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submitted 2 weeks ago by Skanda@fosscad.io to c/3D2A@fosscad.io

Hello everyone.

I've been following the community for many years and have built a few models thanks to the superb information provided by everyone.

I know this topic keeps coming up especially for non-American makers.

I'm familiar with ECM, I've done the FGC-9 and it turned out very well. I've tried the .22 rifling button from the guy in Ukraine with dubious results (I've NEVER seen rifling buttons on AliExpress). I can see the marks, but I'm not certain they're deep enough. This was for a Harlot build. I then did a .22 barrel for the Dirty Harry build using ECM with mandrels in the Professional Damage ECM Pack. I think that turned out quite well and was surprisingly easy.

I've used 12 mm OD 5.5 mm ID hydraulic pipe from AliExpress which seem to be readily available, but I was trying to find a suitable pipe with a smaller OD.

The best source I've seen is McMaster which carries a 3/8 inch, 0.216" ID which is rated for 15000 psi which seems perfect, but it's like 80 bucks a foot and I haven't even looked at shipping outside America.

I have not found any pipe on AliExpress with a 5.5 mm ID less than 12 mm. I usually look for 42crmo or 'explosion proof' in the description.

I do have access to a small lathe. How safe would it be to turn down 12x5.5 explosion-proof tube to say 8 mm OD for a .22 barrel? Would it support the pressure?

TIA

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[-] johndoe@forum.guncadindex.com 1 points 1 week ago

You're welcome.

With rifling buttons you need at least 1x the diameter as wall thickness.

So for 9x19, you'll need a tube with 8.8mm inner diameter and at least 1 inch outer diameter.

Industrial 9mm barrels are deep drilled into 30mm and sometimes 35mm thick CrMo rods, rifled and then turned down to their final diameter.

That's why ECM is so interesting commercially and also for DIY.

Btw. barrels are rifled in QT condition where tensile strength is highest. They are then, after rifling, stress relieved in vacuum furnaces.

Mark Serbu has some videos on Rumble about the process.

this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
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