Installing A Shotgun Barrel Bead

Bead selection on a shotgun depends on usage. Bead sizes vary, as do their thread sizes and typically range from 3- 56, 4-40, 5-40 and 6-48. Bead material may include steel, brass, ivory, aluminum or transparent types. Once the bead selection has been made, choose the proper tap and drill, and then the method of drilling and tapping. Locating, Drilling and Tapping Use of a milling machine or a good drill press with the barrel held in a firmly padded milling vise is a good choice.

With the barrel held in the milling vise, I use a 36 inch straight edge to locate top dead center for the screw hole and then carefully mark from both sides of center. From there I align the drill chuck directly over the mark and use a small center drill to start the hole. Bottom I then switch to the proper tap drill and make the hole. The drill chuck is then used to guide the tap as the threads are cut. Caution should be exercised to avoid tap breakage. Advance the tap just a half turn at a time and then back off.

Shotgun barrel steel is not particularly hard but care must be used as the hole is tapped. It is best to use a drop of tapping fluid for the job.

Extreme care must be used or a simple job like this can ruin a good barrel. Setting The Barrel Bead Having used the correct tap, it’s time to try the thread. The bead is easy to lose, so turn the thread in place over a flat surface as you check for thread fit and a depth. An overlength thread must be shortened to barrel thickness. Finally, I use some form of thread bonding as the bead Complete your American Gunsmith collection. Or read up on a special subject! A limited number of the following