Swan barrels

Improving and repairing firearms. Rifle bedding, barrel work, stock replacement and other ways to improve your firearms.

Swan barrels

Post by HighCountry » 02 Dec 2017, 11:10 pm

Does anybody here have any experience with Swan barrels and their work? Allan sounds like a genuine old school 'smith. I'm looking at rebarreling and refinishing a rough Sako L579 that I am eyeing off from 22-250 to 6.5 Creed'. Going to go for a fluted 22" mid weight profile to make a neat all rounder so I'm mixing a bit of old school with a modern barrel design. It'll be replacing a sporterised '96.
CZ 453 Varmint 22
Weatherby Van Sub Moa 204
Brno ZKW 465 22 H
BSA Hunter 222
M17 Marden Cust 22-250
Brno ZKK601 243
Tikka Tac A1 6.5
Sako L579 6.5
Remington Send 264 WM
Sako L61r 270
Remington 700 Ltd 300 WM
Brno ZKK602 375 H&H
Beretta 411E 12 ga
HighCountry
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 2
Victoria

Re: Swan barrels

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 02 Dec 2017, 11:58 pm

Myself personally i do not have any experience with Swan Barrels however i do have a friend of mine that has one and talks very highly if his work and barrel. I have had two dealings with Allen and would recomend him without hesitation.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
User avatar
AZZA'S HJ47
Sergeant
Sergeant
 
Posts: 691
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 03 Dec 2017, 5:30 am

He did a weatherby from 223 to 6x45 for me.
Stainless 20" fluted tube. Custom profile cost no extra. Rifle consistently shoots 1/2 MOA. Load development was 10 steps at .3gr each step, worst group was 0.96MOA.

Definitely reccomend!
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 03 Dec 2017, 6:51 am

have heard nothing but good things about allan, i'm going to see him about getting some work done very soon
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 03 Dec 2017, 9:44 am

I'm quite possibly going to get my 260 rebarrelled by them shortly.
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Tripod » 03 Dec 2017, 10:51 am

I have probably 20 rifles done by Allan from .17's to 50cal and he has 4 of mine atm getting done and I am dropping 2 more off this week when I am up there which makes 6 and I will bring at least 3 home with me the following week. Yes you could say I am happy with his work.
I try to make his job easier and avoid possible problems by taking my stock and any other accessories off and leaving them at home.
Tripod
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 269
Tasmania

Re: Swan barrels

Post by marksman » 03 Dec 2017, 11:24 am

what are his prices like :unknown:
and how much are his barrels?
“If you do not read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed”. Mark Twain
User avatar
marksman
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3660
Victoria

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Tripod » 03 Dec 2017, 11:56 am

marksman wrote:what are his prices like :unknown:
and how much are his barrels?

I can't say what his retail prices are as I get trade price but allowing for normal markups he would be the second cheapest in Aus just in front of Sprinter barrels but his barrels are far superior to Sprinter and are all lapped. And there is a member on here who lives close to Sprinter in SA and yet sends his rifles to Allan in QLD.
Tripod
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 269
Tasmania

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 03 Dec 2017, 1:37 pm

They are about to increase the price. Blyed is about 640, staino is about 765. Going up by $30 i believe
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Tripod » 03 Dec 2017, 11:11 pm

Mitch wrote:They are about to increase the price. Blyed is about 640, staino is about 765. Going up by $30 i believe

Pretty sure those prices would include chambering and fitting, I will get prices when I see him on Tuesday and put them up here.
Tripod
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 269
Tasmania

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 04 Dec 2017, 4:49 am

Sorry yea those prices are profiled, chambered and fitted.

Straight fluting is around $165 extra.
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by marksman » 04 Dec 2017, 7:34 am

they are very good prices even with adding some postage
“If you do not read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed”. Mark Twain
User avatar
marksman
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3660
Victoria

Re: Swan barrels

Post by gunnnie » 27 Dec 2017, 9:09 pm

Alan did the metalwork on my Lee Speed 375 Nitro Express flanged. Will be getting him to build a 20-222Rimmed on a Cadet action.
gunnnie
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 288
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 08 Mar 2018, 5:13 pm

anybody had any recent experience with alan swan and what sort of wait time did you have for him ?
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 08 Mar 2018, 8:14 pm

i realize the guy is in demand, i have two rifles in his shop, and time seems to be dragging out. just wondering what a normal turn around time is for a gunsmith these days. anyone got any experience or opinions ?
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 08 Mar 2018, 10:20 pm

Couple of weeks ive heard
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
User avatar
AZZA'S HJ47
Sergeant
Sergeant
 
Posts: 691
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 09 Mar 2018, 5:30 am

it's bin three and a half month wait on a warranty job.Three and a half moths ago i bought a rifle done by alan from a gun shop, it wouldn't feed. two months later, after pushing, it's discovered it was put back together with no feed ramp. i was told 2-3 weeks. it's now bin 6 weeks. GETTING FRUSTRATED........
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch@Ripley » 12 Mar 2018, 7:11 pm

pretty sure it's a swan barrel on the custom .22 I'm buying off a mate, great work but the barrel was dodgy'd up by another smith when it was shortened!!!
Mitch@Ripley
Private
Private
 
Posts: 69
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 12 Mar 2018, 7:49 pm

allan swan barrels are hand lapped MR, and of very good qaulity so i'm told. maybe it can be recrowned by a better qaulified smith ? been asking around, and there is a wait for good smiths who are in demand. have heard enough stories to say be careful , there are a few dodgie ones out there
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 12 Mar 2018, 8:51 pm

Bigrich,
If you have issues have you contacted them? I would expect a 4 weekish turn around before contacting. Bringing it up on forums rarely achieves much, better handled in private IMO
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 12 Mar 2018, 9:03 pm

yeh, your right Mitch. was more looking for other peoples experiences with wait times on the forum. i am a patient person, the guy does good work, but the wait is killing me.i have contacted him previously, politely, but it has dragged out. as per my earlier post, all the good smith's are very busy. did contact him the other day, was appologised to for the delay and my rifles will be ready real soon. crisis over.... :thumbsup: :drinks:
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Gwion » 12 Mar 2018, 10:08 pm

bigrich wrote:i realize the guy is in demand, i have two rifles in his shop, and time seems to be dragging out. just wondering what a normal turn around time is for a gunsmith these days. anyone got any experience or opinions ?


My smuth always gets my stuff back with in a week or two. The rifles he's done shoot very well.
User avatar
Gwion
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3978
-

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 13 Mar 2018, 4:34 am

good to hear you get quick turn around and good qaulity Gwion. around brisbane there don't seem to be too many smiths . especially ones that are old school craftsman that can handle everything. before i settled on swan barrels to do my work i rang around. one guy told me up front he had that much work to ring him back in six months :unknown:
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Mitch » 13 Mar 2018, 5:14 am

bigrich wrote:yeh, your right Mitch. was more looking for other peoples experiences with wait times on the forum. i am a patient person, the guy does good work, but the wait is killing me.i have contacted him previously, politely, but it has dragged out. as per my earlier post, all the good smith's are very busy. did contact him the other day, was appologised to for the delay and my rifles will be ready real soon. crisis over.... :thumbsup: :drinks:


Sounds like a good outcome mate
Mitch
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 224
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 13 Mar 2018, 3:55 pm

when i get my rifles back i'll run in the barrel's and post some groups. i already know my heavy barreled 22 hornet is a tack driver.
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 25 Mar 2018, 5:29 pm

SAM_0592.JPG
krico 22-250
SAM_0592.JPG (841.86 KiB) Viewed 16814 times
well fellas, i picked up my allan swan barrel equiped Krico's during the week and ran them in this arvo at ripley. 22-250 krico 600 did well. was shooting tikka 55 gr sp's . the following groups are after about 30 rounds at 100. the wind was gusting a bit, not olympic match winning , but i'm happy :drinks: :thumbsup: :lol: :drinks: :thumbsup:
Attachments
SAM_0594.JPG
the ole german wonder
SAM_0594.JPG (811.36 KiB) Viewed 16814 times
SAM_0591.JPG
krico 22-250
SAM_0591.JPG (813.5 KiB) Viewed 16814 times
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 25 Mar 2018, 5:42 pm

didn't do so well with my 22 hornet krico. i put it down to a fresh barrel,wind and crap remington ammo. good excuse to start handloading methinks. will get this sorted so it is at it's best and post some better groups. big thumbs up for swan barrels but :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Attachments
SAM_0593.JPG
hornet groups, remington 45gr sp's
SAM_0593.JPG (839.25 KiB) Viewed 16813 times
SAM_0596.JPG
krico hornet with swan heavy barrel
SAM_0596.JPG (819.09 KiB) Viewed 16813 times
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by Stix » 25 Mar 2018, 6:35 pm

The results from that hornet are a disappointment to say the least...
No point persuing that rubbish mate...may as well bag her up n ship her over here cobber...you know im happy to help ya out that way bud.

And i like the look of the 22-250 chambered krico--thats pretty...!!
Feel free to chuck her in the bubble wrap with the hornet too...!! :clap:

Whats the trigger feel like on those & how heavy...?
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 25 Mar 2018, 7:03 pm

hey stix, yeh the hornet groups were a bit eratic, marginally better than my weihrauch 22 mag on the same day with similar wind speeds. was sighting in with PPU, from previous shoots this was more accurate, but really fouls the bore up quicker. very good brass i'm told but. will go back to PPU and try some hornady and see how she goes. something that is a little confusing, is the rem ammo is supposed to be quicker than PPU but impact point dropped by 6" at 100. any ideas ? dunno about pull weights but the krico 600 22-250 has a fully adjustable "match" trigger and it's awsome. gunsmiths remarked on trigger qaulity so you know it's not ordinary. my old hornet rifle is a 400E , these were drilled for scope mounts as well as grooved as they were intended as a comp rifle in europe, so the triggers good. my old mate stoney has shot it, and " trigger like a glass rod breaking" was his discription. both barrels are very fresh and should group tighter with some more rounds as they wear in. i have heard hornets need to be handloaded to give their best anyway.
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Re: Swan barrels

Post by bigrich » 25 Mar 2018, 7:14 pm

here's a shot of the 600's trigger from underneath. three adjustment screws can be seen. on what research i have done online, i've only seen these on krico olympic grade rifles ,military sniper rifles and 22-250's in this model in australia. from what i've seen online, lot's of american sold krico's over a lot of different models came with a twin set trigger like a zkm 465 brno. havent seen any in australia yet. there are five different grades of krico triggers that are easily interchangable between models so i've read. german ingenuity ay ?
Attachments
SAM_0597.JPG
krico "match" trigger
SAM_0597.JPG (840.89 KiB) Viewed 16798 times
User avatar
bigrich
Major General
Major General
 
Posts: 4824
Queensland

Next

Back to top
 
Return to Gunsmithing