accomodate most barrel extension and bolt combinations.  In our experience with installing, measuring and testing a large sample of barrel extensions and bolts, when your barrel extension is torqued against the pre-cut shoulder, with no modificatoins required to the barrel, you should have a SAAMI spec go / nogo chamber headspace spec.  However, if your combination of barrel extension and bolt require more headspace, it can easily be achieved with the addition of precision shims between the barrel and the barrel extension.  Similarly, in the event you have a barrel extension that is not a good "fit" for headspace distance with a specific bolt, often if you simply try a different barrel extenion you will find that you'll then have a perfect headspace distance with no fitting required.  This "pre-set headspace" option allows assembly of the barrel and barrel extension for most shooters without the necessity of a lathe.   Once you have your headspace distance correct, and PRIOR TO FIRING, you MUST adequately stake the barrel to the barrel extension so that the barrel does not unscrew from the barrel extension during firing (which would quickly result in a dangerous conditon due to excessively long headspace).     

OPTION 2: LATHE REQUIRED FOR SETTING HEADSPACE

Barrels have the ring that the barrel extension shoulders against intentionally approximately .010 longer than normally necessary which will require the shouldering ring to be trimmed in a lathe to correctly headspace  your barrel extension and bolt combinations.  With the shoulder ring .010 longer than usually necessary, your headpsace will be too long and you will NOT be able to lock your bolt on a field gauge.  This barrel CANNOT be used in this configuration until it is lathe trimmed for correct headspace distance.  A lathe (capable of chucking the barrel) is required to correctly headspace this barrel and it should only be attempted by competent professional machinists / gunsmiths.  Once you have your headspace distance correct, and PRIOR TO FIRING, you MUST adequately stake the barrel to the barrel extension so that the barrel does not unscrew from the barrel extension during firing (which would quickly result in a dangerous conditon due to excessively long headspace).    

!!! BOTH OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2 REQUIRE THE HEADSPACE TO BE CHECKED WITH HEADSPACE GUAGES (NOT AMMUNITION OR BRASS) AND THE LENGTH ADJUSTED AS NECESSARY PRIOR TO USE.  CUSTOMERS THAT ARE NOT FAMILIAR OR COMFORTABLE WITH THE HEADSPACE PROCESS SHOULD CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED COMPETENT GUNSMITH OR MACHINIST FOR ASSISTANCE.  !!! 

This is a limited run and is not anticipated to be restocked when sold out.  If you have a '42, now is the time to stock up on a high quality new production barrel that is second to none.