How do you fix a bulged gun barrel?

Using proper fixtures, unscrew barrel from action Cut in half to prevent reuse and deposit in trash can. Install replacement barrel.

I'm not trying to be funny here either. Maybe, someone that really knows what they are doing, can repair a slightly bulged barrel. But I would never knowingly buy nor shoot a firearm with such a 'repair'.

If you insist on trying to repair a bulged barrel, for your family's sake, make sure your insurance has good coverage for ER visits, and that your life insurance is paid up...

Jon

I was just reading a book My son got me for Christmass about making gun barrels. It talked about removing bulges and rings. Procedure was (originally published about 1920) for an experienced barrel straightener to hammer the barrel on a vise to remover all the bulge, then ream to size.

CarlBoyd

How did you bulge the barrel???

Thanks, Rich

It all depends what caused the bulge. If it was faulty material then a replacement is a better bet than a repair. but i know how it is, a repair challenges ones ingenuity, If one can answer the 1st question safely, the id be inclined to sleeve over the bulged part.. Alot depends on the barrel thickness where it bulged and wether its tapered or parallel. Id need to see it to suggest something more specific. Interesting question tho. Ted In Dorset UK.

Just for me, I'd replace the barrel, or scrap the gun. YMMV.

Steve

Good advice, Jon. I couldn't have said it better myself. A bulged barrel will forever be weak in that spot and no amount of "fixing" will make it as good as the original.

Jim

I'm about as cheap as anyone, and have been known to spend totally stupid amounts of time fixing things 99.999% of the country would throw away. But there's a time and place to try and skimp. The risk of blowing off fingers, losing an eye or two or worse, far out weigh any savings on this one. IMHO...

Jon

Wait until there's one of those "gun exchange" programs in the nearest gang-infested ghetto or barrio, and give it to them for some kind of goodie (usually cash or food coupons) and let them melt it down.

Good Luck! Rich

I've seen some old books recommending various fixes for bulged shotgun barrels, I wouldn't do any of them except shortening. If it's near the muzzle, you can always shorten it unless it's below the legal limit. Anything else you should probably replace if it's bad enough or just keep using it if it's accurate enough after removing the stuck bullet. There's no way to reduce a bulge in a centerfire arm short of replacing the barrel or cutting out the bulge. You can shorten a revolver barrel, usually, semi-autos are easy enough to find replacement barrels for. Bolt actions are easy enough to rebarrel.

Best advice is to pay attention to the gun when shooting, if you shoot and something feels/sounds/smells odd or not normal, STOP. I had a blooper once while hunting, had a second round all chambered and ready to pull the trigger on a rabbit. Something told me not to, went back to the truck and poked a rod down the barrel. I retrieved the whole front section of the first shotshell, it had separated right ahead of the brass head and gone about half-way down the barrel. A second shot probably would have removed my fingers. I caught up with the rabbit afterwards. No blooper that time...

A bulge means the metal is stressed beyond the elastic limit, even if you manage to pound it back down, it'll be a weak spot.

If you stick a bullet, use a brass or bronze rod that fits the bore to push it out. I've seen folks recommending dowels to do the job, those will shatter and wedge the works even tighter, DAMHIK. Steel is likely to gouge the bore unless really closely fitted and polished, anything really undersized, ditto. Aluminum may work, may also bend if it's the usual hardware store bubblegum extrusion. A series of stuck bullets will usually have to be either drilled or drilled and pulled, usual method is a steel tube to line the barrel and then a close-fitting drill with extension brazed on, if needed. Pounding on jacketed bullets will just wedge them tighter. Best thing is to drill and then use a ball-puller.

Stan

What sort of fool would a person have to be to end up with FIVE rounds jammed in a barrell?

One that can't spell? ;-)

The usual technique was, if the bulge was far enough up the barrel, just cut the barrel off and install a new sight, or adjustable choke, as the case might be.

If not, just remove barrel and replace.

I never met a competent gunsmith that recommended attempting to repair a bulge. A dented shotgun barrel, yes. But not a bulge.

Cheers,

John D. Slocomb (jdslocombatgmail)

One in a hurry and not paying attention to business. Think it was Hatcher that had a picture of a 1917 Colt barrel sectioned with 6 FMJ bullets stuck in it in one of his books. Nothing nasty happened to the shooter, just no holes in the target.

Here's one with the full Fudd treatment:

Stan

I wonder why the barrel split in a flower like form, instead of in some other form or disintegrating.

Just an ordinary one, in other words. Sheesh......

A once in a lifetime event, no doubt. LOL Don't try this at home kids.

"John R. Carroll" wrote in news:StWdnb snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

Maybe once in a lifetime per shooter...

I was shooting on the bench next to a guy who pulled the same trick (with the same result) on an expensive custom match grade barrel. The boresighter only flew about 20 feet, but it was a .22 caliber centerfire rifle instead of a 30-06.

I was shooting & not paying a lot of attention to the guy next to me until I heard an unusually loud BOOM. He wasn't a newbie either. He's probably one of the most active & most senior competitive centerfire rifle shooters at our club.

Doug White

I remember seeing an x-ray of a revolver with several bullets stuck in the barrel. It must have been a heated gunfight.

John

It probably split along the lines of the rifling, which would have produced stress risers under that serious overpressure down at the skinny end of the barrel.

Enjoy, DoN.