Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: Rick Villerot on April 14, 2010, 12:26:39 PM

Title: Pistol make over ?
Post by: Rick Villerot on April 14, 2010, 12:26:39 PM

I have a .45 cal octogon barreled percussion kentucky pistol, it was given to me my my uncle.

The inside of the barrel is pitted, but the out side is in great shape.

I would like to have the barrel bored out to maybe if possible .62 & smooth. Would that be possible ? ? ?

I also found a replacement flintlock that would fit the gun, I would like to remove the percussion drum & put a touch hole liner in, making it a flinter.

Does this sound like more work than what it would be worth, it would save me some cash & would put some life into an old gun that just sat around on a book case.

Thanks -Rick V.

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Post by: BEAVERMAN on April 14, 2010, 12:33:38 PM

What does the outside of the barrel measure across the flats?, being a 45 it's probably 7/8", getting to 62 from there will leave the barrel wall a might thin. you may be able to rebarrel that 45 for a lot less than boring it out and still be able to put her back to use, have you shot the gun? just because a barrel is pitted a bit does not mean it does not shoot well, one of the best tack driving rifles I've had came to me with a pitted barrel, wasn't pretty but she could hold her own in a match

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Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on April 14, 2010, 02:22:55 PM

As Beav. said if its not pitted so bad as to be totally wothless as a shooter gie it a trial.  You didn't say who the maker/seller was , FWW cains outdoor has a traditions flint in .45cal fir $149.00 . I'd clean up the bore and give it a chance . You also have to take into consideration the sight dovetails  when thinking of a rebore ?

Title: Re: Pistol make over ?
Post by: Dphariss on April 26, 2010, 01:13:59 AM

Quote from: "Rick Villerot"

I have a .45 cal octogon barreled percussion kentucky pistol, it was given to me my my uncle.

The inside of the barrel is pitted, but the out side is in great shape.

I would like to have the barrel bored out to maybe if possible .62 & smooth. Would that be possible ? ? ?

I also found a replacement flintlock that would fit the gun, I would like to remove the percussion drum & put a touch hole liner in, making it a flinter.

Does this sound like more work than what it would be worth, it would save me some cash & would put some life into an old gun that just sat around on a book case.

Thanks -Rick V.

You need to be sure you have enough wall thickness for the drum/liner if you have it reamed. If its 7/8" I would not exceed 50 caliber.
Dan

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Post by: PistolPete on May 03, 2010, 09:53:43 PM

Quote from: "BEAVERMAN"

.....just because a barrel is pitted a bit does not mean it does not shoot well....

I absolutely agree. I have a very pitted 12 ga cheap 'barn gun', and it groups as tight as a gnat's butt.

Try it before you work on it.