FX barrel question (considering an 'X' but cant figure out the fitment )

[JCD]

I'll speak to my Wildcat MKI as my example. It has the smooth twist barrel. Enough said.

My understanding on the MKII is that it has the X barrel (or is at least swappable to the X), as one it's main upgrades. So why cant one put the X barrel in the MKI (or non-X impact etc). If the OD is different. I get that but could it be sleeved? If the brass fitting to the action is different, could one be machined (be it the fitting or the barrel) or purchased as a part (if not part of the barrel assembly), from FX. For purpose of this post, lets ignore cost...



quick edit as I need to run, I'm asking because I have a LW barrel blank sitting here that I have in mind for something else if the FX smooth twist to X barrel upgrade is feasible.

 

[Saltlake58]

OK, I'll put my 2 cents in. If you know what you are doing, you can swap a barrel on almost any gun, just that the Wildcat wasn't designed with swapping in mind. I suppose you could purchase a replacement barrel for a MK1 with an X barrel, but you'd need to contact someone like AoA or FX directly to ensure they didn't change something else along the way.

I just purchased an X Barrel upgrade for my Impact. They did change one fairly important thing, and that's the screw that holds the barrel in the gun. The original had a little dimple drilled into the side of the barrel where it slid into the receiver. The new barrels don't have the little dimple and the screw was changed to a "Set Screw" or as some call it, a "Grub Screw". Subtle design changes like that could really louse up your day. I'm waiting for my set screws to come in (should be here Saturday), before I can mount the barrel properly.

Give AoA or FX a call and see what they have to say. If the X barrel is basically a drop in replacement for any one competent with a few tools, they can tell you.

 

[JCD]

Thanks, I'm going to pass on the whole concept of manhandling this one to shoot at 12fpe. The whole process takes too much time, I don't want to put that much more money into a 'test' with the X barrel and I acquired the LW barrel I have for a different project anyway. I'm spending my spare time today putting the whole thing back to 20FPE. It liked the 13.4's at that power plus a little (which also made it close to 23fpe) but the pellets didn't cycle well. Gotta get it to shoot with 10.34s or try sizing pellets....