Crowning a barrel

[GRU7_Mike]

I see a lot about crowning a rifle barrel, but nothing about crowing a handgun barrel.  Does it really make a difference, say in a 3.3 or 4 inch handgun barrel? Has anyone done it by hand...no lathe available. IF so, not using a real 11 degree cutter make a huge difference?...lots of Bubba the gunsmith ways to do it on YouTube.

[Earl Keese]

I use an 11° on my pistol barrels if they need it. I don't think there's a noticeable benefit unless you have an accuracy issue or muzzle damage. Most of the deep crowns being done now are for cosmetics.

[skin]

Ditto. What he said.

[GRU7_Mike]

Thanks for the reply.  I did notice a factory rounded crown on my Poly 80 G19 barrel and a beveled crown on my G43x.  Nothing on my P07 or 75 compact or any other of my 9mm handguns.

[tdogg]

I jacked my hunting rifle crown and opted to purchase a Mansion Crowning kit and did purchase the extra pilots for pistol cartridges (along with rifle pilots).  I have crowned my competition TSOs and my 97BD.  It was easy and the finish was excellent. 

I can't comment on whether it increased accuracy at all.  I don't think you could tell with pistol cartridges unless you did a super controlled ransom rest experiment and even then you might not be able to see any benefit.

Cheers,
Toby

[629 3inch]

That manson crowing tool looks a lot bette then the brownells one I bought but is like 5x the price

[tdogg]

It's a precision tool and cutter for sure.  Call it a buy once cry once purchase.

Cheers,
Toby