I might have to replace this WR barrel . . . .
Does this look right to you ?
- Thread starter GriscomRun
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I can re-work the front sight or just put on a new one. But the muzzle really bothers me.
Now to find someone to brown and replace it for me.
Your thoughts please. . .
Now to find someone to brown and replace it for me.
Your thoughts please. . .
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
My thought is you’re right, that looks terrible!
DOUBLEDEUCE 1
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What is it that’s bothering you ? Is it the finish on the barrel or the file work on the sight or muzzle ? All three ? 
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My thought what was the point in the 1st place. If it shoots good just rat tail file or chains saw file . I would remove the front sight and belt sand the notches off. That would save filing down a new front sight. What does the rear sight look like
If it's not an original, myself i would overlook someone's personal touch & shoot & hunt with it. It would not bother me in the least.
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That's a common catalog front sight. Can be replaced. Another guy said grind the wings from the sight base. The barrel decoration , might just live with it , though I've never seen a decoration like it.
Rework the sight- just file away some of the protruding base which is commonly done anyway.
The barrel could be salvaged I think with some soldering or welded filling in those deep grooves and reworked back flush. ( I’m not a metal worker but recall others who have filled in metal in various ways.)
The barrel could be salvaged I think with some soldering or welded filling in those deep grooves and reworked back flush. ( I’m not a metal worker but recall others who have filled in metal in various ways.)
How does it shoot?
sportster73hp
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Hacksaw and a quality square !?
I'm more into function than aesthetics. If it shot well I personally wouldn't mess with it.
This appears to be an example of an application of decorative file work that didn't turn out as much of a work of "art". The simple approach is to ignore that less than pleasing file work until the accuracy of the barrel is determined. If the accuracy is acceptable, there are a few choices. First is to ignore the file work and treat the file work as part of the history of the rifle. Second is to shorten the barrel by an inch or so at the muzzle and by filing out the notches or replace the front sight with one without notches. Replacing the barrel is far too drastic and unnecessary.
The things people do... It also looks like they didn't draw file the mill marks off the barrel before that botched finish was applied. At least some of that notching can be mitigated to an extent when refinishing. There is plenty of meat on that front sight. Set it and remove the offending appendages while correcting the other stuff.
user 34300
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I'd shorten the barrel to eliminate the foolishness. Fix the sight for sure. Once I have a rifle sighted in I dress the front sight down to the diagonal flats with a milling machine. At least the sight was not staked with a center punch. What other "decorations" were done that poor rifle?
DOUBLEDEUCE 1
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If it shoots well, live with it. If you have just got to file something, file the wings off the base of the sight. Otherwise, you’ll always be able to spot your rifle in a rack full of other rifles. Nothing wrong with that.
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but I would have passed on doing something like this to one of mine.
Thank you for all the useful and meaningful comments. Seems Mulebrain got to the most important thing right off.
This rifle does shoot well. And I'm still testing it. So far it has been nicely consistent.
The front sight is factory original and has not been touched yet. Once I get the load and patch, then I'll remove it and take off the wings.
In time I may take Indy's advice and re-do the barrel brown.
This rifle does shoot well. And I'm still testing it. So far it has been nicely consistent.
The front sight is factory original and has not been touched yet. Once I get the load and patch, then I'll remove it and take off the wings.
In time I may take Indy's advice and re-do the barrel brown.
Perhaps if you trued up the notches so they are the same, then filled them with metal of a contrasting color it wouldn't look bad...
What’s exactly wrong with the gun? That someone decorative notches in the barrel and sight? If it shoots good, ego cares? Why be lie all the other boys and girls? If it’s offensive, why did you buy the gun? Looks kind of cool. Ignore the snarky ones… there’s a lot of snark and bloviation on this forum.
