Bought a oddly designed 22lr barrel, need advice.

M

Personally I wouldn't shoot it.

If they are reputable they should refund your money. If they are not, they should be sued if/when someone loses a finger or eye. That is probably an exaggeration, but I wouldn't bet my fingers that there isn't enough energy in a 22LR to blow out the case and hurt me.

I appreciate the advice. I’m unsure what my next step is. Apparently there aren’t any refunds. It shoots well so far.

I have over the years blown out 22 cases when dealing with gun issues on problematic pistols. I knew they potentially could blow out but I was alone and the ejection port was facing away from me. So in a controlled environment I know that they are not that dangerous because of the small powder charge. 
If you shoot that pistol and rupture a case you risk fragments hitting the shooter to your right in the face. When Marvels first came out they bulged cases but not even close to what your pictures are showing. That barrel is unsafe.
You should ask for a full refund. It is poorly designed and they are asking for trouble.
Jon

.

Question: are you shooting standard velocity stuff? Maybe I missed that!

Yessir mostly. Shot a box of CCI minimags through it but mainly it’s been CCI SV. In the photos, there is a mix of CCI SV, fed automatch, Norma match, and aguila SE

I have the same condition with a Sig 220 22 conversion.  All cases bulge down into the unsupported area of the feed ramp.  I sent pictures to Sig. Sig refused to acknowledge any problem.   I am stuck with it. 

Also the conversion is the only gun I have that needed a real break-in with HV before it would shoot SV.  And another was the extractor spring was too strong for complete closing in battery without a push.  I clipper the spring back to fix that. 
It now shoots SV just fine but every case is bulged.  Though not as bad as HV  No more HV in that gun. 

If I did not like the Sig 220 and other P series I got, I would be through with Sig.  The 220 and a 228 are both mid 90s German made.  They are good guns.  More recent Sigs I got, decent but not like the Germans.

Just curious why they would do that for feeding problems. Mark series do not have feeding issues. I do not think I would shoot that barrel either. Good luck on your quest with it. Hope all ends well for you.
I figure you do not want to mention the company, but a company like that needs to be known about.

Did you pay for the barreled action with a credit card? If so I would seek a chargeback even if it's been several months. It's obviously not safe and your CC company should do the right thing since they company isn't standing behind their product. That's another reason I use CC's for everything I can, the $1k a year in cash back is also nice lol.

I think you need to share that barrel maker name.  It is not about shaming them as much as it is about making sure that the Bullseye community stays safe from potential injury.

There is absolutely zero excuse for what you are having to deal with.

That barrel is not “oddly designed”, it is poorly designed and unsafe.  If you value the well being of the people you shoot with and those who might be affected if you are injured, then remove the barrel and seek a refund via your payment processor if the maker will not give you one.

Many years ago I bought a rather high dollar 22 sporter. A lovely rifle in every way except that the extractor cut was a hair too deep and the cases bulged a little. Not nearly as bad as the ones you show. I chose to ignore this little problem and sure enough, a case ruptured and deposited a tiny piece of brass smack in the middle of my right pupil. After getting my eye fixed, I notified the company who reacted immediately and re barreled the rifle. My passion for it had flown and I sold it upon its return.
This was a case of quality control at a very reputable company. However it looks like you have a real hack job on your hands. This is unfortunate. I wouldn’t shoot it of course. I hope you can get some satisfaction from the manufacturer.

jstanfield103 wrote:I figure you do not want to mention the company, but a company like that needs to be known about.

Hello,

MaddMacs Precision Tactical.  I have seen one of these in the flesh....total p.o.s..  They are hacks.

Jim

If it functions and shoots accurately I'd go ahead and shoot it. I really don't see much danger in using it. The worst that could happen is the round has a blow out and since we're only talking about 22 rounds I don't think it would blow the grips off or the mag out or setting the waiting round off. I've had this happen with a 45 round on me. Broke the grips, blackened my hand and made the magazine spring bad.

NCI!

Also not interested in buying one, but was intrigued by the thread. Sounds bloody dangerous to me!

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Larry2520 wrote:If it functions and shoots accurately I'd go ahead and shoot it. I really don't see much danger in using it. The worst that could happen is the round has a blow out and since we're only talking about 22 rounds I don't think it would blow the grips off or the mag out or setting the waiting round off. I've had this happen with a 45 round on me. Broke the grips, blackened my hand and made the magazine spring bad.

Larry,

I guess you missed the part above where a guy had a 22 case rupture and shot a piece of brass into his eye. That's the danger.

zanemoseley wrote:Larry,

I guess you missed the part above where a guy had a 22 case rupture and shot a piece of brass into his eye. That's the danger.

+1, not worth the risk no matter how slight!  13,000psi can create some nice little brass shrapnel.

I was shooting a match one time and the guy to my left had a case rupture on a 22 cartridge. I had a piece of brassnel cut my cheek. So this pistol is marginally safe on its best day. Just not worth it!
Jon

radjag wrote:eXtremely Bad Ass

Well, at least guy was honest in naming his product - "bad ass" on each case is indeed.  I'd write it off on R&D.
Looking forward to Len chiming in on this, - he has a great perspective on things like this!

AP

My perspective. Tongue in cheek I would have to say the brass doesn't look any worse then Glock brass. I also note that the bulge is on the bottom so unlikely to blowout right side. Unlikely is not the same as impossible. If I were so inclined to try and save my 400 bucks the first thing I would try is a stronger recoil spring. I have seen bulges like that in blowback 22's when the slide comes back too easy with hotter ammo. A weak spring with SV could do the same thing.

Len

One other thing that should be mentioned. The extractor or extra metal could be holding case away from barrel face. Do a plop test and also inspect to see if it is being held away. I looked at the super blown up pics and bullet should have rim touching all the way around. Not should but could if not being held away by something. An ammo change might even help. I see you have tried some. Not all rims are the same.

Glock brass

Thanks for the replies everyone. It is indeed a Maddmacs XBAR. I’m not satisfied at all, unfortunately. I thought I was at first, but after seeing others and learning more, it appears I bought a total POS. I may have to dispute the charge as others have requested. There is a strict no refund policy as of now. But I know a few other unsatisfied individuals with barrels much worse than mine. We are waiting to see someone else’s build that is soon to come, for more info.

I know of two others where the cartridge has blown out of the extractor slot. I refuse to sell the upper. I might just cut it up, I’m so frustrated. It also has a loose frame to receiver lock up. I’ve been using a gel insert in the locking block to keep it from wiggling around under recoil.

Wow that is some impressively poor construction and for no reason.