Is it possible to rebarrel an antique revolver in 380 long or 8mm? I thought that for a 380 it should be possible to use a 375 cal rifle barrel, but what can be used for the 8mm 1892 french service revolver? It's not that I am not happy with the existing barrels, they are fine, but I just wanted them a bit longer, sort of target setup. Are there any pistolsmiths that you could recommend who do this sort of work?
Rebarrelling an antique - is that possible?
- Thread starter svt-40
- Start date
It is the frame or reciever that defines the gun but in the case of handguns, it is the barrel and chamber which defines the frame. Soooo as long as you put a new barrel on for a .25 and in the case of a .32, since many of them are actually .308, technically their barrel becomes defined by the factory cartridge which it is chambered for. In other words, if you created a chamber for a 30-30 shorted to say 1.2" and necked back down to take a .308 slug, the gun becomes a wildcat .30 cal pistol
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
I wouldn't modify them unless they were in poor shape and of little value. I have also considered doing some serious modifications to a couple of antiques I have but they are real beaters and any change would be an improvement. I have recently seen an antique 8mm 1892 french service revolver that was in great shape. I would keep it as is and shoot it that way.
I asume you want to keep the original cartridge chambering. If so then first find out what the twist rate on the rifling is for that gun/cartridge. You not only want to keep the same bore size but also close to the same twist rate.
I asume you want to keep the original cartridge chambering. If so then first find out what the twist rate on the rifling is for that gun/cartridge. You not only want to keep the same bore size but also close to the same twist rate.
If the 8mm bore is in good shape you simply will not improve accuracy by adding length. If all is well with that revolver it will out shoot just about anything. loading for it is not problematic if you spend the rebarrelling money on dies and a mould.
If you must do something with the .380 consider relining
If you must do something with the .380 consider relining
Instead of taking the old barrel off and turning/threading a new one the existing barrel is bored to remove the rifling and a new "liner" is soldered/glued or press fitted into it. Liners in just about any bore diameter/twist rate are cheap and easily obtainable.
If done properly you can hardly tell anything has happened.
Do a search in antiques and the gunsmithing forum there might be some info as I know at least one CGNer has lined antiques to good effect.
If done properly you can hardly tell anything has happened.
Do a search in antiques and the gunsmithing forum there might be some info as I know at least one CGNer has lined antiques to good effect.
If this is a proscibed "ANTIQUE" that does not have to be REGISTERED make sure you are not changing it in to something that is prohibited or needs to be registered. If you have an old short barreled .32 rimfire and you change it to centerfire because cartridges are easier to get, you have just made a short barreled .32 prohibited firearm. Very against the law with it's short barrel and .32 caliber that is easy to get. You can do a bunch of things to restore or improve the "ANTIQUE" gun but changing the antique caliber to a non antique caliber takes the ANTIQUE out of the ANTIQUE class.
Bear man is right you have to stick to the hard to get calibres like .45acp, 9mm parrabellum, 357 magnum, 44 russian etc. LOL.
Or go the other way and sleeve the cylinders to .17 rimfire or .22 RF magnum.
None of the above are pressure appropriate but sure you can find soem way to stay with in the law.
Have fun with it and play safe
Or go the other way and sleeve the cylinders to .17 rimfire or .22 RF magnum.
None of the above are pressure appropriate but sure you can find soem way to stay with in the law.
Have fun with it and play safe
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BEARMAN said:
As long as you do not use the cartridges that excludes the gun from the antique classification then you should be ok. If for example you convert your 32 rimfire to 25 ACP then it still complies with the antique regulations. The fact that the cartridge is easy to get does not mean a thing. As long as it is not one of the cartridges that specifically exclude the gun from the antique class the it is still legally an antique.
But once again, if the gun is in decent shape right now then don't touch it. Shoot it as is.
