I don't know anything about old guns. I bought a model 1917 Colt .45ACP revolver (manufactured 1917 or 1918) and fired about 100 rounds through it of PMC Bronze 230gr, velocity 830 fps. There is now a bulge in the barrel close to where it joins the frame and a longitudinally oriented, shallow crack. Is this surprising? Did I do anything wrong? Could a replacement barrel be fitted at reasonable cost?
Colt M1917 .45ACP revolver - cracked barrel
- Thread starter duns
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45_auto
Member
That would depend on what you consider "reasonable". Do you have a dollar figure in mind?
I didn't notice the defects after buying the gun. I think I would have noticed the crack had it been there. I might have missed the bulging because it is very slight. I only saw the bulging after I saw the crack and then looked at the area concerned very closely. So bulging might have been preexisting, but the crack I think not.
I paid $450 for the gun, so reasonable would need to be quite a bit less than that otherwise I might just as well buy another.
ApacheCoTodd
member
I wonder if it's been in a fire. Also may have been weakened by a PO's squib/follow on shot. Either way I'd get the frame and cylinder checked out by a qualified gunsmith.
Jim Watson
Member
A bulge and a crack are signs that a stuck bullet (or other obstruction) was shot out.
Either you had some very bad PMC or you bought a gun that was already ruined and did not notice the damage. ("I don't know anything about old guns")
Replacing a revolver barrel is a gunsmith job, once you have found a barrel for a 95 year old gun.
Either you had some very bad PMC or you bought a gun that was already ruined and did not notice the damage. ("I don't know anything about old guns")
Replacing a revolver barrel is a gunsmith job, once you have found a barrel for a 95 year old gun.
Ghost Tracker
Member
I've seen barrels somewhere for that particular revolver in the last 18 months. Sorry but OGD ("Old Guy's Disease") is keeping me from pinpointing the source. Maybe "Sarco" or "Numrich"? That's a fun wheel gun, I hope you can get it rollin' again. Let us know how things work out. Good Luck!
Gordon
Member
I'll sell you a 2" nicely blued one with sight for $100+ ship.
dprice3844444
member
check e-sarcoinc.com for parts or numrich arms.
http://www.lsgmfg.com/ take it to this guy in plano texas for evaluation.he is a smith warrany station but works on others.
http://www.coltparts.com/parts1.html
http://www.lsgmfg.com/ take it to this guy in plano texas for evaluation.he is a smith warrany station but works on others.
http://www.coltparts.com/parts1.html
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RevolvingGarbage
Member
How much barrel is behind the crack/ bulge? If you are going to swap barrels anyway, you might as well try using what's left of the one you have. Just cut it and see if it hits where you aim.
dprice3844444
member
dude,don't be cheap,med bills are expensive.the gun maybe salvageable with just a barrel replacement.send it to a qualified smith first to determine if the frame in the thread area is still safe/salvageable first.
Thanks. I will check out the sources for a new barrel. Anyone know roughly what a gunsmith would charge for fitting anew barrel to an M1917?
Vern Humphrey
Member
I'll buy it from you for what you paid, less the cost of a new barrel, and eat the installation cost.
dprice3844444
member
duns,that's what they make telephones for
Thanks for the offer but I'm going to look out for a new barrel and have it repaired.
It's also why they make forums like this. Thanks though for your post #10, which gave details of some possible resources for a new barrel and gunsmithing.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Rats! If the rest of you guys hadn't chimed in, he'd have fallen for it.
Before you invest in a barrel, have a gunsmith WITH THE PROPER TOOLS remove the old barrel and carefully check out the frame. If the barrel was bulged that close to the frame from an obstruction, it might have cracked or bulged the frame also, in which case the gun is a paperweight. If the frame checks out OK, I think it would not be too hard to find a barrel.
And no matter what anyone tells you, do NOT try to remove that barrel yourself unless you have the proper action wrench inserts; the frame is easily bent into something resembling a pretzel if one attempts to remove the barrel without the proper tools.
Jim
And no matter what anyone tells you, do NOT try to remove that barrel yourself unless you have the proper action wrench inserts; the frame is easily bent into something resembling a pretzel if one attempts to remove the barrel without the proper tools.
Jim
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It hadn't occurred to me that the bulging might have extended to the frame, so I will indeed check with a gunsmith before buying a new barrel. I had to google "action wrench inserts" - and now know what are action frame wrenches and inserts. Thanks for informative post.
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