Straightening an old plastic barrel

[Ryan K]

Chase,

Common problem and you have four options.
1. Metal barrel (I know you don't want this option) however if someone else went this route you can ask for their unused plastic barrel.

2. Use heat hair dryer, candle or water to bend in place.
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/160419.aspx

3. As mentioned in the link above call Tamiya for a replacement barrel, since the M41 is always in the catalog they can probably send you a replacement.

4. Scratch build the barrel from tube plastic/metal and used the kit muzzle break. Tamiya kits are favorite recommendation for starting to expand your skill set. Evergreen 226, 3/16" is a prefect match and I will bring one tube to the meeting today, plus some front tow hooks that the kit does not have.

[Charles T]

I see why everyone loves turned metal barrels, however this is a $9 kit so I refuse to go that route. I discovered one half of the barrel broke while unpackaging, but I tried to repair it while glueing the best I could. It had a pretty aggressive curve to it, so I added some solvent and tried to work it a little. This only broke the other half. I now have it glued and taped into a jig and it looks pretty rough now. I'm scared to sand it. Anyone else have this issue before or have any advice?

Thanks,
Chase