Tech Tip: Crowning and Chamfering a Muzzle

In this Tech Tip, Brownells gun tech Steve Ostrem discusses the reasons a muzzle needs re-crowned or chamfered and how to complete the project at home using Brownells products. Learn more here www.brownellsvideos.com

[@dougr5379]

I have a 1980s AR-15 from an extremely well known Connecticut manufacturer that I was going to use a suppressor on. After removing the flash hider, I was utterly flabbergasted to see the muzzle crowned off center from the bore axis. I had always been perplexed that the rifle grouped poorly with all ammo types and as a result, it was my least favorite rifle to shoot. I ordered the Brownells 11 degree chamfer tools and some Tap Magic cutting fluid and re-crowned the muzzle. Point of impact shifted 4 MOA and groups shrunk to about 1 MOA with some ammo producing sub MOA. Now this is one of my favorite ARs with a factory carry handle. Thank you Brownells!

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

You guys have great videos. I've started to remember a lot of things my Grandfather told me as a kid about re-crowing barrels and other things. His brother owned a machine shop and used to modify a lot of firearms for hunters and the police. I was unaware that re-crowning was a process I could do myself. Thanks.

[@deeeeeeps]

Brownells is such a good company. I try to buy from them as much as i can.

[@ColdWarVet607]

Wow, you guys knocked it out of the park with such a great tutorial. Why can't others do the same. Thanks a million.

[@adqak503]

You make it look so easy. Appreciate the Tech Tips!

[@MaxMinXX]

Thank you! I have a M1 Garand to re-crown, since the Muzzle Grade is a 3 and with dings, it is all over the grid. I'll be getting this from you guys soon.

[@iHooligan]

How did it turn out?

[@cptbirdwalker]

That was great. I'd love to do this.

[@calebdoner]

Never thought of doing this at home. Always figured I would need a gunsmith with a lathe.

Most helpful videos and great to watch.

[@yahuahyahusha364]

I have watched this video at least 20 times this week before I cut my barrel

[@DJChrisArgueta]

How’d it go?

[@yahuahyahusha364]

@@DJChrisArgueta GREAT! My Arsenal SAM7 is more accurate than ever, shooting dime size group at a 100 yards. The muzzle and thread finally are concentric to the bore now so I can run my suppressor on it without fear of a baffle strike.

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

Perfect, thanks for the informative video. Now to spend some money on your website!

[@juantovar4861]

I have been trying to buy crowning tools from Brownells and it is always out of stock. Anyway thanks for the video

[@redneckzen]

I feel like I just grew some brain cells with this video. Thanks guys!

[@jeremiahdillard9201]

He makes it look so easy!

[@Hamchuck112]

I thought he was joking when he pulled out the hack saw, but I guess the tool that inserts into the bore cleans everything up. Makes it look easy.

[@keithlincoln1309]

Absolutely love these videos

[@ScoutSniper3124]

Think of it this way... the LAST thing the bullet touches before leaving the rifle is the bore at the muzzle. An imperfection there (more than any other place in the barrel) affects accuracy. Even a microscopic flaw at the bore / muzzle causes the bullet to deflect off course. A good recessed crown by a proficient gunsmith is CRITICAL to a rifle's inherent accuracy. SSG. U.S. Army (Medically Retired) Infantry / Sniper / SOF Intel (SOT-A), multiple tours

[@5thid738]

I noticed your user name is ScoutSniper3124, but you were Army? Scout Sniper is a Marine Corps designation only.

[@jeffmcgrath8718]

Great information thanks

[@x1pyroveride]

Very helpful, and very indeff also.

[@DjPorkchop73]

Are there radius tools for an octagonal barrel or would this one work? I am building a muzzle loader and would love to chamfer the corners of the barrel. I like the chamfered look much better than the plain square all the way across look.

[@joewilliam9315]

Thanks. Are there advantages to either the 11 degree or 45 degree or is it just a cosmetic preference?

[@scottbuckley6578]

I just took a tremal with some fluid film and with to town on 2 of my rifles worked out great

[@untrust2033]

That facing tool is genius!

[@Potatoesandlead]

Shame brownells doesn’t sell these tools right now. I need a set

[@craposnap]

Seems like the target crown tool is in right now if you’re still looking

[@kosmolineking4327]

All this stuff needs a restock ASAP!

[@thatalaskaguy-airguns]

Great video!

[@juantovar4861]

Thank you for Your video.

[@gelugon2105]

I would be a proponent of just a simple file-down (3:05). The outside contour of the barrel edge wouldn't affect projectile exit much anyway. Besides, I would not want to risk a screw-up of the inner chamfer/crown.

[@texaspatriot9159]

Lapping compound A brass round head screw And a dremel tool

[@ronwhittaker6317]

drill press and some make shift tools you can turn some brass down . or just make a clay mold and poor it ,,, then polish it up in the drill. / be just as good as anything they put out, save some $ , there's junk brass all over this country its just knowing where to look for its .. out door plumming mostly/

[@suzukitard]

It’s probably help if you held the drill inline with what you’re using it on. Ouch.

[@debluetailfly]

Seeing someone using a drill out of line with the barrel does not create confidence.

[@ThePatriotParadox]

I just cut and crowned a barrel on my personal.22lr, my second year gunsmithing, I plan on cutting to 90 and putting threads on later, but my crown is good, I already reblued the barrel, but on one spot it's not quite perfect. As long as my crown is and it shoots straight would it be ok to leave a little spot a few degrees off....

[@AkangLukmanchanel]

Thank you

[@ivobiancucci4528]

Why do I watch these videos a few days before pay day ?

[@Bens7799]

available for airgun barrel cal .177 .22 .25 ?? thank you

[@CommanderOfChicken]

Where would you guys recommend hiding my dog while I perform this job?

[@jakegarrett8109]

Haha, yeah in a lot of places this is a felony, in others you have to ask permission half a year in advance and pay a $200 tax (and ask the government for permission way in advance every time you cross state lines) just to repair your old barrel. I’m sure our founders who executed their politicians for much less would pay that $200 on top of their tea tax right before blowing off some heads with their newly shortened sawed off musket. But you can’t even legally repair your barrel in many states so even paying the tax and putting your name on the dog execution list isn’t legal to comply with the game of tyranny.

[@jaylawrence1479]

In what states is it illegal to work on your own firearm?

[@CommanderOfChicken]

@@jaylawrence1479 None if you're not a bitch

[@tedundercarriage8183]

​@@jaylawrence1479all of them very bad

[@kamikazej77]

Is there a pilot available for 9mm ? I can’t seem to find one

[@cleilsonsousa3597]

Boa noite, moro no Brasil e gostaria de saber onde posso comprar essa ferramenta? E qual o nome dela?

[@adriannavarrocuetara5469]

Hi!! I have the .17 model 45° , Can i use this chamfering with other pilot for example .22 cal??? Or need buy other chamfering tool? Thx!!

[@Rusted_Link]

I did my SR22 on a lathe and the results were awesome. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4u5payQlNqlY5I

[@shaadydog1]

What about a full 11 with a partial 45?

[@craigadamkelly]

So what is the best angle for accuracy?

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

If you are going to recrown the barrel why cut it off ? By what I was seeing you could do that process on the barrel as is and thus have a new crown

[@royrogers3624]

david carter you must have had it muted he said "if damaged beyond repair" for instance if you buy a gun that someone managed to bend the barrel on or if the first few inches of rifling are ducked or counter bored (the glorious nosin nagant is in mind when I say that I bought one to sporterize and someone hit it with a hack saw and then threw a break on it and called it a day)

[@garagegunguy5089]

I bought a HBAR barrel from brownells a few years ago and it has never shot below 2”. I’m a manual machinist I have thought about throwing the barrel in the lathe and re-crowning the barrel. Is it possible it would improve accuracy in that type barrel or is that not much more than I should expect

[@allandobbs7059]

Definitely would if done correctly.Look on YT for recrowning using a brass screw in a drill,(softer than the barrel steel) using some auto valve polishing paste .Simples.

[@texaspatriot9159]

@@allandobbs7059 That's how I recrown my barrels It's simple and cheap and very effective

[@nickreynolds1440]

Love the variety of products brownells has..HATE how slow it is for them to get the order out to shipping.

[@carolynpayne5733]

Gosh....I always appreciated how very fast their orders arrived!

[@4kdemoscene]

Yeah Smart Post, ahh pretty dumb, just my 2 bits. (Not worth much I knoq) But thier return policy is the best I've found.

[@DontCallMeGarage]

how is a hacksaw and file a better option than using a proper lathe?

[@Aussie038]

So what size pilot do you need for a 22 Magnum barrel?

[@royrogers3624]

Aussie038 well it's. .22 powder backing the round doesn't change the projectile diameter

[@cheddarchip1013]

so is the 11 degree cutter the same as the 79 degree cutter?

[@carterstaekwondo268]

Yes

[@jorgelima9349]

Como se fabricar um estrumento para fabricar araiamento em canos de rifle ou melhor um tutorial sobre este assunto de araiamento ok um abraço do amigo do brasil j LIMA

[@user-og1zb6xr4t]

Good

[@msw9671]

Make sure to also never run cutting tools in reverse, it is the quickest way to dull the tool.

[@jacobthune4095]

my dad made cutting tools and he never told me that one. Thanks!

[@connerrounds9004]

Won't this damage the rifling?

[@mikec8086]

Conner Rounds the steel might be the brass one won't.

[@tredimetaverso3362]

Minute 1.37 the name of this tool? Thank you

[@ronwhittaker6317]

90 DEGREE CHAMFER CUTTER

[@smoakngun]

Can you please, PLEASE, tell me where I can get a vise like that?

[@jamesCarter666]

Amazon has them, look up parrot vise.

[@debluetailfly]

Michael Lea and Daughter used to modify those vises. I am unable to find current information about these folks. They were in Columbus, OH. Good people! You might find a used one if you are really lucky, but most people are going to be unwilling to part with one. The modified version is much better than the unmodified. The original jaws were cut off and replaced with heavy angle iron with wood pads glued to them. I found one picture of the new jaws.

[@ronalddavis]

you can do the same thing with a lee handheld cartridge trimmer.

[@Name-ps9fx]

Only caveat about cutting down a barrel....do not cut below 16"! Most 16" barrels are actually 16 1/4" just to be sure it doesn't get below that sinful 16"....

[@HB-kp6rl]

Might need a 90 degree crowing tool for mounting a suppressor to an ak

[@blueyddevil5]

Part numbers?

[@muffemod]

2:31 inspect the cut for cheddar or Birds

[@mmpiforall5913]

also noticed power tools weren't even held square to the barrel!

[@brianmetaphor]

@@mmpiforall5913 For what they were doing, it shouldn't matter as long as it is held steady. The brass polishing piece for the crown is radiused on the end so the angle isn't critical.

[@s.thompson9]

The crown is not the entire face of the muzzle, the crown is the exact edge where the rifling ends at the face of the muzzle.

[@SamiUllah-od7xr]

My need good quality barrel Please send me your website

[@stihlsawrepairs7955]

I am amazed that the barrel steel is so soft! The hand chamfer and a hacksaw blade cut through it like butter. That’s amazing to me. I would think barrel steel would be somewhat hardened. I’ll have to admit, I do not look at my Browning BAR with as much respect as I did before. And where is the proof that Muzzle profiling is not just for aesthetic’s, anyway??

[@five5105]

Barrel steel is most definitely hardened, it's just that the cutting tools are made from harder steel than the barrel. Barrels aren't super hard like the cutting tools because containing tens of thousands of pounds of pressure is not exactly safe with brittle steel lol. Using lubricants like cutting oil helps smooth things out a lot too.

[@jordanwilliams6972]

The proof is in the pudding, do your own work lmao

[@chrisheglund7664]

what degree chamfer would you recommend for a 380 auto ?

[@brownells]

A 45 degree chamfer should be perfect! :)

[@accessoiresyoussef664]

On

[@resolute123]

Is there a disadvantage of crowning? If it improves accuracy, why is it not featured in all firearms?

[@jordanwilliams6972]

It is a feature on literally every gun, crowns are just cut differently based on preference. 11°, recessed target, hunter, etc

[@akibteguh953]

I have someone to help buy

[@jjfoodandtravel4745]

How to make a barrel?

[@allens9573]

How hard is it to take a 22 Long rifle revolver and turn the whole thing into 22 Magnum?

[@tormauseth6022]

If you put somthing innsid the barrel and rotate it you got stripes across the lands.

[@edstimator1]

good point!

[@tonglo85]

Thumbs up 4me

[@bearly1727]

I just looked for one for my AK and they are Out of Stock.

[@muffemod]

CNC warrior might have some

[@mmpiforall5913]

Using a hack saw to cut off the end of a barrel?? Many barrels are already at minimum legal length, check out what's allowed in your state or you may be in legal jeopardy! Brownells needs to proof read the script!!

[@josephharris5346]

Brownells does not warranty their products sold thru Optics Planet

[@joepeverelle6845]

Never in-stock

[@tvincent1650]

wow - out of plumb with the drill both times... Informative though.

[@ivan868]

Do you hear about the machine called LATHE?

[@craposnap]

Lathe: 500-1000 dollars, lots of learning Hand tools: 100 dollars, 3 minute video.

[@andreykyzn]

Это какаето клиника. Не проще на сверлильном зенкеровать?

[@TheRottenOneRepents]

It's some kind of clinic. Is not it easier to drill a boring bit?

[@varjagg]

@@shakingmyhead7707 it's a smartass comment to effect that it's easier done on a drill press (which it isn't really)

[@robertosborne1753]

How about some actual links to the tools? lol

[@akibteguh953]

i want to buy a firearm

[@muffemod]

out of stock yo

[@stevenhodges3343]

Please do not cut your muzzle this way. It will seriously ruin your barrel. This video is only meant to sell products. The only way to get a precise crown is turning on a large

[@izaakb]

I've done half a dozen like this (using the drill attachment). works beautifully.

[@Nordic_Goon]

Let me guess, you're a lathe salesman.

[@mbh8280]

Maybe if you're making a barrel fresh from a steel rod, but this is perfectly suitable for the simple projects described here.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

I THINK YOU MEAN LARGE SALESMAN !

[@rumsin300]

Agree 100% ! Also why would anyone stick a steel pilot inside the muzzle and turn it? Total disaster! Depressing ideas!

[@Kanoshe]

no. hand tools are not the best way to get precise even cuts. your just wrong. the hacksaw and file bout the worst idea i can think of.

[@joserolon7715]

Ver todo

[@kassilewis5511]

For a long range precision target rifle ...yes not the best idea. For a hunting rifle that needs repair to be able to hold at least 1 1/4 m.o.a. or better at 100 yards....this works just fine.