Recycling barrel?

[Jim-Iowa]

I have a .50 cal CVA barrel the Breech Plug will not come out.
I have been advised to send it to TOW and have a patend breech installed.
My question is I understand altering serial Numbers are "big time jail time".
The serail number is in the last inch of the barrel, which would be cut off to install the patend breech.
Are muzzle loaders exempt from the alteration regs of BATF?

 

[Lone Carabiner]

Did you remove the nipple drum? It has to come out first.

 

[Bookie]

Jim, Altering serial numbers is no crime on these guns. Bookie

 

[Jim-Iowa]

Yes I did remove the drum. Whem I realized I could not get the breech plug out, I took it over to Bookie's shop and we could not get it out.
Steve explained that CVA assembles barrel, breech plug and drum and drill them as a unit, causing burs in the threads that can lock everything together.
I had buggered up the hook, but can use the barrel as is after judicious application of a file.
I had left it in a closet for over 20 yrs(Gross and unforgiveable neglect), but extensive cleaning and polishing with JB Paste has the barrel shining like a new Silver Dollar internally.

 

[Jim-Iowa]

Jim, Altering serial numbers is no crime on these guns. Bookie

I kind of figured as much, but did not even notice the serial numbers until last night after cleaning the barrel and installing a new nipple. :grin:

 

[Flintandsteel]

Jim,

I think the question you need to ask is.... is the barrel worth preserving.

By the time you cut it off , add a new breechplug, re-install underlugs or rib,etc,etc.

You could buy a new gun.???

IMHO

 

[Gary]

Salvaging old parts is part of the blackpowder experience. They did it in the old days because metal was scarce or labor was expensive. We can do it today because we want to experience doing it.

 

[LSU TIGER]

To add to Bookie's response, According to federal firearms laws, black powder or muzzleloading firearms aren't considered to be firearms at all, they're classed as antique. However, some local laws include muzzleloaders. But, the last time I checked, they'll kill just as dead as a .30 - 06.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Gary,

I understand what you are saying. I've done it myself. However, there comes a time when the cost factor to repair something is greater than replacing it. Then you use the left over parts for another day, another gun.
Not being a smart aaa, but we got to be practical as well.

 

[Norskie]

I've done exactly what you're contemplating. I had TOW send me the cut off end and I just engraved the serial # on the bottom flat. As a libertarian, my motto is 'get forgiveness, not permission'.

 

[Jim-Iowa]

Jim,

I think the question you need to ask is.... is the barrel worth preserving.

By the time you cut it off , add a new breechplug, re-install underlugs or rib,etc,etc.

You could buy a new gun.???

IMHO

That is a valid and reasonable question.
It looks like I might have the price of a new barrel by the time you consider parts, labor and shipping, but I have seen nothing off the rack for under $150 worth the effort of lifting off the rack. I can use it as I have for the past 25 yrs. But it owes me nothing and is really to good to use for a tomato stake.
Since I know very little, the learning and experience could be priceless?
It's certainly an option worth considering.