Not sure if this is wise but I own a 24" octagon barrel 44-40 with a sewer pipe bore /no rifling.I don't see it having much collector value as is.I found a fresh made replacement barrel in the States for about $400 US and they ship to Canada,Any smiths here in Canada up to doing barrel swapping on old Winchesters?I have dies brass and bullets. Would I be better off selling it and maybe just buying a JM Marlin in .44 mag ? Harold
Win 1892 re=barrel
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
It has no rifling left ,but points like a real gun.I'm set up for loading 44-40 as I had a Commemorative 94 briefly . I like the history and the fun factor/ plinking.I'd set up deer with stands at close range and use itThe rifle otherwise is nice ,smooth and tight except for the eroded barrel.It will likely cost me as much to have it installed and blued,as the barrel is in the white.Perhaps I'll just buy the barrel and put it together in stages...I can't afford to send it to Turnbull for the full meal deal.....Harold
One way to check the authenticy is to pull the fore stock, then mag tube.
There is a flat on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the receiver.
It should be stamped with the caliber and date.
Check the date with the year of manufacture of this rifle by the serial number.
If the barrel has already been changed.............no harm done swapping the barrel.
I just did a receiver swap as the tang was busted and poorly welded up.
I ended up with a six digit serial number receiver instead of a seven digit.
Wood fits better on the rear when the upper and lower tangs are in harmony.
Just a tawt..............me pense.
Edit to note: if you decide to swap barrels, keep the old one for the just in case I wish I kept it idea
to retain some sort of collector value in this old gal.
There is a flat on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the receiver.
It should be stamped with the caliber and date.
Check the date with the year of manufacture of this rifle by the serial number.
If the barrel has already been changed.............no harm done swapping the barrel.
I just did a receiver swap as the tang was busted and poorly welded up.
I ended up with a six digit serial number receiver instead of a seven digit.
Wood fits better on the rear when the upper and lower tangs are in harmony.
Just a tawt..............me pense.
Edit to note: if you decide to swap barrels, keep the old one for the just in case I wish I kept it idea
to retain some sort of collector value in this old gal.
These barrels /octagon are all milled for sights ,mag tube and pretty well screw on.I'm just checking to see if they are cut rifled or not as I'd like to shoot some jacketed as well as cast..If I wait a couple weeks they also slow rust blue the blank.....Harold
I wouldn't hesitate to re-barrel. A rifle which doesn't shoot accurately isn't much fun. If you want to return it to it's current condition, you can always re-install the sewer pipe. It is also possible to maintain originality by re-lining.
I'm just curious; what difference does it make whether it is cut-rifled, buttoned, or even hammer forged if you want to shoot jacketed and cast? The bullet generally doesn't much care how the grooves in the barrel were made.
I'm just curious; what difference does it make whether it is cut-rifled, buttoned, or even hammer forged if you want to shoot jacketed and cast? The bullet generally doesn't much care how the grooves in the barrel were made.
I thought cast preferred more traditional cut rifling to prevent fouling/lead buildup etc...? Nobody I could find re-lines 44-40 in Canada.........a couple of guys Stateside but won't deal with Canada.One fellow said there wasn't enough metal in a 92 44-40 to re-line it? I'd rather have the Win 92 instead of a new Marlin...hope I don't have to put a kidney on E-Bay to pay the bill....Thanx Harold
Last edited:
I would be concerned with the thickness of the 44-40 barrel as well but have done no serious investigation into it. I have seen no clear-cut (no pun intended) advantage to any rifling method for the use of lead bullets and have had good results with all barrel types.
I think the big question is; do you want to rebarrel so that you can shoot a gun with historical or sentimental significance or do you want to shoot a 44-40 without worrying about the sentimental aspect? If you only want a 44-40 to shoot, it is probably cheaper to buy a modern alternative
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
