CHF barrels are not new and rare technology but it is the same thing as making cars ; KIA's are made basically the same way as Mercedes but no one is going to confuse the two
Winchester and Remington make barrels via CHF but no one is going to confuse them with FN or HK made CHF barrels
They are not one and the same
Incorrect. ANY barrel for a banned assault weapon is also banned from import whether new or used. This is why we are not able to get Chinese made AR-15 barrels, nor Canadian C7 barrels, German Rienland Arms AR-15 barrels, etc.
Furthermore, the cut-up barrels included with Kalashnikov parts kits include new AND used barrels. They are cut to pieces because they could not be imported otherwise.
Finally, there are loop-holes: Current "Russian" AK-47s are imported as "sporting rifles" such as the Siaga or VEPR - then converted here. The barrel in that case is considered part of an importable gun instead of a banned Kalashnikov barrel. The first Sig 556 barrels were "manufactured" here using nearly complete blanks. The Romanian "WASR" rifles are imported as 10-shot only "sporter" rifles; after they arrive, the magazine well is opened up.
This is not cheating - it is actually following the letter of the import law. BTW - Glock uses similar loop holes by importing many models with adjustable "target sights" - only to remove them after they arrive here.
'Zackly!
It's not new tech, but it's fair to say the European mfg's have 3x the experience with the Steyr process. (back to WWII)
Winchester sort of played in this space in the 60's with their rotary swage (Torrington machine/process). But it was not as effective a process. Same for Remington with hot forging.
My understanding is that Ruger was the 1st to use the Steyr process GFM machines in the US commercially in the 90's, shortly followed by Remington. Back then the machines were $1M a pop!
Rock Island Arsenal (the arsenal, not the current RIA company) had the first GFM Steyr process machine in the US back in 1975. I read a pretty neat report on their findings that led to the usage in most of the US weapons. They recommended it for the M16A1, wonder how Colt resisted.
The most recent estimate I'm aware of is under 2 dozen GFM barrel machines in the US, with most in the hands of FN Herstal, Ruger, and Remington. Unless they have become way cheaper it's not something a mom & pop can justify, unlike CNC. But I'm probably a few years out of date on this.
It's also not enough to just have the machine, my understand is that the heat treat for stress relief is also critical.
I have to assume process control and steel quality drives much of the difference between Steyr/HK/Sako/FN hammer forged barrels and the Ruger/Remington.
Remington played with hot forging early on, but apparently like Ruger went to the Steyr process (GFM Machines) primarily for long term cost benefits. That and (for Ruger) less dependence on external contractors for barrels.
If you can get a tour by all means do it!! Also bring a set of ear protection. Those machines are just a tiny bit noisy!!
A little OT here but, I toured the Heym factory while Germany and watched barrels being made. It was a very interesting process. The initial barrel metal literally grows in length and gets very hot from the fast turning rotary hammers. The craftsmanship and work that goes into these rifles warrants their cost.
Still kicking myself for not buying that fancy Double rifle they had on display.
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