Colt official police 32-20 barrel

[161]

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I'm in trouble I have a 5 inch colt 32-20 Official Police with a split barrel. I called Colt they don't work on them anymore. Can anybody tell me where to find a factory barrel? Or who would instaul a custom barrel?

Thanks

[Outpost75]

You may be able to find a barrel at Numrich. John Taylor or Grant Cunningham work on Colts.

[Rainier]

I've never dealt with these folks before but they are recommended by Colt for some work. If they can't help you they may know where to send you.

http://customshopinc.com

[Guesser]

I've had Glenn Custom in Phoenix repair 2 Colt double action revolvers for me in the last 6 months. Great service, great pricing and fast turn around. he answers emails in a timely fashion too.
I'm thinking, after thought, that a 32 Police or 32 N.P. barrel will work also. I have all three and the bore and twist is the same, but the markings would be "off".

[161]

The truth of the matter is, I ruined this gun. It was made I think in 1929. It went almost 90 years and I had to screw it up. I had shot it 12 times with Blackhills new ammo everything was great. I loaded it with a cylinder of my reloads that I loaded about our month after open heart surgery. I'm 52 years old and have never done something this stupid. I handed it to a guy who likes guns but isn't a big shooter. He's 6 foot 4 I'm 5 foot 7. I held my hands over my ears and watched the target. I'm not making excuses. I just didn't hear the squib because of the height difference and covering my ears. Then he stuffed the next 5 on top of the stuck bullet. It was all my fault I should never been messing with reloading that soon after open heart surgery. I think I'll see about a custom 6 inch barrel from the names you folks gave me. I still fell like throwing up over this deal
Thx

[rintinglen]

Call Numrich and ask nicely--they currently are sold out but they get stuff in all the time, and if you get lucky something may pop up.
The other chance is to go to ebay and register and create a couple of searches. In addition to (Colt 32-20 Barrel) Try some broader ones, "Colt parts" say, or "Colt gun parts." There are a lot of guns that are Destroyed by having their frames cut up, but the barrels and action parts are sold to defray costs.

[rintinglen]

Yet another thought is to get a 38 Special Barrel and have it relined. I have seen quite few Colt OP 38 barrels over the years, perhaps one will turn up for you and you can get it relined and put back on your Revolver.
Third and final thought is to buy a 38 cylinder and barrel and have them fitted to the frame. Be advised that unless you find a barrel for sale, you are looking at some pretty healthy spending. I bought my 32-20 Army Special a year and a half ago for 345 bucks. You may find it easier to replace the gun than to get it fixed. Besides, the walking at the gun show will do you good.

[Guesser]

Relining a 38 barrel is an option I had never considered, but why not? I've seen 73 and 92 Winchesters that had relined 32-20 barrels.

[161]

What's the difference between the army special and official police

[161]

I've had Glenn Custom in Phoenix repair 2 Colt double action revolvers for me in the last 6 months. Great service, great pricing and fast turn around. he answers emails in a timely fashion too.
I'm thinking, after thought, that a 32 Police or 32 N.P. barrel will work also. I have all three and the bore and twist is the same, but the markings would be "off".

What barrel length and price are we talking

[Guesser]

The difference in AS & OP is age. The AS became the OP in 1928

[bob208]

yes you can reline the barrel. I know a fellow that lined the barrel and cylinder of a well worn op. he made it a .25-20 just to be different.

[Drm50]

Is the damage such as you could save it by shortening the barrel? If the gun has no sentimental
value it would be cheaper to find another gun. I like 32/20s I have 3 S&Ws at present, it's a
common calibre in this area. I see a lot of parts guns for sale, they go for $150, Colt and S&W.

[161]

Thanks for all the help. The current barrel is split about midway and then back to the frame. I'm hopping the frame isn't ruined. If I find a barrel what are the chances the cylinder gap will be Correct? Who would be a good contact to reline a barrel if I find one?

[rintinglen]

The cylinder gap should be set by the Gunsmith doing the work. It may require some lathe work to face off the shoulder where the barrel meets with the frame to allow more protrusion into the cylinder well to allow the rear of the barrel forcing cone to be milled down to the correct length.

[Outpost75]

It is fairly standard when fitting a used barrel to set the barrel back a full thread, correct any end-shake in the cylinder and then face the barrel extension to properly set cylinder gap, and then recut and polish the forcing cone. In a new fit-up you want cylinder gap to pass 0.003" in a full cylinder rotation and hold 0.004" in which the cylinder will not rotate with rear gage in place and any endshake taken up by the 0.004" front gage. If you don't have headspace gages the cylinder can be fitted using empty brass and that is acceptable. Just perceptible endshake, about 0.001" is OK, but you don't want more than 0.002".

[161]

Thanks guys I've found a 38 barrel. When does a good job lining barrels?

[45workhorse]

Have you thought about Doug Turnbull? (Spelling?)

[161]

Have you thought about Doug Turnbull? (Spelling?)

He turned me down. Right or wrong I ordered this. If I can't make it work I'm not out much.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/588450.htm

[Dan Cash]

Thanks guys I've found a 38 barrel. When does a good job lining barrels?

John Taylor. He is a member of this board.