questions on what to do on bad original build

[Chevythunderman]

My buddy handed me a long rifle the other day that was built 30 years ago and I do say they did a horrible job!!! It looks like the first mistake they made was drilling the barrel in the wrong place for the percussion drum. That started the downhill slide of this rifle...Which as you can imagine with the drum being at least a 1/2"-3/4" to far forward they inlet the lock to match the drum and it also is too far forward.

My question is: Is this gun fixable or is it just a pretty wallhanger now. I can cut out a piece of maple to fit the lock inlet and triggers but the barrel is my main concern. What can be done to fix the barrel other than the obvious buying a new barrel? I've tried to get the breech plug out of the barrel to no avail too. I was thinking that if I could get the plug out I could cut the barrel down and rethread the barrel to match the drum to the right spot and cut the stock down.

Help please??
:surrender: :surrender: :surrender:

 

[ehoff]

I'd cut the barrel off in front of the drum. Fit a new plug and a new drum.

 

[Black Hand]

My buddy handed me a long rifle the other day that was built 30 years ago and I do say they did a horrible job!!! It looks like the first mistake they made was drilling the barrel in the wrong place for the percussion drum. That started the downhill slide of this rifle...Which as you can imagine with the drum being at least a 1/2"-3/4" to far forward they inlet the lock to match the drum and it also is too far forward.

My question is: Is this gun fixable or is it just a pretty wallhanger now. I can cut out a piece of maple to fit the lock inlet and triggers but the barrel is my main concern. What can be done to fix the barrel other than the obvious buying a new barrel? I've tried to get the breech plug out of the barrel to no avail too. I was thinking that if I could get the plug out I could cut the barrel down and rethread the barrel to match the drum to the right spot and cut the stock down.

Help please??
:surrender: :surrender: :surrender:

Remove all parts, re-breech the barrel and inlet all parts in a new stock/blank.

 

[Chevythunderman]

That's what I'm leaning towards myself. Might have to break the bad news to him and tell him to order another stock. Its just a plain maple stock anyway.... The bad part is someone after they figured out (or maybe didn't) that they screwed up where the lock went drilled 2 holes in the front of the lock and put screws in it to the stock to hold it in place. Thinking I might try and weld the holes shut and clean up the surface. Is there any major problems with doing so? I plan on disassembling the lock before I do this.

 

[Black Hand]

The bad part is someone after they figured out (or maybe didn't) that they screwed up where the lock went drilled 2 holes in the front of the lock and put screws in it to the stock to hold it in place. Thinking I might try and weld the holes shut and clean up the surface. Is there any major problems with doing so? I plan on disassembling the lock before I do this.

Welding heat may warp the plate.

I've got a simpler solution.
Slightly countersink the outside and inside openings where the bolt goes through. Run a piece of threaded material (part of the bolt with do) into the hole, peen over both ends and dress with a file. I've done this myself and the repair is invisible unless you really look. You can solder the piece of bolt material in place before peening if you feel the need.

 

[ol vern]

Why can't you get the breach plug out? Have you pulled the drum and are sure it's not locking the breach plug in?

Could be the barrel was breached too deep and took 3/4 or 1 in plug and instead of cutting the back of the barrel to breach up with a 1/2 plug they just screwed in what they had and went for it.

No matter what, if I could not pull the breach plug I would cut the barrel off ahead of it and start all over.

 

[Vaino]

If you have a lot of idle time, go for it. But, if you don't have a lot of idle time, refuse to do it. Of course, some like a challenge and from what you said, this MLer is certainly a challenge. In the final analysis....what would you end up with?......Fred

 

[Chevythunderman]

If he wasn't such a great friend I would've said no right off the bat. Its never going to be a show queen no matter what I do. As long as its a functioning gun I don't think he cares as to fit and finish. Its just hard for me to work on any gun and not make it perfect.

The breech plug not coming out is not a big deal I think I will just cut it off ahead of the drum and start over with that.

According to my friend he just wants it to go boom. My concern if its not done right it may be a lot bigger boom than he wants. He gave it to me because he trusts me that I wont build him an inferior rifle that's not trustworthy, even if it takes me a year or more.