Author Topic: Making a pistol barrel a rifle barrel (Read 1474 times)

jackpine · « **on:** November 21, 2012, 02:56:00 PM »

I posted previously and when I went to look for possible replies, I realized I had posted in the Optics section, so thought I would try it in the correct forum. Got a couple replies there about the extention but nothing re the 357 mag accuracy in 357 Maximum chamber. Any input would be appreciated. I have been a member of this board for many years and have found a lot of great info, but don't think I have ever posted. I have gained a great deal of knowledge by simply searching, but in this case, came up with nothing, so thought I would ask.
I have developed the "need" to own a light rifle in 357. Want it primarily for my grandson, but would also just like to play with one. Was going to order a H&R barrel, but found out that they charge additional for fitting and by the time I pay shipping both ways, I had in excess of $175 in it. I own several H&Rs and think they are a neat little gun for the money, but my experience is that a Contender is generally quite a bit more accurate. I got hooked on Contenders when I shot handgun silhouette from the late 70s thru the 80s and aquired quite a few frames and a pile of barrels, most of which now languish in the safe, but barrels occasionally seem to follow me home and get added to the list of things I will "play" with someday.
Anyway, I came upon a 14" 357 Maximum barrel. I have a 10 inch Maxi and a couple of Ruger SBH in that caliber, so I have brass and dies already. I am thinking of having my gunsmith add a 2 1/2 inch long barrel extention. The extention would have a bore larger than 357. He would thread it on and permantly fix it by welding a blind pin, which would make it a legal rifle barrel. I cannot find anything about anyone ever doing this. Does anyone have any experience with a project like this, or have any experience that would be at all similar.
Also, I am wondering about anyones experience shooting 357 mag in a 357 Maximum barrel. I bought my first Maxi, a Ruger, when they first came out, and I think it was at least a month before I could get my hands on Maxi brass or ammo for it, so I worked up some fairly hot loads in 357 magnum. It was a long time ago, but I recall that the accuracy was not all that bad. I got the Contender barrel later, did not shoot it much, and don't remember ever shooting 357 mag in it.
Did not mean for this to get so long. Any info anyone can offer will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jackpine

Cemo · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2012, 03:04:45 AM »

I shoot .38's and .357's in my Max. and they group very well. But I don't shoot them often, as the Max is rightfully a 100 yard shooter and does it very well (much more fun). I've often thought of having one in a rifle format too. A .35 caliber bullet at 2000+ fps would be excellent for deer hunting in the woods or a small field. With 158 Gr. bullets over W296 powder I get 1800+ fps over the crony. My ole .35 Remy never let deer get away.

jedman · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2012, 04:53:15 AM »

jackpine, That would be quite easy to do, I have done similar modifications before.
I would turn a section of the muzzle about 5/8" to 3/4" long to have a slip fit to the muzzle extention and soft solder it on, just like soldering plumbing fittings. I did almost the same thing on a Ruger .44 mag carbine and it shoots fine .
Jedman

jackpine · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2012, 10:39:23 AM »

Jedman,
Just curious. Was it a muzzle brake or just a barrel extention that you added to the carbine. If it was a muzzel extention, what wast eh purpose?
Jackpine

jedman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2012, 03:15:56 AM »

jackpine, Yes it was a homemade muzzle brake, When I bought the Ruger Carbine someone had cut the barrel and it was barely legal length and looked bad. I made the brake and soldered it on as described. Heres a pic. Jedman

jackpine · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2012, 04:30:49 AM »

Thanks for the pic Jedman,
Is it pretty much cosmetic, or does it make much difference in recoil? How about soudn?
Jackpine

Da-Law-Dawg · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2012, 05:39:32 AM »

Choate used to make an extension for the 'Tender barrels some time ago. Occasionally, I've seen them come up for sale. After affixing it to the barrel, it made the 14" barrels ATF compliant to run as a rifle.

carlsflh · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2012, 06:15:04 AM »

a buddy did that to a 223 barrel and ended up welding it on as the dept. of wildlife told him that pinning or soldering the extension was not considered permant[he also carrys a letter from the state stating that the barrel is legal] so you might want to contact your state wildlife or game dept.to be safe some game wardens can be picky

jedman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2012, 06:35:45 AM »

jackpine, I did the " fake brake " about 25 + years ago and my memory aint worth a damn anymore but at the time I thought it worked to reduce recoil but a 44 mag isnt to bad anyway. The sound ? I cant really tell, I always wear ear protection when shooting as I lost a good bit of hearing from shooting handguns without ear protection when I was young and dumb. As for your intended project, If its a round barrel I would just make the extension the same OD as the muzzle and the bore thru the extension about a 1/32 over caliber and if you install it straight with the bore it shouldnt change the way it shoots.
Jedman

tigerbight · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2012, 08:40:58 PM »

Here is a 14" 6.5 jdj ssk that a smith made a permenant extention to make it a 16 1/4 super 16 barrel.

jackpine · « **Reply #10 on:** November 24, 2012, 04:22:40 AM »

Tigerbight,
Thanks for the pics. That is exactly what my smith says I will end up with.
Is the extention threaded on or ? How much over bore size is the extention. Did the extention have any effect on accuracy.

Thanks again,
Jackpine

KYODE · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2012, 04:41:56 AM »

sorry

, but it is my opinion that it is stupid to screw up a good 14" handgun barrel, when you can just sell the 14"er n go buy a rifle length barrel or have one made custom.
the SSK barrel does look like it was done right, although i'd guess it took all SSK value away.

jackpine · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2012, 07:31:25 AM »

This is why I seldom post on forums. Someone posts a very specific question and there always seems to be someone who just has to post an opinion or answer to a question that was not asked.
I don't know why Tigerebight had this barrel done or if just bought it the way it is, and I don't care. I do appreciate the fact that he took the time to reply to one of my specific questions.
If I could easily find a heavy 16 inch barrel in 357 Max for under $175, I would gladly buy it. So far, I have not found one and so I asked if anyone had any EXPERIENCE that they would share, and I appreciate those that were willing to share theirs.
There, I have vented, thanks,
Jackpine

Lon371 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2012, 08:01:08 AM »

Jackpine,
I appreciate you asking. I am also in the same thought process. I know a shop that will make a brake or barrel extension to make them a 16 inch barrel. Was thinking that way if I was so inclined to make it rifle for deer then it would be legal. I really get tired of carrying this hog leg under my arm pit waiting for a close shot.

Lonny

KYODE · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2012, 10:21:05 AM »

since when has it become a bad bad thing to post an opinion on a forum?

they sure have helped a lot of people over the years.
i apologize for entering this thread. i shoulda known better. i hardly post as much as i used to because of all the experts out there these days.

i DO NOT apologize for sharing an opinion of ruining a good barrel. i've seen some that were really destroyed by adding "junk" on the end of it.
.....n i think i'll just bite my tongue on the smart aleck purist remark. i really don't care what you do or how you do it. put it in a barrel stretcher n good luck....lol.

tigerbight · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2012, 11:06:02 AM »

Jackpine,
It shoot as fine as it ever has sub moa. The thread were added to the end, and the extention was added. Smith did it for 75.00 it's light a dream to carry. I have gotton out of shooting the contender pistol and moved to carbines. I'm not worried about value or resale it is one of my favorite shooters and my children enjoy shooting it as well.

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2012, 12:59:11 PM »

This forum is for the exchange of opinions. If you are not able to handle the opinions you get maybe you should not post. Jackpine, you are on the edge of bad conduct on this forum. Read the rules and conform or don't post.

jackpine · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2012, 02:19:49 PM »

Keith,
I started a post and asked for input from people with experience on a couple of issues. Someone is kind enough to give me an answer. Someone else then posts and refers to either the idea in my original post as stupid or or the ideas of the person who responded with his experience as stupid and goes onto to say someones gunsmithing work as "junk." and that gunsmithing ruined a firearm. I defended the person with the experience and give my opinion in a single sentence on how I am frustrated that someone would insult someone who gives a helpful response. I then go on to thank the person who, based on his experience gave me a helpful response, I did not call anyone any names, use profanity, flame anyone or even respond when the person came back a second time.
Guess I need a little help in understanding some things here and ask that you help me out.
Thanks for your help,
Jackpine

Keith L · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2012, 02:32:48 PM »

"As to the smart aleck replies from purest that offer no substance to the conversation. Well they seem to forget, not everyone has their wad of cash laying about to go buy a new barrel at the drop of a hat. ::)

"

That seems to me to be what started it. In the future please let unwanted opinions go. You may get all kinds of advice from a public board. You have to be adult enough to sort out what you want and ignore the rest.

Lon371 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2012, 02:56:01 PM »

Kieth that was me. The OP asked a legit question and then was told it was

Quote

stupid to screw up a good 14" handgun barrel

Then I said the other dumb things you quoted. I appoligize for the way I said it.

Jackpine I am sorry for bringing heat to your topic. Good luck with your project

Lonny

Keith L · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2012, 05:55:49 PM »

Sorry jackpine. Wrong guy. Lets keep it polite.

jackpine · « **Reply #21 on:** November 26, 2012, 05:21:01 AM »

Lonny,

You are a "standup" guy. Thanks,

Now that is over with. Does anyone else have any good experiences or ideas for me?

Just an FYI for anyone else who is dealing with a 357 Max, or thining of converting a 357 mag to Maxi, I had got some input form a fellow who had converted a couple of H&R Handi rifles from mag to Max. He said he got the same exceptional accuracy on both 38 Special and 357 mag after he lengthened the chamber as before.

Thanks,
Jackpine

dalestyer · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2012, 09:54:02 AM »

JackPine

I'm brand new to this forum but have been shooting a contender with super 14 in 35 Rem for years. Very accurate but kinda pounded my aging and large jointed fingers. A year or so ago, they made rifle hunting legal where I hunt in NW Wisconsin - was only shotgun and pistol before which was the orginal reason I got the contender. Early this last fall I found a gunsmith who would do an extension - which I immediately jumped at and got it back it time for this last season. This little rifle is fantastic. I shot a nice doe at 65 yards freehand - something I would never consider with the pistol. The total cost with shipping was $150 which incuded the extension and recrowning the barrel. The extension is threaded on and pinned.

Good Luck,
Dale

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2012, 10:49:08 AM »

I had been planning on doing the same thing to a encore 308 barrel to make a short light rifle for my son but found a rifle length barrel cheap so cut that down instead.

It's really no harder than doing any muzzle break as long as you pin it on to make it permanent. This 10 guage handi had been fired with ice in the barrel and in order to save the barrel it had to be cut down to shorter than 18". My buddy built a custom break for it and pistol grip. More a conversation piece than anything else but very effective at close rang. He calls it his "zombie" gun.

With a load of 3.5" BBB it would sure clear a room!