Swapping Barrels?

[John Scott Hurt]

I'm looking for a barrel in .50 or .54 caliber that will fit my DGW .32 caliber squirrel rifle. The rifle is currently percussion but would like to swap over to flintlock eventually?

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

[galamb]

If you have "MONEY" you are willing to spend nothing is impossible.

IF - IF - the measurement across the flats of your 32 cal is sufficient to accommodate the size required for a 50 or 54 cal (which would be "minimally" 7/8" ATF and 15/16" respectively) then you can have another barrel build to swap in.

The cost would generally be in the 350 dollar range plus the cost of bluing/browning if you can't do it yourself.

If your current channel size is sufficient they could be built as flint barrels and again, if you could find a "direct replacement" lock you can tack on another 150-200 bucks for that (for a flint) or the same cost plus some installation costs if the new lock had to be inlet.

At the end of the day, unless your current rifle has some deep sentimental value, you would most like be better off simply buying a used flinter in 50 or 54 cal - it could well be cheaper in the long run, unless you consider, perhaps 600 bucks "worthwhile" to convert your current rifle which maybe has a used value of half that...

 

[azmntman]

Good answer. And who doesn't want another gun?

 

[Zonie]

If we're speaking of the .32 cal "Tennessee Squirrel Rifle" sold by Dixie, I think your outta luck.

That rifle used a 13/16" (.8125) inch octagon barrel.

The smallest .50 caliber barrel commonly made is 7/8" (.875) across the flats.

You might be able to remove enough wood from the barrel channel to hold it but there wouldn't be much wood left.

As for the .54 caliber barrel, your looking at a 15/16 (.9375) barrel width.

That would require removing 1/16 of an inch of wood from each side of the barrel channel.

Also to be considered, the larger barrels will position your lockplate further out from the center of the bore.
That would force the lockplate out of its mortise where it contacts the barrel and leave the rest of its underside unsupported.

 

[John Scott Hurt]

Thanks for the advice, looks like I'll be searching for an additional rifle and keep the squirrel rifle as is.

John

 

[jamesthomas]

I don't know if it would work, but there is a .45 cal. CVA for sale for a $150.00 in the classified ads. A .45 cal. is still a good deer hunting caliber if that's what you looking for.