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Post by marcruger on Mar 4, 2024 13:59:15 GMT -5
Hi Folks,
My buddy and I are trying to diagnose a barrel issue with a custom '50s Flattop 44 Blackhawk (OM obviously).
After 20 years of shooting, the barrel has suddenly loosened in the frame to the point that (with the ejector rod housing off) the front sight is canted right viewed from the muzzle to about 10 degrees off when barrel is hand tightened up against the frame. It was never loose before.
The barrel is an aftermarket Douglas. The loads shot through it have all been 240 lswc 44 Special loads 6.9 to 7.5 grains Unique. Should not be loads that stress out a 44 Magnum revolver at all.
Work was done by the late Bob Yurina of Virginia Beach VA. A respected gunsmith who worked on all of Doc O'Meara's Colts.
As an engineer, the only way it could loosen is for the barrel threaded portion to crack, or for the frame to have cracked. After cleaning inside and out, I do not see a crack in the barrel or frame. Used strong magnifier and bright LED lights.
What else could cause a barrel to suddenly loosen to the point that it needs another 10 degrees turn to get to hand tight?
I look forward to your answers or guesses. God Bless, Marc
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longoval
.327 Meteor
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Post by longoval on Mar 4, 2024 14:12:56 GMT -5
A simple dye pen test would be better than magnifier and light.
"Cap screws can only back out when sliding forces exceed clamping force" I would think this applies to the barrel in this situation as well.
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Post by magpouch on Mar 4, 2024 14:18:25 GMT -5
Well, perhaps it was never "tight". Perhaps it was lock-tited in place? Can you remove to inspect? No dis-respect intended mind you, its just a possibility...
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longoval
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Post by longoval on Mar 4, 2024 14:26:39 GMT -5
Well, perhaps it was never "tight". Almost certainly the case. |
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Post by leadhound on Mar 4, 2024 14:37:52 GMT -5
Wouldn't it still stop at the shoulder? Maybe it was bound up on one bad thread all these years?
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Post by flattopdan on Mar 4, 2024 15:05:35 GMT -5
I’d say worst case scenario is that the frame cracked. Is this the first time in 20 years the ejector rod housing has been off the gun? I’ve only removed the ejector rod housings on a couple of my revolvers one to replace an ejector rod and another time to clean following black powder use.
Can you post a picture of the gun?
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Post by northerngos on Mar 4, 2024 15:19:58 GMT -5
Could torque have done it? What direction is the twist?
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 4, 2024 15:20:21 GMT -5
Well, perhaps it was never "tight". Almost certainly the case. I'll go with this too. Probably was never cut right to start with. If threads were not right, it shook every time it was fired to make it worse. I've been told JB Weld is impossible to beat to correct this problem. |
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Post by marcruger on Mar 4, 2024 16:34:06 GMT -5
I really appreciate the thoughts folks. My buddy and I have studied it a bit further, and I think y'all are right. I don't think it ever was really tight. He noted that the frame threads look clean and sharp, but not the barrel threads. I can screw the barrel all the way to the last froghair before hitting the frame, and there is play. Once it hits the frame it stops moving. On close inspection, we can see some dark olive color in 1/2 of the barrel threads. Most likely some sort of thread locker. I hate jacklegged work.
This barrel is a Douglas, but I don't see that they make these any more. I recall someone like Brownell's offering them something like 20-25 years ago. What are the options? If I recall John Taffin's guns, a New Frontier .44 Special barrel could be fitted. Would this be a 2nd Gen NF or a 3rd Gen NF that has the same thread size as the Rugers? The existing Douglas is 4-5/8" and so there is no room to go shorter and rethread. Any ideas?
Many thanks, and God Bless, Marc
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Post by leadhound on Mar 4, 2024 16:35:17 GMT -5
I've been told JB Weld is impossible to beat to correct this problem. [/quote] OH LORDY! Hope that don't get out, we'll be seein all kinds of "New" customs gettin passed around! LOL! |
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Post by leadhound on Mar 4, 2024 16:37:49 GMT -5
More than a few Ruger 44 barrels laying around this place alone. Maybe even correct vintage. Still may have to be fitted.
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DutchV
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Post by DutchV on Mar 4, 2024 16:46:55 GMT -5
Is a shim out of the question?
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Post by magpouch on Mar 4, 2024 16:49:32 GMT -5
I'd certainly try a shim, and the highest strength thread locker I could find. Then I'd forget about it...  |
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Post by marcruger on Mar 4, 2024 17:53:59 GMT -5
When a correctly threaded barrel is being screwed into the frame, it is common for it to be able to wobble until it contacts the frame?
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Post by northerngos on Mar 4, 2024 18:21:17 GMT -5
Couldn’t it be machined at the threads and simply set back? Forcing cone recut? If the barrel is a keeper anyways.
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