I have a 19-5 with 2 1/2" barrel. The last 1" of the barrel towards the muzzle has some light pitting. It was a very cheap pick up due to condition but has become a favorite of mine to shoot. The accuracy is actually pretty fair despite the condition of the bore- but the pitting bothers me anyway. Will fire lapping the barrel help work any of the pitting out? Any other ideas short of a new barrel?

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Andy

I have a 19-5 with 2 1/2" barrel. The last 1" of the barrel towards the muzzle has some light pitting. It was a very cheap pick up due to condition but has become a favorite of mine to shoot. The accuracy is actually pretty fair despite the condition of the bore- but the pitting bothers me anyway. Will fire lapping the barrel help work any of the pitting out? Any other ideas short of a new barrel?

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Andy

Firelapping will not remove the pitting unless done to extreme. Mild firelapping (400 grit and few rounds) will help smooth it and may help accuracy and help limit lead or jacket material builup.

since you said the gun came cheap, i would look for another barrel.

I'd thought about looking for a barrel but there are some additional finish issues with the gun. Most of the bluing is gone and there's some light pitting on one side. Mechanically the gun functions flawlessly- I've shot over 1000 rounds through it in the few months that I've owned it- it just looks like a beater. This is a project/practice gun for me. I've purchased a Kuhnhausen Shop Manual and I'm going to disassemble, clean and re-assemble the gun just so I know how to do it. At some point I may try to replace the barrel but right now funds are tight. I'll see if I can improve it with firelapping and go from there.

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Andy

Go gently, 400 grit, you're smoothing not trying to remove the pitting.

You say that the accuracy is pretty good and it is just a beater so why not just leave it the ways it is and enjoy shooting it? You say it has some pits in the end of the barrel which I surmise are in the groves, what will happen to the lands when you start with 400 grit paper.

I cannot think of anything that will remove pitting in the bore other than a replacement. If the accuracy is acceptable - and you are talking about a short barrel magnum - why not just keep shooting it? There is a good possibility that you won't see any difference in accuracy even if you replace the barrel. If the looks bother you, send it to the factory for a refinish when you feel you can afford it.

Thanks for the tip tomcatt51. I'll start with the 400 grit.

I realize this isn't a "fix". Just trying to make it a little easier to clean and make the pitting a little less obvious to the eye. Any potential accuracy gain is just a bonus. I'm definitely going to continue to enjoy shooting it regardless of the results of the firelapping.

Thanks for the feedback.

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Andy

Heck, I'm ALWAYS looking for a gun in this condition.

Throw it in the tractor, or whatever, and not worry about it.

If it functions 100%, and shoots straight, what's not to like ?

Want to sell it ?

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NRA Instructor

+1

Took the words right out of my brain..... why screw with the barrel on a gun that has good accuracy?

Thanks for the offer JohnK but the gun has found home. I'm definitely keeping it.

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Andy