Plugging barrel ports

[Lancel]

I want to plug the ports in a stainless steel revolver barrel.

My plan is to use J-B Weld to plug the ports leaving a little space above the bore to keep the rifling clear.

Although I'm using J-B Weld because of it's adhesion and high temperature characteristics, I've got some concerns:

Will hot muzzle gases erode the plug and eventually blow it loose?

Will turbulence (or whatever) from the space left at the bottom of the ports have some adverse effect on accuracy (like an uneven muzzle crown does)?

I'd appreciate any comments or thoughts on this or any other way of plugging the ports.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[HSMITH]

Nope, it will blow out and become a hazard to you and anyone else that might be around. A plug of JB Weld could kill someone....

Tap the holes and plug them with set screws, and permanent thread locker.

 

[Lancel]

Thanks HSMITH,

Actually set screws were my first thought too; should have stuck with it. Glad I asked about the plug.

Reference to the thread locker, won't the heat melt Loctite?

Larry,

 

[mete]

Loctite and most epoxys break loose at about 400F

 

[HSMITH]

There are thread lockers that are solid WELL over 400*, you also have to remember that it is barrel temperature we are talking about and not the microsecond flash that goes by each time you shoot it. If you can get a pistol to 400* you have too many magazines and too much ammo and too many people helping you attempt to tear up a perfectly good gun.

 

[Volpe]

Well, all I can tell you is what a gunsmith told me once. I wanted to plug the holes on the end of a winchester guide gun in .444 marlin with screws. He said no. I'm not a gunsmith just a tinkerer but I thought they would hold and he didnt so I didnt do it. Hope this dosnt confuse ya anymore....

 

[Lancel]

HSMITH & mete:
Thread locker, 400*F, revolver barrel temperature not a problem. Got it, Thanks.

Volpe:
"gunsmith ... said no"
I think the thread locker is the insurance on the set screws. But it may turn out to be a moot point. One of my problems is that there is not a quality gunsmith in my area. Thought I found one only to read a week later Oleg's post about a gunsmith butchering his rifle.
It was the same guy.

If I have to ship the pistol out of the area, I might just get it rebarreled instead. But what I'm favoring right now is following HSMITH by using my own work bench and a hand tap, set screws, and thread locker.

But I'm happy to get more input if someone else has it.

Larry