Question regarding ordering custom barrels-

[Rolf]

I get the impression when ordering a custom made barrel, delivery times are very uncertain and can often take over a year. When ordering a barrel, do you usally pay  down payment on the order? If so, whats the usual amount?

Best regards

Rolfkt

[keweenaw]

Rolfkt,

Ed Rayl typically takes about 4-6 months on custom orders that aren't too strange.   It may be faster with pistol barrels.  On U.S. orders Ed typically doesn't charge a deposit, I guess he figures if you don't want it someone else will. When he has the barrels done he sends along a bill, when he get the money he sends along the barrel. I don't know what his policy is on international orders.   He's great to deal with and well worth giving a call to get what you want and he probably has a barrel profile already that is close to what you want.


Tom

[Tim Crosby]

 Try posting what you are looking for, someone may have one they are willing to part with and it will cut down on the wait time. Although shipping may be a problem, don't know.

 Tim C,

[rich pierce]

Make sure you need a custom barrel first.  There are a lot of nice off-the-shelf barrels out there.  I only "need" a custom barrel when the gun I have planned is unusual.  Like a Hudson Valley fowler with a 54" barrel, or maybe a special octagon to round barrel to closely replicate an original smooth rifle, etc.

Next, don't take one person's recommendation that Maker "1" normally delivers within 3-6 months.  I have waited over a year from nearly all the makers that have been mentioned.  Sometimes more; a lot more.  Sure, a customer may place an order when the guy is set up for something like that and doesn't have a backlog, and get a barrel in 3 months.  Next time, could be 18 months.  Not kidding; not complaining either.

Some makers want a 50% deposit or so to start on a barrel, and when they do, it's a good sign you may get your barrel within 6 months.  If they are not asking for money, then they probably have a big backlog and know they won't be able to fill your order "soon".

The only way to "fix" this is for prices to go up 20% or so.  Demand would go down and delivery times would, too.  I can wait.  There are a lot of fine off the shelf barrels out there to keep me busy building while waiting for a custom one to come in.

[Rolf]

I 'd to like build a target flintlock pistol with a 15" long, slim, swamped, octagonal, 0.40caliber barrel, double set triggers, iron fittings and a cast pewter nose cap. Will probably use a small siler lock (I wish they came lefthanded). Hope to start next year, after I 've finished the pair of pistols I'm working on now.

No such barrel on the market. Ed Rayl seems the best option. I'll try to contact him.

Best regards
Rolfkt

[David Veith]

First let me say Ed Is a good person But make sure he has all of your info somewhere he will not lose it. Many years ago I order one from him and knowing how long it take him to get one done didn't bother him for over a year. Called him and he said it was going to be done soon. Called 6 months letter asking about it. He had sold it.  He was mad at me. For not calling about it sooner. An here I thought I would get a note or barrel with a bill that it was done.
May be it was just my bad luck with him. I know friends get barrels from him all of the time with no problem.
David Veith

[Blackpowder Barbie]

Hey Rolfkt, if a 13" swamped barrel in 45, 50, or 54 caliber would work for you I have some of Ed's on the shelf right now.  I order larger quantities from him and my wait time is usually 8 months or so.  I did hear this past weekend though that he is back down to a one man show so I expect his wait time to go up again.  Have patience folks, they are good when you get them!   

[Madcaster]

 I ordered one about 4 years back from a guy,when I got it I looked down the top flat,it took a weird curve to the left about 1/3 of the way out.
 So all I can say is to take a minute and look down all the barrel profiles,make sure they are correct.
 I sent this one back,never even got an apology from the barrelmaker.I know everyone makes mistakes,but an apology would show me that he realized a mistake and would be on the lookoutr top makle sure it did not happen again.

[Rolf]

Thanks for your offer Barbie, but they are not quite what I'm looking for.
The barrel I'd like is 15" long, 13/16" at breech, tapers down to 10/16 about 10"- 12" from the breech and flares out to 12/16" at the muzzel.

Best regards

Rolfkt

[Blackpowder Barbie]

Yep, I am 1/8" to big for you - oh well!

[SR James]

I spoke with Ed last week and he is indeed down to a one man operation.  He's had my barrel for reboring since early March and it's
supposed to be done this week.  And he had misplaced my paperwork, so it was a good thing I called about it.  None of this should be read as a complaint.  He's a good guy and I know the barrel will be done right when it comes in.