So a while back I filed a form 1 to SBR my 556xi.
Months went by and I got approval (yay).
However...
I can't find anywhere that sells a wrench to take the barrel off so I can have it cut.
I considered simply sending the whole damn upper in... but with the 556xi, the upper is the serialized part. So if I send in the whole thing as-is... the company that does the cutting will be the ones actually (legally) creating the SBR.
Found a place or two that say I can send it in to them AFTER I get the barrel chopped off some (ie. not a pretty cut - just a ragged cut so it's shorter than 16") - then they would finish it... thread it... etc..

So I took a saws-all to it with a heavy duty metal bit.
It scratched the finish.
That's it.
It didn't even begin to cut the actual metal.

So.. anyone have suggestions for getting this barrel chopped down?

Cutting down a chrome lined barrel is not something to leave to anyone that doesn't know exactly what they are doing. I saw on another forum that "ADCO" had the proper tooling for 556 barrel work. You might do a google search around to see if there are others with 556 experience and choose the best one for you.

Don't ruin a good rifle by rushing into a barrel chop!!

Did a quick search. Maybe one of these guys:
http://www.pendergraftgunworks.com/

OR

AD Custom: Arnold Dew 910-308-0680

I wouldn't worry about the chrome given what you are doing, its a nonissue.
I'm not sure what tools you have access to but my preferred choices would be:
metal cutting cut off saw
metal cutting bandsaw
correct media on a portable cutoff tool (if your going to buy a tool this will be the cheapest choice)
I have no idea why your sawsall won't do it, but I'm going to say bad blade choice. Try something else. if that's the only tool choice you have I'll try cutting a barrel to see what works but I don't have any personal experience using one for that. This is not hardened steel. Heck for what you want just plasma cutting it would be fine.
In any case if you don't have any other choices almost any local metal shop will.
j

5 inch grinder and a bunch of cut off wheels would do it.

any size will do (if the op needs to buy one, suggest 4.5) and you won't need more than one cutoff wheel.

I sent mine to ADCO, quality work, had it I ingraved before they did it. No issues.

Tromix sells a wrench for the 556xi barrel nut:

http://www.tromix.com/sig-sauer-556xi-parts.html

quote:

Originally posted by Exodus:
Tromix sells a wrench for the 556xi barrel nut:

http://www.tromix.com/sig-sauer-556xi-parts.html

No they do not.
I called them up to try and order it... they stopped carrying them a year or two ago.
That page is old and they simply have not deleted it yet.

Thanks all for the suggestions - I'll likely try the grinder route

ADCO is gtg
Communication is through email only

Write them and ask

I use them without hesitation
Turn around is fast

If they get your upper disassembled that would be the time to reconsider a different assembly that takes srd tools

Ok so got an update on this for anyone who cares.

Friend gave me a dremel for xmas.

I put the cutting bit on it and attacked the barrel.
I can't say that it went through it like butter...
but holy shit the barrel is now 2 inches shorter!

I can now (finally) send this thing in to get properly chopped/threaded.