Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Barrel Dimpling vs. Fluting?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    103
    Feedback Score
    0

    Barrel Dimpling vs. Fluting?

    Randall or ColdBlue or Grant (or anyone else w/ the facts who cares to answer)-

    Are there any benefits to the new KAC-style barrel dimpling (ala the KAC PDW) as opposed to fluting?--For rigidity, cooling, weight-reduction, etc., which is better and why?

    It definitely "looks cool" but if the dimpling is the latest and greatest thing, then how come more people aren't doing it and it hasn't been around until just recently? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

    -Bryan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    VA
    Posts
    10,781
    Feedback Score
    17 (100%)
    IIRC a dimpled barrel is a stiffer a barrel than a fluted one, and cools more quickly than a fluted barrel. It does cost quite a bit more, as it's more labor intensive to manufacture.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    1,111
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Bcm3087 View Post
    if the dimpling is the latest and greatest thing, then how come more people aren't doing it
    Reed Knight patented it.

    http://www.google.com/patents?id=kOd2AAAAEBAJ
    Randall Rausch
    AR15 Barrel Guru

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    103
    Feedback Score
    0
    Thanks for the responses so far. So if I'm reading this correctly (from link provided above):


    "Abstract:
    Gas-operated automatic and semi-automatic guns are improved by providing their barrels with unique exterior surface configurations to reduce the weight of their barrels while retaining the barrels' original stiffness and to cause the barrels to dissipate heat faster."


    ...It sounds like the dimpling's primary purposes are faster cooling and lighter weight, but that they should not be significantly "stiffer" than a standard contour (i.e. "normal" non-fluted/non-dimpled) and otherwise equal barrel. So the benefits of such a barrel would be most apparent in a full-auto weapon or one that is subjected to long bursts of rapid fire, not necessarily in a weapon with the primary purpose of precision accuracy. Right?

    Also, if this process is patented by KAC, does that mean that no one else can perform this work on a barrel if I wanted to have one done in a similar manner?

    Thanks,

    Bryan

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    1,111
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Bcm3087 View Post
    if this process is patented by KAC, does that mean that no one else can perform this work on a barrel if I wanted to have one done in a similar manner?
    Nobody else should be able to offer a barrel for sale with the patented feature.
    Nobody should be able to offer the service to create such a barrel.
    At least that's how it's supposed to work.

    Now if you were to ASK someone to do it, they are not "offering" to do it.

    That's the "gray area"...

    I did one for a guy that asked me.
    I don't ever want to do one again though.
    Too much work as I don't have a CNC...

    Randall Rausch
    AR15 Barrel Guru

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    FL, USA
    Posts
    126
    Feedback Score
    0
    .....

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    1,111
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by altav View Post
    You just need to know who to ask...
    And who might that be...?
    Randall Rausch
    AR15 Barrel Guru

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    FL, USA
    Posts
    126
    Feedback Score
    0
    .....

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Mpls, MN
    Posts
    152
    Feedback Score
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by AR15barrels View Post
    I'm not anything close to a lawyer and I can say with utter certainty that there's no ****ing way you could enforce that patent. The scope of what's claimed to be patented is far too broad.

    If you look at traditional fluting, it's infringing upon Knight's claim of an oval or oblong radiused machined surface on the barrel. I'd laugh my ass off if I was a judge hearing them try to enforce this.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    347
    Feedback Score
    0
    Adco does it as well. 115$ forward of the fsb. 125$ rearward. 240$ total

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •