Octagonal Barrels and Fore-ends

[Blackhawker]

I have an opportunity to purchase a pistol barrel with an octagonal barrel design.  Does an octagonal barrel require a special fore-end?  If so, does anyone know if T/C manufactures one in rynite (typical black synthetic stock) for an octagonal barrel or am I limited to a wood stock?

[Hopalong7]

Yes they require a separate forend.  No TC does not make nor never did make a synthetic.  Don't know of any wood (or otherwise) forends for octagon barrels being currently made.
Walt

[Blackhawker]

Thanks Walt, that's what I figured.  I guess I'll have to let that barrel go.

[DEACONLLB]

I have a contender with octogan barrel that some one has fitted a packmeyr black grip to and does not look bad. They used the short one screw barrel adaptor and it looks good. the only thing that I see different is that you would have to re drill and tap the forend barrel bar adaptor in order for the grip to fit perfect if you use the factory placement then the grip has a 1/4 inch gap but you do not see that unless you turn the gun upside down. something to look into and my gun shoots fine. The packmyer grips are hard rubber so they will give when fitting the barrel to the forend.
Deaconllb

[Hopalong7]

The old octagon barrel forends are not exactly plentiful, but they are not a rare item either.  I feel sure Ed's could get you one and E-bay still has them periodically.  Walt 
I wouldn't pass on the barrel just for that reason if it was one I really wanted.

[LONGTOM]

You can get A PACHMAYR grip and forearm as a set from SPORTSMAN'S GUIDE for $59.97 + shipping.
Part # HX8A-129155X if that # is still good.
I have about 22 of the old OCT barrels and this set up looks good on them.
As stated uou will need to use a hanger bar for the forearm.


LONGTOM

[tlyne]

At the last OK City gun show Ed's Contenders had a shoe box full  of wood Oct forends.

[Blackhawker]

Wow, thanks for the info everybody!  I think I'm gonna pass on the barrel though.  First off, my frame is stainless and I was going out on a limb looking at an old blued barrel.  I like good shooting guns but sometimes aesthetics wins out too.  I'll probably just wait until I find a stainless barrel rather than getting a blued one and having to modify things etc. 

If any of you are interested, the barrel I was looking at is a 45 Colt barrel, blued and octagonal.  Seller says it's in very good "like new" condition.  I'm not sure if I can say where the barrel is advertised though.....not sure if it's against the rules here. 

For now however, I suppose I'll keep searching for a stainless 45 Colt barrel, preferably a 10, 12, or 14 inch with sights and without the 410 option.

Thanks again everyone.

If anyone knows if it's OK to post the link of the sale of the barrel, let me know and I'll post it.  (sorry for holding back but I don't want to break any rules here.)

[Dezynco]

In my opinion, blued barrels look nice on stainless frames, but not the opposite.  Stainless barrels look a little funny (to me anyway) on a blue frame.  I wouldn't pass up on the barrel if I wanted it, the forearms are not too hard to come by, you'll just have to ask and look around.