Colt 1903 .32 barrel with a ring in it, shootable?
I have a Colt 1903 hammerless pistol in .32 caliber. The gun is in 90%+ original condition. There is a ring in the bore about two inches back from the muzzle. Probably from shooting a cartridge with a short powder charge. The barrel is swelled above the ring but not enough to impede slide function. Would this barrel be usable or should I be shopping for a replacement? My thoughts are that the .32 acp is a lower pressure cartridge and should not cause any problems unless the original cause of the ring was repeated in the same spot. I've seen .22 rifles that had five or more rings in the bore. Opinions?
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in general, never, under any circumstance fire a gun with a "ringed" BBL or any other damage that could cause a malfunction, or in any way impede proper function. you may shoot the gun safely for years, or it may explode in your hand like a grenade on the first magazine.
with this particular gun, NEVER, NEVER, EVER fire it in this condition. have the BBL replaced by a gunsmith, or swap it out yourself. if you ever question a guns quality, or safty due to damage, put it down and think again. NUMRICH ARMS sells the BBL for around $85.00.
the BBL on this gun is easy to swap out, and readily available. if you value your eyes, hands, face, and life, JUST SAY NO.
best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
You don't want to fire ANY barrel that is damaged. To do so invites injury to you and/or bystanders.
Follow "Mr. Mikes" advice.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Make sure you get the right barrel. There are three kinds for this pistol; a 4" without a barrel bushing, a 3 3/4" without a barrel bushing, and a 3 3/4" with a barrel bushing. I may be wrong about the middle one, but you can find parts on Gunbroker for this pistol easily. 0 -
I'd be more concerned with the ring wearing the slide. I believe barrels for these guns were serial numbered so I'd keep it though It probably wouldnt be as accurate as an unringed barrel. This is a low pressure thick barrel not likely to split or blow up. I've seen M1 Garands with ringed barrels that didn't split and an xray of a greasegun totally filled up with 45 bullets, nose to back and a bunch of bulges. Barrel steel is not brittle 0 -
Short answer to your question, NO.
Like mrmike said why put yourself and others in danger to save 75 to 85 dollars.
The barrels arent usually numbered and you should have no problem finding another one.
The very early guns used a barrel bushing like the 1911 and that would effect cycling.
Later guns had no bushing you just twist the barrel counter clockwise and remove the slide. Twist the barrel back and pull it right out of the slide.
Good luck and they are great guns!
I measured it and cut it twice, and it's still too short!0 -
yes, absolutly keep the original BBL and store it. if you should ever sell the gun, having the original BBL (if numbered to the gun) is important.
i personaly own a martialy marked MAUSER MODEL 1910 semiautomatic pistol that is in about 75% condition, and has some neat markings / proofs. it has a ringed BBL... i have not yet payed the $90.00 for the new BBL, and while i do not think a .25ACP would blow up this gun, and the slide functions perfectly, and is un-impeded, i do not fire it.
as some of you know, i work in an FFL holding shop, i am a CERTIFIED RANGE SAFTEY OFFICER... the list goes on. i know people who have been injured or killed taking a chance on a damaged gun. we see the results here at the shop, and it amazes me that more people are not maimed or killed this way.
just say no, and play it safe. best regards, mike.
What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.0 -
I disagree with the majority of the responses here. These are low-powered rounds and I see no danger from the ring, assuming it is not severe so as to portend a separation or rupture. However, this is just my opinion, and I do not recommend that anyone do anything that might be dangerous. Use the original barrel at your own risk.
Depending on where the ring is located, it could be that the bulge can be "rolled" back, just like is done sometimes with bulged shotgun barrels.
I checked the first two 1903/1908 hammerless pistols (from the 1930s) I could reach in the safe, and neither had the barrel serial-numbered to the gun. I differ with the response that says the 4-inch barrels do not have the bushing. All 4-inch barrels have the bushing, while only some of the 3.75-inch barrels do.
I assume this gun does not have the bushing, or the gun probably would not function with much of a bulge. If the gun has no bushing, I cannot imagine a bulge large enough to affect cycling since there ia a large boss on the end of the barrel. Any bulge large enough to exceed the diameter of the boss would surly be a rupture.0 -
I agree with Judge Colt. The barrels are not serial numbered.
As many of you know, I collect the Colt 1903/8's and have them in all calibers. I foolish use a 1903 38acp as my CCW. The reason that it is foolish is that this gun belongs in a showcase, not on anybodies hip, but I really like it, so there, LOL.
If you wanna be safe, get another barrel to fire, keep the original.
Enjoy your Colt, they are fine weapons.
njretcop@copmail.com
Charlie0
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