Fixing dent in old sxs barrel
- Thread starter crunch68
- Start date
There are different tools used.
One that I have is a brass cylinder, which has slits and can be expanded. Adjust the tool until it can be barely pushed under the dent. Tap the outside of the barrel with a non-marring hammer. Repeat until the bump is ironed out. It is remarkable how a dent can be raised. Usually there is only a slight mark where the dent was.
I have also turned brass slugs to just fit the bore with a tapered leading edge. Tap it toward the bulge, tap the bulge, keep going until the bulge is raised.
You can also turn a series of slugs each slightly larger, and tap them through the barrel.
There are also rather expensive mechanical tools which have a lug which is raised to push out the dent.
A minor bulge will not affect shooting, and is not likely to be a safety concern. Unsightly, though.
One that I have is a brass cylinder, which has slits and can be expanded. Adjust the tool until it can be barely pushed under the dent. Tap the outside of the barrel with a non-marring hammer. Repeat until the bump is ironed out. It is remarkable how a dent can be raised. Usually there is only a slight mark where the dent was.
I have also turned brass slugs to just fit the bore with a tapered leading edge. Tap it toward the bulge, tap the bulge, keep going until the bulge is raised.
You can also turn a series of slugs each slightly larger, and tap them through the barrel.
There are also rather expensive mechanical tools which have a lug which is raised to push out the dent.
A minor bulge will not affect shooting, and is not likely to be a safety concern. Unsightly, though.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Referring to the gun being safe to shoot with the dent, there are many who say that if the dent is visible on the inside, it should not be shot.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Depending on how bad the dent is, you basically have the dent/deformity on one side instead of a fairly uniform circumference. Also, generally the wall thickness before the muzzle is the thinnest area on a double barrel. If a deep enough dent is in this area, a bulge could occur or possibly a split/blown barrel if the dent is bad enough. Of course it doesn't happen all the time and many are being shot with dents of varying degrees but you never know. This is just a basic explanation but in depth it gets into metal elasticity/fatigue in areas of damage depending on how bad the damage is.
OP was asking if dents can be raised. Usually they can be removed.
But there is a judgement call depending on how much damage was done, whether the gun will be serviceable, whether it is worth fixing. There are an awful lot of clunkers surviving from the days of cheap mail order/hardware store marketing. Many are not worth considering as shooters.
But there is a judgement call depending on how much damage was done, whether the gun will be serviceable, whether it is worth fixing. There are an awful lot of clunkers surviving from the days of cheap mail order/hardware store marketing. Many are not worth considering as shooters.
buzzmagoo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- sprucewood Hallows Eastern Townships
Don't know if this would work on a gun barrel but on other tubes and pipes ,ball bearing of the right size are forced down to roll the dent out ( with plenty of grease) . Now if your barrel is tapered in side this wouldn't advisable . In that instance a mandrel most likely will be needed . If you have ever seen exhaust systems being made they use a pipe expander to make the female ends so a tool something like that ( but much smaller) might be a possibility if you can find one . As others have said would the expenditure out weigh the value of the gun .
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Before you purchase this gun, know that if it is a fairly old English gun it will likely have short chambers. The proof marks will tell you what it started with. If someone lengthened the chambers, I would walk away. Also, if it is quite old, it will not be designed for the modern high pressure loads of today. It could be black powder proof only. Aside from the dent, there are other things you should be finding out before purchase. If you are looking for a gun that will shoot modern off the shelf ammo, then likely this is not the gun.
