Removing shotgun barrel dents

[glshop20]

Is it possible to remove small dents from a shotgun barrel without going to a gunsmith?  Any common tools or materials that can be used?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks,  Walt

[trotterlg]

Only way I know of is a round steel ball just the size of the bore, driven down the bore to lift the dent.  Find one of those and buy a oak dowl and you are all set.  Larry

[gunnut69]

I would advise against the round steel ball. The force distribution is such that you may damage the barrel opposite the dent and finding a perfectly fitting ball would be very difficult.. The normal method is to turn a steel rod section to bore diameter and taper the ends. I thread a hole on one end and use another piece of drill rod as a handle. This is gently tapped against the inside of the dent while light hammer blows are used around the dent on the outside. Lubricate well with a high pressure lube and go slow!! The slug can be used as is but for greater life a mild heat treat is better. I prefer O1 tool steel for the slug. The taper allows the slug to be worked up under the dent to apply a bit of pressure so the hammer blows on the outside can return the metal to its rightful place. DO NOT USE HEAT! Altering the temper of the barrel is a very poor practice and most doubles won't stay together with any useful heat applied. Brownells sells an English built hydralic dent pusher that really works. The price is the only drawback..

[TNyoteboy]

That Brownells dent pusher will give you a heart attack when you see the price. I have a 1940 Remington model 11 that has a small dent. Not enough to affect anything, but I would like to remove it for asthetics.

[gunnut69]

A barrel slug is the normal way.. The dent pusher is a wonderful device but is really aimed at the professional shop, not the home gunsmith. I have seen plans for making ones own hydraulic pusher but haven't found them back??  Try the steel slug. They work very well and require only a bit of patience.

[Tom H.]

Gunnut is spot on.

Driving something past the dent will leave it there unless you use a light hammer to redistribute the metal while it is under stress.

That ball bearing idea will probably score the barrel as well.

The English dent raiser is used the same way as the turned rod.  Try to use that to simply "push the dent out" and you will more than likely end up with a bulge which can't be repaired.

Tom