44 Mag with Split Barrel

[GregLaROCHE]

My son has an Interarms Virginian Dragoon. The barrel has a split developing and has asked me if it can be replaced. I don’t tinker with handguns, but I told him I thought so and that it would have to be done by a qualified gunsmith. He’s a carpenter by profession, but doesn’t have any experience with machine tools.

What is the availability of these barrels? Would it have to be custom made? Is it cost effective to do so? With the price of guns today, it might be worth repairing it when it wouldn’t have been before.

Thanks for all information and advice.

[M-Tecs]

If the frame isn't damage it can be replaced. They have not been in production for a long time. I don't know if the threads will match anything that is readily available. Depending on that it could vary from relatively cost effective to not worth the money.

[GregLaROCHE]

How much would it cost to have a stainless barrel made today? Are there people who specialize in making handgun barrels and have the CNC equipment for it?

[M-Tecs]

Do to the rarity of the gun and the age of the parts if it's not interchangeable Colt or the Colt Clones it will be a one off and CNC doesn't save money. Any of the known smiths are going to be plus $500 for a barrel they have to contour. Some a lot more. If you are by one of the Gunsmith Colleges that type of work can get done cheap as school project or machinist buddy might be willing to do it. If a screw in replacement barrel can be located the cost well be significantly less. Even on screw in replacement the cylinder gap may have to be set so that might require machine the barrel shoulder.

Some history on them

https://www.singleactions.com/VADragoons.pdf

[dtknowles]

You don't say where it is split. Is it the forcing cone? What length is the barrel? Could the split section be cut off and the barrel retreaded, have a new forcing cone cut and the barrel reinstalled with either a new tapped hole for the ejector or have the ejector shortened. Of course a new barrel could be fitted, either custom or factory. Paying a gunsmith to fix it probably will feel like a lot of money, you might be money ahead selling it to someone who could fix it for themselves.

Tim

[GregLaROCHE]

You can see the fine crack developing here.

[edp2k]

Is that a crack in the frame also?
by the middle finger?
the "squiggle line" on the frame looks like the squiggle line on the barrel ("crack")
by the base pin.

if the frame is cracked replacing the barrel is a waste of time.
spraying the suspected crack with brake cleaner may make the crack
more visible.

Supposedly the 44 mag Virginia dragoons were hell-for-stout guns,
so if this one is cracked I wonder what abuse it received.

gun parts corp/numeric may have a replacement barrel.
also check the other used gun parts sites, like jack first, etc.
search this sight for "used Winchester parts",
the same places that sell used Winchester parts may have parts for this gun.

also google around, there is at least 1 site that sells "parts kits" of guns,
that are basically the whole gun except the frame/receiver,
or the kit may come with a chopped frame/receiver.

I forgot the name of the site, something like "every-gun-part".
the gun had some connection with some police department
and when they have guns used in a crime or
confiscated that need to be "destroyed",
this guy buys the guns, disassembles them, chops up the receiver,
and sell the disassembled guns as a "kit".
that way the PD/town/city gets some revenue and the guy gets some sales,
and we get some parts.

be warned, his "kits" are not cheap.
if you need 1 part and can get it elsewhere you will be better off,
but if you cant find a part anywhere else and really need it, this is an option.

[GregLaROCHE]

I had it confirmed that is NOT a crack on the receiver.

It’s a five inch barrel.

That gun has a history. Someone gave it to me for a bar bill he couldn’t pay. I never used it much because I had a S&W 44mag, that I carried for bear protection. I never reloaded for it because I didn’t have those dies until later when I bought a Marlin in 44 mag. I finally sold it to someone and it may have changed hands a few times and my son ended up with it a few years ago. The crack is fine, so it may have been being shot, without it being known it was cracked. When my son got it, he put 20 rounds of factory ammunition through it and discovered the crack only afterwards when he was cleaning it.

[cwtebay]

I wonder if an older blackhawk barrel would work? I would guess that finding a differently branded (but workable) barrel won't be that tough. It would be interesting to see what the thread profile on it would be.

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[lar45]

I made a chart up many years ago with all of the info I could find on barrel threads.
I'm not sure where I have it saved or if it got transfered to my new PC. I posted it either here or AccurateReloading. trying to search for it. I think that someone else picked it up and added pistol threads. It may have migrated to other forums.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...st-info-needed
I did find this.

The Virginia Dragoon barrel measures:

Major dia .710
18 TPI
Tennon length .835
The very end of the tennon which is unthreaded measures .630 dia and .130 length

Ruger Blackhawk = .668" x 24 TPI

I know that the BFR has a larger barrel thread compared to the Ruger Blackhawk. I have a spare 50 cal BFR barrel around here somewhere, but couldn't find it in the safe.

[Skipper]

Greg, check with Bob's Gun Parts:
https://gun-parts.com/index.html/

They might have a replacement barrel.

[Larry Gibson]

Might consider, if an actual replacement barrel can't be found, the get a Ruger 7 1/2" barrel and have it shortened the 5 1/2" at the breach end then turned and threaded to fit the Dragoon frame.

[clintsfolly]

If I was in your shoes the first call I would make is to Jack Huntington 775-355-6898 and talk with him. His work is fabulous and priced very fair!

[idsubgun]

You say it traded hands before your son getting it. Could be someone ran some hot ammo through it, such as CorBon ammo or hot reloads. Being a Colt Peacemaker copy, they're aren't made to shoot hot ammo.
Or there could be barrel/forcing cone/cylinder alignment issues.

Personally I'd take it to a qualified gunsmith, and have it completely looked at before considering a barrel change. Any force great enough to crack a barrel could do damage to another part of the revolver. Maybe even have frame and cylinder MPI inspected.
Or it could be you just had a flawed barrel and rest of revolver is okay.
If everything is inspected and good-to-go, have it re-barreled. The gunsmith should check alignment of barrel, forcing cone, cylinder.

[Texas by God]

I believe those handguns were made by Hammerli. I shot a few back in the late 70s- all shot high( but well) and seemed to be of high quality. I would look for an original barrel first, then go with plan B or C. If the frame is ok- rebarrel that thing.

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[243winxb]

When the crack shows up in the forcing cone, then there is a problem. A crack on the outside of a cylinder would worry me. The cylinder is where the real pressure is.

Had a 357 early Colt trooper that split a forcing cone after a box of 50. When it split, who knows.

Seen 1970s vintage Taurus 357 crack a frame. Barrel became loose. This is the worst that can happen.

[M-Tecs]

I believe those handguns were made by Hammerli. I shot a few back in the late 70s- all shot high( but well) and seemed to be of high quality. I would look for an original barrel first, then go with plan B or C. If the frame is ok- rebarrel that thing.

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Anything made after 1976 was not made by Hammerli. https://www.singleactions.com/VADragoons.pdf

[GregLaROCHE]

The idea of getting a Ruger barrel and cutting it down to re-thread is interesting. What is the availability of Ruger barrels? How much would they cost?

[cwtebay]

The idea of getting a Ruger barrel and cutting it down to re-thread is interesting. What is the availability of Ruger barrels? How much would they cost?

I can't say at the moment, but I replaced one in 2019 with a barrel that I bought from e eBay. I just looked at my receipt, it was $46 delivered for a 5 1/2 inch 357 blued barrel.

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[lar45]

If you called your pistol Smith first, they may already have a takeoff barrel in hand.