.44 Project Gun?

[delta-419]

I have located an old .44 2nd model HE that has a lot of issues, one being that the barrel has so much holster wear that it is almost pointed (the S&W name on the left side is worn off except for the last letter). Frame and cylinder are good. No finish 0%. My question is how hard will it be to find a replacement barrel or one that will fit?

 

[delta-419]

I have located an old .44 2nd model HE that has a lot of issues, one being that the barrel has so much holster wear that it is almost pointed (the S&W name on the left side is worn off except for the last letter). Frame and cylinder are good. No finish 0%. My question is how hard will it be to find a replacement barrel or one that will fit?

 

[cgt4570]

If you just want a shooter, any pre or post war pinned N frame barrel will work. I put a model of 1950 target barrel on a 1917 frame. I just machined the target rib off so it had the right profile.
Chris

 

[Art Doc]

Projects always cost more than they are worth unless you get the gun for free or close to it, get the parts for free or close to it, and can do the work yourself.

Buy a barrel (if you can find one) for $125, pay a smith $125 to install it and refinish it at $300 with shipping and you have somewhere around $550 invested in a refinished gun with replacement parts. Now add whatever you paid for it to the total. Say you paid $300. That makes total cost $850.

Is a refinished 2nd Model 44 with replaced parts worth $850? That's for you to decide. It's your gun and your money.

It took me about 20 years of fooling with project guns to finally realize the financial folly of the notion. Better off to buy what you want in the first place.

But like I said, it's your gun and your money.

 

[Deacon KC]

And if you decide to pass, email me as I do projects like this.

 

[kritter]

get it, run an add in classifieds for a barrel, have someone swap the barrel for you, or do it yourself.. and you can get a servicable reblue if you do it yourself...i used a rust bluing method on this one( 6 inch i did next to 4 inch factory) and after 4 years it's still not looking too bad..

and if you have any questions feel free to e-mail and i'll try to help

 

[Raider]

Originally posted by kritter:
.. and you can get a servicable reblue if you do it yourself...i used a rust bluing method on this one( 6 inch i did next to 4 inch factory) and after 4 years it's still not looking too bad..

Kritter, you do a good rust blue. What kind of solution did you use to get that nice deep color?

Thanks!

 

[Jdomin]

why not keep the 44 as is and enjoy shooting it?

 

[Gun-runner]

Originally posted by Raider:

Originally posted by kritter:
.. and you can get a servicable reblue if you do it yourself...i used a rust bluing method on this one( 6 inch i did next to 4 inch factory) and after 4 years it's still not looking too bad..

Kritter, you do a good rust blue. What kind of solution did you use to get that nice deep color?

Thanks!

I'd like to know also. Thanks