Convert RH flint barrel to LH

[Ken Morrison]

Could a right hand flint lock barrel be safely converted to left hand by removing the vent liner and fitting a screw to the hole and installing the vent liner in the left hand side of the barrel?
Thanks. Shoot safely.

 

[ehoff]

While it could be done, I'd cut the barrel off in front of the liner and rebreach it or buy a new barrel.

 

[Walks with fire]

Got pics??

 

[biliff]

FWIW, My Pedersoli LePage is set up pretty much the way you describe (Nock breech). Right side has the usual slotted vent liner, left side has an identical tapped hole with a threaded and slotted plug. The vent liner and plug can be interchanged. Have to be careful when cleaning to make sure I don't mix 'em up.

 

[Dave W]

Why bother? I built my Dad a couple of lefty flinters and I shoot them (right handed) all the time. Conversely, he shoots my right handed rifles (left handed) better than I do. If the rifle has any value as-is, I would just shoot it.

D

 

[Zonie]

Sure plugging the existing vent and drilling a new one on the opposite side of the barrel can be done.

Bakeoven Bill mentioned that this was the way a Nock Patent breech was made and it is also one of the methods that was used for "coning" the inside of the touch hole on barrels that did not have "vent liners".

If you decide to do this, make sure the inside end of the plug is flush with the bore, not recessed or sticking out into the bore.