Anderson Manufacturing Barrel Autopsy

Published on July 6, 2020
Duration: 24:00

This comprehensive guide details the autopsy of an Anderson Manufacturing 16-inch carbine barrel, performed by a professional firearms instructor. It covers critical inspection points including headspace, throat depth, muzzle erosion, chamber mapping, alignment, gas port size, and internal condition via borescope. The analysis highlights potential manufacturing defects and their impact on firearm function.

Quick Summary

A professional firearms instructor's detailed autopsy of an Anderson Manufacturing 16" Carbine Barrel revealed critical defects including short headspace, a binding throat, chrome flaking, and a poor muzzle crown. Specialized tools like boresopes and headspace gauges were used to diagnose issues affecting firearm function and reliability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Specifications
  2. 00:35Headspace Testing
  3. 02:38Throat and Muzzle Erosion
  4. 03:58Throat Gauge Binding
  5. 05:20Chamber Mapping
  6. 08:30Alignment and Clocking
  7. 11:10Gas Port Measurement
  8. 13:25Borescope Inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Anderson Manufacturing 16" Carbine Barrel analyzed?

The Anderson Manufacturing 16" Carbine Barrel features a 5.56 NATO chamber, M4 feed ramps, and a 1:8 twist rate. The analyzed barrel had a gas port size of .068" and measured .220" for muzzle erosion.

What critical defects were found during the autopsy of the Anderson Manufacturing barrel?

The autopsy revealed short headspace, a binding throat gauge indicating a short throat or tight chamber, significant internal chrome flaking, rough machining marks, and a defective muzzle crown, suggesting poor manufacturing quality.

How is headspace tested on an AR-15 barrel?

Headspace is tested using a known-good bolt carrier group and specific headspace gauges (.223, .223 Wylde, 5.56 NATO). The barrel should not close on the 'go' gauge, and barrel extension gauges can isolate the barrel as the variable if issues arise.

What diagnostic tools are used in this barrel autopsy?

The analysis employs specialized tools including headspace gauges, a Michiguns throat gauge, a borescope for internal inspection, precision pins for gas port measurement, and a Sharpie for chamber mapping to identify binding points.

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