Chopping 20" USGI A2 barrel to 11.5" is it possible?

[Tokarev]

After seeing the Israeli conversion I wondered about the front sight and never have found much other info on them so wondered if a sleeve was involved or other mods.

Is there a difference in profile under the handguards between A1 and A2?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[JasonB1]

Is there a difference in profile under the handguards between A1 and A2?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

I think the A1 and A2 are the same, but from what I can recall the diameter of the A1 barrel behind the fsb is slightly smaller than the barrel diameter under the fsb or at least that is the case until closer to the chamber.

If that is the case, that is where you get in to an issue trying to use a .625" fsb on either of them.

instead of going off of memory I just measured a late 1990s production Colt A2 barrel and it does not go above .625 inches until several inches back of the current front sight base. Factoring in manufacturing tolerances that could get iffy on trying to produce a carbine out of one.

[Tokarev]

I think the A1 and A2 are the same, but from what I can recall the diameter of the A1 barrel behind the fsb is slightly smaller than the barrel diameter under the fsb or at least that is the case until closer to the chamber.

I haven't seen an A1 barrel in awhile but I think they were .625 at the gas block flat.

Anyway it looks like the Israelis chopped their barrels off right at the beginning of the gas block flare so they had something to tighten the flash hider against. Depending on where I cut I might have to make some sort of collar or spacer.

I think I'll be good with the FN barrel I have. It measures .640ish in the area that'll become the new gas block area.

I'll probably start on this Wednesday. I can post pics if anyone cares.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

I googled up Menusar.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/hebrewh...s-menusar/amp/

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[Todd.K]

Some flash hiders can stop on the muzzle and don't need a shoulder, so that's an option.

Port will be mid .07's for 11.5" and .062 for "14.5", you can figure out a good size with that info if you end up with a barrel length between those.

You won't have much or any shoulder behind the FSB for a handguard cap.

[Iraqgunz]

I was thinking about adding 2.5" inches to my carbine and making it a Recce XL.

[Tokarev]

Some flash hiders can stop on the muzzle and don't need a shoulder, so that's an option.

Port will be mid .07's for 11.5" and .062 for "14.5", you can figure out a good size with that info if you end up with a barrel length between those.

You won't have much or any shoulder behind the FSB for a handguard cap.

I'll probably use a BCM forend if it turns out alright.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[MSW]

Not to hijack--but if you crop a chrome lined barrel, doesn't it flake or mess up the crown so it can rust?

And wouldn't drilling a hole for a gas port do the same?

I'm not a machinist, and when I asked one to trim a 20" barrel I wasn't using he said it wouldn't work.

Confusing?

[MegademiC]

Not to hijack--but if you crop a chrome lined barrel, doesn't it flake or mess up the crown so it can rust?

And wouldn't drilling a hole for a gas port do the same?

I'm not a machinist, and when I asked one to trim a 20" barrel I wasn't using he said it wouldn't work.

Confusing?

No, any electroplating outside of complete failure, does not chip, peel, or flake. People cut cr lines barrels all the time without issue.

The crown will be bare steel, so it can rust, but not a huge issue as it's either oiled or covered with carbon.

I don't know if anyone that plates the gas port.

[MSW]

Thank you