AS we ALL know, a barrel only has to be 8-11 inches long, no porting,light, and should only cost 10 bucks, because they only cost 5 bucks to make.
Whatever.
I would like to see AGD put out a premium barrel, preferably in a set of small, medium and large bores, specifically tuned to the RT valve, in the appropriate length. I think the following considerations should be made, over and above the "minimum" requirements for efficiency.
1: Some porting to quiet the barrel down.
2: Stainless steel back for durability and wear characteristics, although I am no big fan of 2-piece barrels. I just feel I get a lot more wear-life out of my SS than Aluminum or brass. This applies only to 1/4 turn, not threaded type connections.
3: Some study should be done to determine what type of porting, or none porting, cleans the best when shooting through a break. For instance, my Lapcos, both SS and Aluminum, clean almost instantly, followed closely by my old J&J chrome. The RT stock tube, Boomstick, and Freak clean after about 30 shots, and the stock Mini-mag and old-style AA never cleans out. Never.
4: A truly unique look. Nothing goofy or too trendy, but something that when you look at it, you know it is good. Like a Ferrari Engine...you see it, and you know it's special.
5: Intelligent Marketing. I understand that the Gun manufactures have a tough time with stock barrels, but when sold as a "specially tuned" high performance part, like the Super-bolt, I believe the price point could be higher, and the public would not view it as a simple stock part.
Now, I know what you are going to say: There is already a perfectly good barrel that comes with your RT. Well, I'm sitting here looking at one now, and it is not nearly as good a quality (finish) as most of my other tubes. There is a definate matte quality down the inside of the barrel, and the tip regularly cuts paint. The Mini-mag barrel is good and accurate, but way too load. Why draw attention to yourself on the field? Here is an old Crown-point that shot O.K., but I always have to put this friggin' o-ring on the tip so it won't ring like a bell.
So far the perfect barrel has been my Freak, or better yet, my Lapco when the paint matches.
I would much rather have a beautiful set of AGD barrels, maybe at 230 dollars for a set of 4 sizes, that I know has good, solid AGD research behind it.
Just a thought,
Brent Jackson, PFB.
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