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How to Dimple a Barrel

Whether you are looking to give your rifle a new finish or are interested in the benefits of a dimpled barrel, creating small indents in the barrel's surface may benefit you. Creating the dimples does not require that you create holes in the barrel; rather, it makes slight indentations over the surface. Dimpling the barrel aids in cooling the metal quickly after a shot has been fired, which prevents the heat from building up at a rapid rate. This lack of excess heat prevents heat-related degradation to the barrel over time, helping your barrel last longer.

Things You'll Need

4-hole gas block dimpling jig
Felt-tipped pen
Pointed set screw
Soft-point screw
Stationary clamp
Protective eyewear
Drill bit, 11/64-inch
Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the barrel from your firearm. Place the gas block dimpling jig around the barrel. Mark the points on the barrel that you want to dimple, using a felt-tipped pen.
- 2
  Push the jig's pointed set screw through one of the two top holes on the jig. Repeat the process with the soft-point screw. Tighten both screws into place so that they center the jig around the barrel.
- 3
  Flip the assembly over so the screws are at the bottom. Stabilize the barrel by tightening a stationary clamp around the jig.
- 4
  Don your protective eyewear. Your eyewear should cover your eyes and seal tightly around your orbital cavities. This will prevent any debris from ricocheting and hitting you in any place that could damage your sight.
- 5
  Place the drill bit in the drill and place the bit in the hole at the top of the dimpling jig. Start the drill and hold it steady to create the dimple. Create only a shallow scoop in the original surface. Do not drill completely through the barrel.
- 6
  Repeat the process as many times as necessary to create the number of required dimples.

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