Not a good day for a 1931 Colt Ace 22 ++Update++

[Klondiker]

I went to range this morning with a few pistols. One was a 1931 Colt Ace 22 with beautiful bluing, original magazine. I have shot it before and it's been fantastic. My eighth round through it today and it locked up tight with a half open slide, enough to have ejected the case. It came home in that state and I used a rubber mallet to move the slide forward to full lockup. when I disassembled it I found the barrel bulged about an 1.5 inches from the muzzle. I didn't realize I'd had a squib.

This is one day I'd like to do over.

Any chance someone has a Colt Ace 22 barrel without the floating chamber for sale or know where to find one?? Yeah, I know, good luck....

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Damn, that sucks. Very, very sorry to read that, mate.

You may have better luck on some of the bigger US forums.

Good hunting.

 

[Magellann]

Thats very unfortunate, but at least it wasn't a severe catastrofic failure. You came out of it without injury.

 

[Klondiker]

It's true, and that's what I told the Mrs.

It's still a tough pill to swallow.

 

[Klondiker]

Would anyone know if it's possible to have the barrel drilled out and sleeved? And then turn the barrel to remove the slight bulge, and refinish?

More to the point, anyone know who in Canada would be capable of doing this?

 

[Greenhorse six]

I want to say Bits of Pieces in B.C.
IIRC ,and I'm most likely wrong , they use to sleeve M1 carbine barrels to add length to them , to reclassify them to non restricted.

 

[7ECA]

Would this be what you're looking for?

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1935900

You'd need an importer to bring it in, though.

 

[Klondiker]

Eegad!!!! I looked on Numrich before posting and the only one I found was with the floating chamber....

Thanks so much!!!!!

 

[perrystuckless]

sorry to hear that, it is a very collectable gun. I have one also. I will keep an eye open for you. Not going to be easy to find. Perry

 

[colinjw]

Would this be what you're looking for?

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1935900

You'd need an importer to bring it in, though.

I looked at that one also. But the ad is marked " Shipment prohibited outside USA."

 

[silverfoxdj]

Good you weren't hurt...

 

[Klondiker]

sorry to hear that, it is a very collectable gun. I have one also. I will keep an eye open for you. Not going to be easy to find. Perry

Thanks for that Perry. Much appreciated

Greg

 

[9.3mauser]

How did it cycle the squib? I wouldn't think squib load would have enough power to cycle the action.

 

[Klondiker]

My son was shooting his 22 semi auto pistol next to me, outdoor range in our own bay so sound travels well and everything sounded normal. I’d been testing different ammo over the last few range trips and I’d had some issues with proper cycling. Sometimes it would stovepipe. It wasn’t uncommon to rack the slide and today was -14 so it crossed my mind that may also affect function. I’ve never had a squib before and I never thought factory ammo these days would make it out the door without powder. It didn’t cycle well, made noise, it didn’t seem out of the norm so I racked the slide and the next trigger pull was the last.

Brand new CCI stinger ammo.

 

[Klondiker]

But I can say for sure I will be much more aware when shooting from now on

 

[7ECA]

I looked at that one also. But the ad is marked " Shipment prohibited outside USA."

Like many parts, barrels fall under the category of forbidden for export without an export permit. Who knows, it may suddenly become slightly easier to ship these sorts of parts in the next bit - but odds are you'll still need an export permit.

 

[deadman]

Any damage to the slide?

 

[Klondiker]

No, no damage to the slide. The bushing just got stuck on the edge of the bulge. Once I knocked it free it was good. Still a very good fit on the muzzle so I’m lucky there

 

[dogzilla]

Irunguns can probably get it

 

[Calahan]

With the changes to ITAR on the horizon, Numrich will likely start shipping parts to Canada again. They used to ship stuff to Canada even under ITAR, with the buyer paying a premium for the cost of the export permit. Now with most gun stuff being moved from ITAR to Commerce, it should be easier (and cheaper) for Numrich to ship to Canada.