44 Special barrel

[22shtur]

A fellow is selling a 44 HE with a pitted barrel. The pitting is at the beginning of the rifleing just in front of the forcing cone.

1. Is the pitting an absolute for bad accuracy, or do I have a chance of finding acceptable accuracy at the range at 25 yards?
2. How difficult to find a replacement 4 inch barrel for a 44 spl?

 

[STCM(SW)]

I would shoot it first and see how it is.
Why replace something till you know it is a problem.....

 

[robertrwalsh]

I used to have a Luger with a very dark and somewhat pitted bore that shot pretty darn good considering the service sights. It is completely possible the accuracy will not be degraded at all by some minor pitting at the forcing cone end of the tube. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[StrawHat]

I agree with the thought "if it isn't broken…". It depends on what your expectations are. My competition revolvers are held to a different standard than my hunting revolvers or my self defense revolvers. Not saying any of them are not accurate, just different definitions of the phrase.

Kevin

 

[stansdds]

Only one way to find out, take it to the range and test it. I would suspect that the pitting will foul with lead faster than a pristine barrel, especially with soft, swaged lead bullets.

 

[nedlate]

A fellow is selling a 44 HE with a pitted barrel.

I do believe 22shtur is trying to figure out if he should buy this gun.

I would use the pitting as a bargaining tool to buy it knowing you might not be able to get a new barrel.

And then go shoot it and be delighted if it shoots well!

Sorry I am not much help on the availability of the barrel. You are probably talking a prewar gun?

I would guess 25 yard accuracy will not be affected.

Ed

 

[22shtur]

Yes, I am trying to determine if I should buy it knowing a problem could already exist. If replacement barrels are not available, I am not keen on getting it.

 

[Hondo44]

One can find almost anything if hey look long enough, but long enough might be years. But hard/impossible to say, since you haven't posted the vintage or model 44 HE.

A 4" barrel for a 44 HE Triple Lock could take a lifetime and you might not be able to afford one if you did find it. Four inch barrels for .44s are hard to find anyway especially for any of the pre war 44 models.

I have not seen pitting affect accuracy unless the barrel is just a sewer pipe. If you can't have the opportunity to test fire it, then I'd only get it if the price was very good. Then if not happy with the accuracy, you could resell it to someone less concerned about the accuracy for the same very good price. Personally, although I've changed many barrels, I would avoid the hassle of trying to find a better barrel.

 

[StrawHat]

I agree with much of what has been said but it still depends on what purpose it will fill for you.

Kevin