Take LW barrels for example. You frequently see the term "match grade." But, are there grades of match grade?
Barrel grades?
- Thread starter Skip-in-WV
- Start date
I always presumed that "match grade"" was simply a testosterone stirring way of saying "very good quality".
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On my "Ruger 10/22s", I did total custom builds..
Stock receivers, but all upgraded components. "Match Grade" IMO just differentiates between parts typically used
in something also used in competition setups, vs just the average parts that are knocked off / cloned..
One of my rifles has a bunch of Volquartsen internals..
I wanted to see if I could take out a factory/OEM component, modify it, then really fine tune it..
[grind, sand, debur, sand more, polish, etc] It took a while, and some elbow grease, but, I matched that quality..
That said, not only are better materials usually used, but, the design is usually different / better,
the fit / finish as well, and the quality control is there!
Those rifles also use .920 bull/target barrels.. I opted for Ruger brand
while other brands are out there - they're both still considered 'match grade'.
I will say this - Day and night difference from the OEM regular tapered barrels, but, apples vs. oranges.
LW barrels for air rifles.. Since you brought that up, I have to say..
After talking to a few guys on here who have made that leap and gone with LW upgrades,
I'm pretty sold on most likely doing the same thing..
Ex: The P15. Sort of a gamble on whether or not you get a good bad, good, or great barrel..
I got a Great one. Still OEM.
Others that aren't so lucky usually just upgrade to the LW
Well, now I know a few guys that also had Great barrels, still upgraded to the LW,
and now they're saying that the LW barrels are Amazing - off the charts better!
And we're talking guys who are trying to pull ever single solitary oz of performance out of the gun..
So, knowing how into all of this they are - I'll believe 100% that in LW case, Match-Grade is fitting for sure!
Sam -
Stock receivers, but all upgraded components. "Match Grade" IMO just differentiates between parts typically used
in something also used in competition setups, vs just the average parts that are knocked off / cloned..
One of my rifles has a bunch of Volquartsen internals..
I wanted to see if I could take out a factory/OEM component, modify it, then really fine tune it..
[grind, sand, debur, sand more, polish, etc] It took a while, and some elbow grease, but, I matched that quality..
That said, not only are better materials usually used, but, the design is usually different / better,
the fit / finish as well, and the quality control is there!
Those rifles also use .920 bull/target barrels.. I opted for Ruger brand
while other brands are out there - they're both still considered 'match grade'.
I will say this - Day and night difference from the OEM regular tapered barrels, but, apples vs. oranges.
LW barrels for air rifles.. Since you brought that up, I have to say..
After talking to a few guys on here who have made that leap and gone with LW upgrades,
I'm pretty sold on most likely doing the same thing..
Ex: The P15. Sort of a gamble on whether or not you get a good bad, good, or great barrel..
I got a Great one. Still OEM.
Others that aren't so lucky usually just upgrade to the LW
Well, now I know a few guys that also had Great barrels, still upgraded to the LW,
and now they're saying that the LW barrels are Amazing - off the charts better!
And we're talking guys who are trying to pull ever single solitary oz of performance out of the gun..
So, knowing how into all of this they are - I'll believe 100% that in LW case, Match-Grade is fitting for sure!
Sam -
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*Grades of Match-Grade* - Yes.
I'm just not familiar with what brands there are of them in the airgun-world..
When it comes to .22 rimfire rifles, there are a TON of them..
Lots and lots of custom machined versions by people who do an amazing job..
Not just big-name companies like people are used to seeing..
I guarantee it's the same with these..
Sam -
I'm just not familiar with what brands there are of them in the airgun-world..
When it comes to .22 rimfire rifles, there are a TON of them..
Lots and lots of custom machined versions by people who do an amazing job..
Not just big-name companies like people are used to seeing..
I guarantee it's the same with these..
Sam -
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Yes,Check it out online,very interesting and you will notice names you never have heard before.... I am taking about power burners ,though some of the barrel makers have made air gun barrels...there is match grade and there is match grade so they can be different and as it usual "the nicer the nice the higher the price".
You may ask what is different and that is why you should read up on true match grade barrels and parts....=individual machine work one at a time and if they do not meet the "test" they scrape them.Very competitive...geeze I do even know if I answered the question?
You may ask what is different and that is why you should read up on true match grade barrels and parts....=individual machine work one at a time and if they do not meet the "test" they scrape them.Very competitive...geeze I do even know if I answered the question?
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Here's what my .22 LW barrel does in my P15 at 50 yards. 5 shot groups. 
I really dragged my feet about doing a LW barrel upgrade. My mind was blown when I realized how accurate it was and it completely transformed the gun. JSAR did the machine work and it was top notch! But as far as the grade, it was just a choked .47 diameter blank with standard rifling.
I really dragged my feet about doing a LW barrel upgrade. My mind was blown when I realized how accurate it was and it completely transformed the gun. JSAR did the machine work and it was top notch! But as far as the grade, it was just a choked .47 diameter blank with standard rifling.
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" But, are there grades of match grade? " if speaking of LW, yes.
And boscoebrea called it on the prep!
It would be possible to order a batch/run of LW barrels spec'd your way. $$$$$$$$ on that minimum order.
Still using LW, if you want a "match" barrel you would grab the 1st and inspect, then do some hours of prep then inspect, might pass or fail, then install & test, might pass or fail then if needed start over, or it's "match grade". I know at least 2 makers who do this and have stacks of "unworthy" match grade barrels laying around.
Want to talk lija or such PREP then prep then prep.
"Match grade" ( still thinking LW ) on a lower end mass produced rig would just be any LW blank machined to fit. May or may not have passed even the first visual of a smith but likely outshoots 99% of shooters.
John
And boscoebrea called it on the prep!
It would be possible to order a batch/run of LW barrels spec'd your way. $$$$$$$$ on that minimum order.
Still using LW, if you want a "match" barrel you would grab the 1st and inspect, then do some hours of prep then inspect, might pass or fail, then install & test, might pass or fail then if needed start over, or it's "match grade". I know at least 2 makers who do this and have stacks of "unworthy" match grade barrels laying around.
Want to talk lija or such PREP then prep then prep.
"Match grade" ( still thinking LW ) on a lower end mass produced rig would just be any LW blank machined to fit. May or may not have passed even the first visual of a smith but likely outshoots 99% of shooters.
John
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"Match grade" is a relative term not only subject to interpretation, but often abused by profiteers. Not that you shouldn't always believe anyone trying to SELL you something!
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I don't think barrel makers specifically make match grade barrels. They make the best barrels they can and measure them and the best are select match and next might be match and so on down. Some are bad enough to be thrown away. It is all in the measurement. IMHO of course.
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AirNGasman,
you nailed the whole 'abused' term thing - when it comes to profiteers!
Yup, I agree 100% Sort of like how now a days, everything is "tactical". haha
It's been mentioned a few times above..
Big manufacturers making anything in mass quantity: Their product is going to be very nice,
but, never usually 'top-notch'. To achieve that, there is no doubt in my mind that
someone is going to have to go through it [or make from scratch] and do whatever is needed
in order to either make or break a standard or expectation.
That's why small runs, one offs, etc. are usually the only way to go..
Think pro vs consumer quality.. Then there's also "ProSumer".
[This sort of thing will apply with just about everything]
While most rifles have consumer quality / grade components,
upgrading can result in more of a prosumer standard..
Pro would be the highest of the high end quality / grade..
And that's where true-match would come into play..
Me personally? I would Never need that type of precision..
As much of a passion as I have for shooting, I'm too poor to warrant the expense..
For people with throw away money, or, for people into serious competing,
yup, that sort of thing is most definitely their only way to go.
Sam -
you nailed the whole 'abused' term thing - when it comes to profiteers!
Yup, I agree 100% Sort of like how now a days, everything is "tactical". haha
It's been mentioned a few times above..
Big manufacturers making anything in mass quantity: Their product is going to be very nice,
but, never usually 'top-notch'. To achieve that, there is no doubt in my mind that
someone is going to have to go through it [or make from scratch] and do whatever is needed
in order to either make or break a standard or expectation.
That's why small runs, one offs, etc. are usually the only way to go..
Think pro vs consumer quality.. Then there's also "ProSumer".
[This sort of thing will apply with just about everything]
While most rifles have consumer quality / grade components,
upgrading can result in more of a prosumer standard..
Pro would be the highest of the high end quality / grade..
And that's where true-match would come into play..
Me personally? I would Never need that type of precision..
As much of a passion as I have for shooting, I'm too poor to warrant the expense..
For people with throw away money, or, for people into serious competing,
yup, that sort of thing is most definitely their only way to go.
Sam -
Upvote 0