TRS ?

[Salkehatchie]

I may have run across a real goodie.     I do have a question though.

What is the opinion of TRS own in-house made barrels.  I have found one that I have wanted for years, but was always hesitant to go full custom due to lead times.

Thank you for any feedback!

[rich pierce]

I believe Colerain makes their barrels.  That was the case, last I knew.

[Salkehatchie]

Correct, but what I was told this AM is that on some special low volume barrels they do them in-house.



What I was told on the phone at any rate.  They are not cheap, due to the economics of it - but is exactly what I have been looking for.

Thank you

[Roger B]

I was down there a few weeks back, but didn't see any barrel making machinery.  My understanding was that Colerain made their barrels.  I was also told that Colerain was making their barrels to original specs for each individual rifle, however mine had "C" stamped on it, so I assume it was a standard C weight.  The stock I got from them could have been better and is causing me some headaches.  The wood was good, but the stock is nearly (and I mean by a whisker) too narrow and the barrel channel cut was crooked.  Everything else was fine.  If I had it to do again, I would buy the castings from TRS, buy my own Cweight barrel, and have it inlet into a blank by Knob Mt. or others.    Nice guys, though, and they have been very reponsive.
Roger B.

[johntulle]

My experience with TRS was similar. 
The barrel was a standard Colerain 20gx44" fowler.  It was the same as two others I got in kits from two other dealers.  That was fine.
The inletting on the barrel was just a little shallow but I made it work. 
The triggerguard inlet had gaps up to 1/16".  I am fitting in wood and recutting the inlet.  Matching the color is tricky. Probably will need to stain.

Next time I'll specify barrel & ramrod inlet only. 

John

[Acer Saccharum]

The below is just my personal preference, and pertains to all kits, from any supplier:

I have built several rifles from kits, and would never, ever order the kit with lock and hardware pre-inlet. First of all, the inlets can be a little too big, and second, there is NO room for moving a lock for best position on the touch hole. A little extra wood on all surfaces is very nice to have, to be able to tweak the architecture a bit.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I agree with Acer, I am building a kit now and some aspect of it are harder than inletting yourself.  I am not saying the kit is bad, it is great.  But it presents a whole different set of challenges.

Coryjoe

[johntulle]

The below is just my personal preference, and pertains to all kits, from any supplier:

I have built several rifles from kits, and would never, ever order the kit with lock and hardware pre-inlet. First of all, the inlets can be a little too big, and second, there is NO room for moving a lock for best position on the touch hole. A little extra wood on all surfaces is very nice to have, to be able to tweak the architecture a bit.

Acer,

Thanks for adding that.  I could have said the same thing in my post. 
I don't know what happens in the machining process, but the inlets often come out slightly big on one edge or more.
 
I really meant to include all dealers in this fault, not just TRS.  They were very good to deal with.
 
Chances are most pre-inlet stocks are made after you order them, so you should be able to specify how much inletting you want.

Just another lesson learned the hard way.

John