Murdock
Member
A few months ago I had a squib load in my Brazilian M1917 while firing in rapid DA mode. So, just like Elmer Keith warned many years ago, if this happens it's not possible to stop in time to cancel the stroke on the next chamber.
I was shooting 5.0 grains of Bullseye under a 200 grain cast SWC. The squib had no powder, just a primer. (Turns out that the power measure in my old Lee progressive press was skipping now and then, with the powder disk not always sliding back into place). Anyway, felt recoil and the report of the second round was normal (at least through my muffs).
When I opened the gun to inspect it, I didn't immediately notice anything wrong. When I cleaned the gun I noticed that the patch wasn't sliding smoothly all the way through, and with no powder residue in the bore I could discern the ring. It appears to be immediately forward of the threaded area, essentially just at the location where the barrel abuts the frame. There is no visible change to the exterior of the barrel, nor can I feel a bulge. Accuracy is not affected.
Replacement barrels are very hard to locate. I have obtained a Brazilian barrel made during WW2 when it was apparently difficult for the Brazilians to get them from Smith as replacements for their 1937 contract guns. I just don't like it, although the quality seems excellent.
With much time, handwork and cogitation, I can fit a new 4" barrel for one of the "Classic" guns that have come out in recent years, but I would miss the look of the old gun's 5.5 inch barrel, and I don't care for the shape of the front sight on the one I located.
Should I just live with the the old barrel, and the constant reminder of my faux pas, or is there a safety issue of which I should be mindful which overrides other considerations and demands a barrel change?
Thanks for any insights you may choose to offer.
I was shooting 5.0 grains of Bullseye under a 200 grain cast SWC. The squib had no powder, just a primer. (Turns out that the power measure in my old Lee progressive press was skipping now and then, with the powder disk not always sliding back into place). Anyway, felt recoil and the report of the second round was normal (at least through my muffs).
When I opened the gun to inspect it, I didn't immediately notice anything wrong. When I cleaned the gun I noticed that the patch wasn't sliding smoothly all the way through, and with no powder residue in the bore I could discern the ring. It appears to be immediately forward of the threaded area, essentially just at the location where the barrel abuts the frame. There is no visible change to the exterior of the barrel, nor can I feel a bulge. Accuracy is not affected.
Replacement barrels are very hard to locate. I have obtained a Brazilian barrel made during WW2 when it was apparently difficult for the Brazilians to get them from Smith as replacements for their 1937 contract guns. I just don't like it, although the quality seems excellent.
With much time, handwork and cogitation, I can fit a new 4" barrel for one of the "Classic" guns that have come out in recent years, but I would miss the look of the old gun's 5.5 inch barrel, and I don't care for the shape of the front sight on the one I located.
Should I just live with the the old barrel, and the constant reminder of my faux pas, or is there a safety issue of which I should be mindful which overrides other considerations and demands a barrel change?
Thanks for any insights you may choose to offer.
