Broken Barrels - AR15.COM

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Posted: 8/31/2016 10:40:46 PM EDT

I have the opportunity to buy a couple of revolvers that need work for $50 a piece. The barrels that have been broken at the frame.
One is a Colt King Cobra the other is a S&W 686.

If I can find barrels are these salvageable?

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Posted: 9/1/2016 10:53:36 AM EDT

[#1]

How in the hell did that happen? I've seen a fair number of broken guns. Broken barrels?

Rebarreling is certainly doable tho its not as simple as many think. My concern is what other damage is present. That said there's at least $50 in usable parts on both of those.

Posted: 9/1/2016 12:20:36 PM EDT

[#2]

If you aren't interested, I'd be very interested in the 686, not to sell, simply to tinker with. Rebarreling a revolver is quite a bit of work, but it's doable with the proper tools and knowledge.

The problem you have, is getting that piece of the barrel out. Revolver barrels are torqued pretty heavily into the frame, without a way to bite into that piece of the barrel, I would say it'll be very difficult to remove. It's possible the only way to salvage them might be to drill out the old barrel section, and retap the frame, which then involves it's own set of difficulties and complications.

PM if you decide to pass on either/both.

Posted: 9/1/2016 12:40:38 PM EDT

[#3]

At least one of them looks to have a spring crane or frame.

Are those actual steel guns or zinc Japanese copies?
They seem to have an absolute fetish of making very carefully crafted copies of real guns they cannot own.

Posted: 9/1/2016 2:01:03 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
At least one of them looks to have a spring crane or frame.

Are those actual steel guns or zinc Japanese copies?
They seem to have an absolute fetish of making very carefully crafted copies of real guns they cannot own.

View Quote

I originally thought that as well but I think the Colt cylinder isn't latched in.

Posted: 9/1/2016 7:34:59 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

I originally thought that as well but I think the Colt cylinder isn't latched in.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
At least one of them looks to have a spring crane or frame.

Are those actual steel guns or zinc Japanese copies?
They seem to have an absolute fetish of making very carefully crafted copies of real guns they cannot own.

I originally thought that as well but I think the Colt cylinder isn't latched in.

Maybe because it will not latch??

the forces required to break a steel barrel that claenaly are fast and huge.

A real steel gun is going to have other signs.

Posted: 9/1/2016 8:24:16 PM EDT

[#6]

Thanks for the replys. I decided to purchase the guns and see what I could do.

I just wanted to know if anyone has come across this before, after asking around I am finding that it is not that common.

These guns were once rentals at a shooting range so who knows what happened. I am going to try and find a gunsmith that has the knowledge to perform this repair. That is if the frame are still serviceable.

I bought several other items, all in need of some repair.

I got this Colt Python for $100. It has a crack on the right side of the frame that should be repairable with welding.

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Posted: 9/2/2016 11:56:39 AM EDT

[#7]

The odds of that crack being the only problem are not very high.

What is the possible cost of that failure)

Without a lot of careful testing (x-ray and likely more) the odds of other still hidden defects is probbaly high enough to give pause.

Posted: 11/13/2016 7:40:32 PM EDT

[#8]

I would pass on the Colt, it looks tweaked in more ways than one. $50.00 for the 686 might be worth the gamble. Send it to a pro and have them look it over. If they give it the thumbs up have them put a barrel in it.

Posted: 1/28/2017 9:27:41 PM EDT

[#9]

How about a big old EZ-Out and an air wrench for that barrel stub?

Posted: 3/3/2017 2:35:59 PM EDT

[#10]

Maybe EDM to near threads in a few places then easy-out?

Posted: 3/13/2017 7:52:31 PM EDT

[#11]

It looks like it'll take more than a simple rebarrel for the King Cobra, the frame looks tweaked in the pic, I may be imagining it but it looks like it. Will the cylinder latch at all? Have you taken any measurements from the frames at all? It's also interesting that all three guns are stainless as well. I would think that the range would have these guns fixed if it were practical.

Posted: 3/19/2017 2:05:31 PM EDT

[#12]

I was able to fix the 686 with a "new" barrel, I have put close to 500 rounds of 38 special through it without issue. The old barrel actually came out pretty easy with a bolt and nut, just backing the bolt out after tightening the nut on the breach side of the barrel.

I sold the Colt King Cobra to a gunsmith as the frame was tweaked and it wasn't worth trying to fix . I was able to recoup my money so it worked out ok.

I am going to send the python out to a specialist soon. Hopefully the crack can be fixed. I don't plan on selling it so if it can be fixed enough for me to shoot light 38 special target loads then I will consider it a sucess.

Posted: 4/5/2017 12:06:29 AM EDT

[#13]

Sorry, just noticed that I missed your last post and that you fixed the S&W.

The 686 can be rebarreled and I rebarreled a few S&W revolvers when new barrels were about $110. I suspect that the guns will all have other issues but for the price of $50, they are worth the money in parts.

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