Dropped Dragoon?

ajbennettnc · Dec 19, 2024

Got this Colt's Dragoon repro in an auction. Muzzle is slanted; I believe it must have fallen, maybe from a horse. I want to shoot it. Anybody got any ideas about whether this muzzle damage makes it dangerous to shoot? I figure it would need recrowning to make it accurate, but safety is the first concern. Thinking I could just saw it back a bit. The barrel isn't crooked, from what I can tell. Anybody have experience with muzzle damage like this on a percussion revolver? Thanks in advance for advice.

2 shots · Dec 19, 2024

seems that was more than a fall , unless the barrel is made of lead

if its only the outside just file it [ outside edge not front] flush again.you will have to measure the inside ,cant really see it in your picture. can you post a pic of barrel from the front?does the bore look round??

earlwb · Dec 19, 2024

I agree. Did someone hammer on the barrel? It looks like it has a lip on the outside edge but what about the inside bore edge too? It may have a lip on it too. I think you need to find a gunsmith to redo the barrel muzzle on that gun.

Jappo · Dec 19, 2024

Can you remove the barrel ? Looks like it was pounded in.

ajbennettnc · Dec 19, 2024

Thanks for input! Good points all, and i appreciate it.
I'll mess it more over the next few days and get y'all some better pictures. The muzzle bore itself looks ok and round, but I will measure it with calipers to check. Jappo, I'll try to remove the barrel and see if I can.

morehops52 · Dec 19, 2024

I could be wrong and I hope I am but to me the barrel looks like it could be bulged a little. Did you mic the barrel at all?

Whitworth · Dec 20, 2024

My guess is someone who shouldn't own a hammer did it while pounding out a stuck ball. YMMV

D Yager · Dec 20, 2024

Here's some other things to check, how does the wedge fit, tight or loose and floppy? Judging by the muzzle damage someone was either trying to get barrel off of it wasn't going back together and a don't force it get a bigger hammer frame of mind came into play. This pistol is most likely a Uberti but if it isn't it will most likely ...98% positive.. the arbor is short and possibly loose or out of square with the frame. A tip on getting the barrel off, grab the barrel in one hand and whack the cylinder with a PLASTIC mallet a few times. It should start to move. Did I mention the wedge needs to be out? PM me if you have any questions about having work done on this pistol.

2 shots · Dec 20, 2024

some folks just should not own guns or tools. :doh:

Jappo · Dec 20, 2024

2 shots said:
some folks just should not own guns or tools.

That's a shame that was done to a Dragoon..

Jappo · Dec 20, 2024

D Yager said:
Here's some other things to check, how does the wedge fit, tight or loose and floppy? Judging by the muzzle damage someone was either trying to get barrel off of it wasn't going back together and a don't force it get a bigger hammer frame of mind came into play. This pistol is most likely a Uberti but if it isn't it will most likely ...98% positive.. the arbor is short and possibly loose or out of square with the frame. A tip on getting the barrel off, grab the barrel in one hand and whack the cylinder with a PLASTIC mallet a few times. It should start to move. Did I mention the wedge needs to be out? PM me if you have any questions about having work done on this pistol.

Yep, I think there were only two makers. Uberti or ASM. I could be wrong buts thats all I've seen. I have an ASM 1st model and the 2nd - 3rd are Uberti as is my Whitneyville.

hawkeye2 · Dec 20, 2024

Not the way to adjust the barrel/cylinder gap.

If the bore is OK shoot it and go from there. It might only take a little file work. Since it's a repro you could shorten the barrel slightly if needed and no one would notice.

Jappo · Dec 20, 2024

I would at least crown it. The outside is just cosmetic. Nothing a finishing file can't fix.

deerstalkert · Dec 20, 2024

Whitworth said:
My guess is someone who shouldn't own a hammer did it while pounding out a stuck ball. YMMV

my first thought was there are people who shouldn't get nourishment.
without better pictures and a new pair of eyes to see them, It looks like maybe it could be fixed by a 1/4 inch amputation and re-crown.

Malamute · Dec 20, 2024

You can true it up relatively simply. Ive used the Lee case trimmer guides, find one close enough to your bore that it can be turned down (can probably get by with a drill press and file/sandpaper) to just slip into the bore, attach the cutter. Use black sharpie to dye the muzzle, insert guide and cutter. Only gently turn the cutter to indicate where its high, carefully file, recheck until square. The crown on many was very nearly non-existent, but you can crown it by several methods. If the bore is affected, it will have to be cleaned up first to allow the bore diameter pilot to slip in. The outside can be cleaned up to look good.

Ive cut rifle barrels down with this method, it works reasonably well.

SDSmlf · Dec 20, 2024

I would start by checking the bore with precision gauge pins.

D Yager · Dec 20, 2024

Jappo said:
Yep, I think there were only two makers. Uberti or ASM. I could be wrong buts thats all I've seen. I have an ASM 1st model and the 2nd - 3rd are Uberti as is my Whitneyville.

So far I've worked on Uberti, ASM and Armi San Paolo Walkers. Also seen one or two from Palmetto but they might be just an importer. Quality runs from from really good to pretty awful. Every one had a short arbor.

M. De Land · Dec 20, 2024

ajbennettnc said:
Got this Colt's Dragoon repro in an auction. Muzzle is slanted; I believe it must have fallen, maybe from a horse. I want to shoot it. Anybody got any ideas about whether this muzzle damage makes it dangerous to shoot? I figure it would need recrowning to make it accurate, but safety is the first concern. Thinking I could just saw it back a bit. The barrel isn't crooked, from what I can tell. Anybody have experience with muzzle damage list this on a percussion revolver? Thanks in advance for advice.

I'd pull the loading rod, chuck it in my lathe head stock, dial indicate the bore and turn a new crown. It can be done just as well in a padded vice with fine tooth mill file and a bore square and spotting fluid. It should also be checked with a plug gauge of proper diameter to detect any bore diameter inconsistency.

russellshaffer · Dec 20, 2024

If it was mine I would take it and shoot it some. It may be just fine and you can just file the mushroom off. If it won't shoot well then you can try to fix things better. Or hang it on the wall or just give it to someone you don't like.

M. De Land · Saturday at 12:20 AM

russellshaffer said:
If it was mine I would take it and shoot it some. It may be just fine and you can just file the mushroom off. If it won't shoot well then you can try to fix things better. Or hang it on the wall or just give it to someone you don't like.

I'd give it a home ! It will need re-crowned as from the picture I'm sure the bore is distorted at the crown and the barrel may be bent.
I'm thinking it may have come out of some ones holster while mounted and hit end on a big rock!

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