+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: Best way to straighten a bent barrel?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member vintage hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Last On
    @
    Location
    S.C.
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,680
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM

    Best way to straighten a bent barrel?

    I bought Remington Rolling Block rifle from a friend and it has a fairly long bend in the barrel that makes it shoot high to the left. It looks like the bent starts near the muzzle and goes back 18-20 inches. I bought it with the intentions of cutting it down to carbine length but I'd like to try straightening it first. What would be the best way to go about it?
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:37 AM
    I've done several and to start with I used a straightness gauge. You may have to make one but i can't immagine it being correct without one. Just round stock that barely fits the barrel. Maybe 6 or 8 inches long and takes a cleaning rod. I did a Garandicon bbl that was bent in the thickest part using a hydralic press. I've done a Rem 740 using my hands and a set of padded vice jaws. You have to find the bend, work exactly there and remember that metal has a memory so you have to bend beyond the bend and let the bbl come back to straight. If you have a long slow bend, you may have to do several of these. It can be done.
    Regards, Jim

  4. Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:08 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,150
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    03:37 AM
    i set the barrel in my barrel vise, and hand tighten...straighten as needed... eyeball it down the tube.
    iv had great luck with this, saved a few....if its been shot a bit, the metal will loose its memory...and might ruin the bore...look for a dark spot on the inside of the bend,
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  7. #4
    Legacy Member vintage hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Last On
    @
    Location
    S.C.
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,680
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Got it. Used 2 lead blocks and a lead hammer. There is a dark spot in the bore roughly where to bend was but it shoots good. The bore isn't in real good shape anyway, it's bright but not much rifling left. Thanks for the responses guys.

  8. #5
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:37 AM
    I'm not sure about the hammer thing. It's a bit abrupt. I've done lots and I wouldn't do that...
    Regards, Jim

  9. #6
    Legacy Member vintage hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Last On
    @
    Location
    S.C.
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,680
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Well, it worked none the less. As a Millwright I've straightened lots of shafts and cylinder rods over the years using this method, after a while you get the hang of knowing just where and how hard to land the blow, but it takes a lot of practice. I remember reading something in the Enfield forum a while back on how the barrel straighteners at the Enfield factory did it in much the same way. The friend I bought the rifle from was the armourer for the St. Lawrence County, N.Y. sherrifs dept. for 20 years and he attended several armourer's courses at Smith & Wesson and that's how they taught him to tune revolvers with fixed sights that shot left or right of POA. As he described it to me, you'd lay the gun in a lead jig, ''high side'' up and beat the s**t out of it with a lead mallet then go shoot it to see if you had fixed the problem. If they broke it they'd pitch it in the scrap bin and go on to the next one.

  10. #7
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:05 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,836
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:37 AM
    So...why did you ask us?
    Regards, Jim

  11. #8
    Legacy Member vintage hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Last On
    @
    Location
    S.C.
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,680
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    Really and truely, I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Afterall, it was a boneheaded question for a Millwright to ask. Maybe I was just trying to see how the Romans did it, I don't know. If the rifle in question was in better oal condition I would'nt have done it the way I did, probably. You and Chuck gave some good tips and I'll keep them in mind if I ever have to do this again, thanks. Sorry if you offended by my previous post, none was intended. Now, can we be friends again?

  12. #9
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:56 PM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,973
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    On a semi-related note, can you get a ring out of an octagon barrel? Never fired it so I don't know if it affects the accuracy or not and it isn't a milsurp but an 1886 Winchester in 45-90. Not seriously considering doing anything about it but am curious.

  13. #10
    Legacy Member vintage hunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Last On
    @
    Location
    S.C.
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,680
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:37 AM
    Thread Starter
    I really don't know Aragorn. I've always avoided guns with bore damage until lately, but I would think that once it's there it's there to stay. I do know a 'smith who claims to be able to get a bulge out of a round barrel by way of a roller but have not seen him do it with my own eyes. As far as effecting accuracy is concerned I imagine there would be some negative effects, but as long as the ring or bulge is'nt longer that the projo it might still shoot reasonably well. I bought the Roller with the intentions of cutting it down to carbine length or better yet rebarreling it to something where ammo does'nt cost $6 a round.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. just noticed bent trigger guard
    By Rumpelhardt in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-07-2011, 12:12 AM
  2. bent cases
    By mattscimmy in forum Ammunition and Reloading for Old Milsurps
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-21-2011, 05:08 AM
  3. Bent No4 Strikers
    By tbonesmith in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-22-2010, 05:23 AM
  4. Bent 03 Striker
    By Long Shot in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-13-2009, 08:29 PM
  5. What is the procedure to determine if a barrel is bent
    By RBruce in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-17-2009, 11:18 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks