Now what?

[AmarilloMike]

I would consider the gun as a whole. Are the barrels currently 26" or 32"? What is the grade? What is the condition, original 90%, original 30%, restored, refinished? Hammer or hammerless? If it is an AHE in original 90% condition I would consider welding the barrel. If it is a refinished PH with 28", 30", or 32" barrels I would probably cut them.

[Brush Buster]

Ray Maybe a full length set of Briley Tubes in the next smaller gauge would be an idea ,they are lite and relatively inexpensive delivered upon order if not a custom fit type Tube and it might just salvage a nice shooter for you !I have a set of 410 that went into a 28 Ga. and it made the gun a little more versatile and fun to shoot ! I sold the VHE 28 and the Buyer didn't want the 410 Tubes ??? Couldn't figure that one out ! Just a thought ! Good luck with her ! Russ

[Ed Blake]

Send the barrels to Kirk Merrington. I spoke to him last week. He is on the mend and back in business. I hope this is not the C-grade I did not buy from you earlier in the year.

[Ray Masciarella]

For those who commented based on the grade, it is an A grade original 30" barrels. I'd hate to cut them tho it is surely the cheapest way out.

Russ, I've thought about Brlley tubes.

Hoping they can be welded like Bruce suggested even if it costs a few more bucks. Can anyone supply me with Kirk Merrington contact info, ie email address?

Thx all, Ray

[August Luchow]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

I understand Teague is out of business, but that's second hand.

I have seen cracks in damascus welded. I know some PGCA members have damascus barrels with welded cracks. I have seen old welded cracks in damascus.....like really old, that obviously have been shot for years after. I saw one with a square patch over a cracked area......I'm not suggesting that but it worked.

I suggested Brileys because I know them to have done permanent choke tubes. They may say no because its easier to say no than try, but seems to me if you selected an open choke tube there would be little hoop stress and the welded remains of the original end would have sufficient strength to hold the tube. Michael Orlen is another barrel guy whom I understand to be good, there are undoubtedly others.

I hate to say it. But, Bruce may be correct about Briley. If it was mine that's what I'd do. Nice imprint of the wad on the burst barrel. Were you shooting reloads?

August

[edgarspencer]

Prior to closing my company, I had 20+ Highly qualified welders, performing everything from Sub-Arc, to GTAW (Tig) At lunch time I would get some of the guys to teach me at the various methods. Actually doing it was more difficult than writing the procedures. I am confident that you have many good aircraft welding shops in FL. Take your barrels, have them make a solid copper or Bronze mandrel, and reform the bent material back into shape. Damascus is very ductile. Them have them weld it, do a low temperature stress relief, then ream the bore and drawfile it out. You'll never fully hide the repair, but you'll be back to where you were.

[B. Dudley]

Being an A grade, I think repairing if possible would be the thing to do.

[edgarspencer]

Further to what I was suggesting as a possible repair route; The mandrel used to mechanically bring the barrel back into shape would be left in place during the weld repair. Copper or bronze backing plates are used on the backside of a seam weld to prevent burn-through, and the weld will not fuse to the backing material. The seam to be welded up would be V ground for a good weld prep, and dressed down afterwards.
I did some consulting work for Pine Tree Casting, in Newport, New Hampshire, which is the investment foundry owned by Ruger Firearms. A great deal of the parts used in their firearms are investment cast, including cylinders of their Vaquero revolver, bolts for the Model 77 rifle, and even triggers. Even lost wax investment castings will have the occasional surface defect, and they would commonly TIG weld these parts, as part of the manufacturing process.

[charlie cleveland]

ray i bet if you look around you ll find a sure enough good welder close to you and he should be able to fix the barrels...price to fix should not be that much...you can always cut the barrels.. charlie

[Brush Buster]

Edgar ,You are the MAN !!!