Pistol barrel from old rifle barrel.

Hammerschild 74 · Dec 2, 2024

Evening Gents, I have an old CVA barrel .50 cal. The breech end is in bad shape. Heavy corrosion and pitting inside and out. It clears up just forward of the lock plate. I have a pistol stock and lock ( percussion) that's also CVA. The barrel fits the channel. I'm think of cutting the barrel to fit the pistol. It's it as straight forward as making a cut and installing a breech plug and drum? Or an I opening a can of worms best left closed?

Newly O’Brian · Dec 2, 2024

Sure it can done, just don't expect to save the old breech plug.

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 2, 2024

The other thing is a rifle barrel twist isn't as fast as a barrel made for a pistol. OTOH, I'm currently building a flintlock pistol using a 12" piece from a new GM 45 cal barrel. I've ask and some say the accuracy is fine....others say it's not good.

I figure if the accuracy is bad, I'll put on a new Rice pistol barrel.

Dave Dworshak · Dec 2, 2024

Turn it into a smooth bore?

Hammerschild 74 · Dec 2, 2024

Newly O’Brian said:
Sure it can done, just don't expect to save the old breech plug.

Oh no, the old breech plug is beyond salvaging.

Uncle Miltie · Dec 2, 2024

The rifling twist on a rifle barrel is much slower than a pistol barrel.
For an accurate load you will need a heavier powder charge than if you used a pistol barrel with a faster twist.

Norman Brooks · Dec 3, 2024

Done it. Got one done out of two. 7/8 .50cal 8" long. Instead of scraping them maybe I can sell them.

Hammerschild 74 · Dec 3, 2024

Norman Brooks said:
Done it. Got one done out of two. 7/8 .50cal 8" long. Instead of scraping them maybe I can sell them.

The octagon to round is very cool. I was considering that. How do you determine the proper size breech plug?

Norman Brooks · Dec 3, 2024

Hammerschild 74 said:
The octagon to round is very cool. I was considering that. How do you determine the proper size breech plug?

Made it 5/8-18 due to octagon being 7/8 across the flats. Which is the same thread that all 7/8 .50cal barrels have, I think.

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 3, 2024

Hammerschild 74 said:
The octagon to round is very cool. I was considering that. How do you determine the proper size breech plug?

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/659/1/plug-ft-14-5

Rebel bull · Dec 3, 2024

I have done 1. but the last one I did was a a short barreled short stock rifle for the grandkids and I had the make the new plug and bolster just like the factory one. If you are determined to cut the breech completely off I would like the breech with the plug and the bolster

Hammerschild 74 · Dec 3, 2024

ChuckJonesWagon said:
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/659/1/plug-ft-14-5

The parts I have for the pistol are hook breech but I appreciate it

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 3, 2024

Hammerschild 74 said:
The parts I have for the pistol are hook breech but I appreciate it

If you have the hook breach components you can make a new plug using a stainless bolt you can pick up at the hardware store.

Chuck Tiller · Dec 3, 2024

Where do you get the TAPS for these sizes?

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 3, 2024

Ju

Chuck Tiller said:
Where do you get the TAPS for these sizes?

Just do a search. Amazon will deliver to your door.

1950DAVE · Dec 3, 2024

I use these folks. https://www.buyprecision.com/

Hammerschild 74 · Dec 3, 2024

ChuckJonesWagon said:
If you have the hook breach components you can make a new plug using a stainless bolt you can pick up at the hardware store.

How so?

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 3, 2024

Hammerschild 74 said:
How so?

Ok. Well, here's a pic of my self-made tang for my hook breach that I made on my last rifle. Now, hind sight I made the hook breach too thick and I'd cut the thickness in half on my next one:

Here's my breach plug for the hook breach:

Had I cut the thickness of the tang portion in half, then I could have simply used a hardware store bolt. Cutting or filing off two sides of the bolt, and shaping the "hook" portion to fit up to the tang portion.

And this was my final product. It worked out fine, but the tang thickness does not need to be that thick. (And I cut the tang down). BTW, the tang I fashioned from an old CVA barrel that I cut with a hacksaw. If you want pic's posted of that, just let me know.

PathfinderNC · Dec 3, 2024

If you cut, thread and breech the barrels for sale, you might consider proofing them first…

ChuckJonesWagon · Dec 3, 2024

PathfinderNC said:
If you cut, thread and breech the barrels for sale, you might consider proofing them first…

I don't do this. I do my own firearms.

Pistol barrel from old rifle barrel.

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