Replacing CVA Barrel

[aprayinbear]

Please help :shocked2:

When I was a kid (too many years ago to remember) I purchased a CVA (I think) Kentucky flintlock kit. Well, at the time I only had a few tools, fewer skills, but a lot of enthusiasm. Somehow I got it together.... no showpiece, but I was really proud of it. I shot it often and really enjoyed myself out at the range.

Fast forward many years later, I was living in Chicago where all handguns are verboten! And one day I get a box in the mail from my brother in SC with most of the parts of my old gun. Trying to obey the law, I more or less permanently filled the barrel and touch hole with forever epoxy.

Fast forward again and now I live in SC. Some time ago I purchased a new Rayl barrel for the gun in an attempt to get it "up and running!" I installed the breech plug with no trouble and touched up the barrel and tang inletting so that the new barrel fits good and snug.

But here's my problem...... If I were to drill the new touch hole in alignment with the lock pan, I would be drilling into the breech plug. I'd say I'm off a good 1/8". If I try to re-inlet the tang area and slide the barrel back, I loose the alignment with the lock screws. I don't want to drill the vent at an angle because then the flash would exit toward the shooter.

So here's my thoughts...... Slightly open the pan so that it reaches forward a bit. Then drill the touch hole as close as I can to the face of the breech. And finally, use a countersink to open the mouth of the vent a bit.

I don't think I will get the best ignition, but I'm not planning on hunting or shooting competitively with this gun. I just want to get it shooting again. I was also thinking about cutting the barrel down to about 6-8".

Oh yes, two more questions. When I drill the vent what size bit would you suggest and what do you think is a good starting load for a .45 caliber flinter?

So how does that sound? Any other thoughts? All suggestions welcome! :bow:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I don't like angled vent holes.

I would shorten the breechplug, and shorten the back of the barrel that 1/8 inch so that the new surface of the breechplug face is behind my vent hole. IN a handgun, you don't need lots of length of threads in the plug to hold either the pressure, or keep the plug and barrel together. Most breechplugs are routinely cut for rifle barrels, and their longer actions. They don't fit the short pistol locks well.

 

[rafterob]

Shortening the threaded part of the breach plug sounds good, I don't think you would need to alter the barrel at all though. If you have a competent gunsmith or machinist around they could bore the breech plug from the barrel end to sort of replicate the CVA breech system. Or you could file a channel in the side of the breech plug threads that would channel the flash hole to the chamber. If it were me, I would go with the second option rather than remove the breechplug, and while i was at it have them bore the flash hole also.

 

[bingo1952]

If epoxy is indeed what you plugged that barrel with a propane torch should burn it out. it may take a while but it should be salvageable. Hey if you are just gonna throw it away send it to me!

 

[aprayinbear]

Sorry runball,

I cut the barrel ages ago to use for sizing, forms, etc. Don't still have the breech original breech plug. I wish I had taken measurements on the breech though so I could compare.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

 

You might want to check out Ron Ehlert's video. He actually drills into the plug and then files it to form a channel that funnels the powder up to the vent hole. When I built my chambers the hole ended up in front of the plug, but a buddy's of mine who built his at the same time had to drill into the plug and then channeled like Ehlert did in the video. Both have fast ignitions.

 

[Pork Chop]

Two options not discussed:

Cruise eBay for a barrel

Call Deer Creek for a barrel

Then build a custom with the nice barrel that you have!

 

[Onojutta]

Trying to obey the law, I more or less permanently filled the barrel and touch hole with forever epoxy.

This is why tyrannical laws should never be honored.

 

[aprayinbear]

That's an interesting idea about drilling into the breech plug and then filing a channel. I suppose as long as I'm not too far back into the plug I shouldn't compromise the integrity of the breech. Seems like the ignition would still work well. Thanks for the tip.... great idea.

Now I'm getting excited.... after all, what have I got to lose? :hmm: I think I will shorten the barrel just because I like the look and I have seen originals photographed with as short as 3 1/2" barrels.

I'm going to recheck measurements today. I'll try to take some photos as I go along.

Thanks Guys!
:v happy shooting!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Before you get too excited about drilling a hole in the plug, and filing a groove, figure out how you are going to clean that hole and groove in use!

 

[aprayinbear]

How to clean is a great question. As it turned out I only had to drill into the tip of the breech plug and was able to file a smooth shallow channel to the center of the plug face. Shouldn't be much harder to clean then without the channel. I was fortunate that I wasn't off as much as I thought.

You can see photos at... http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/231593/

Good Thought! :hatsoff: