So, tomorrow we ruin the barrel. We left our barrels at the classroom. The instructor is to weld on them this week, adding metal to the underlug and chamber hood. We will then spend time shaping these areas to better fit them. In theory.
But, under the watchful eye of the Smith, we students don't get into too much trouble we can't, with coaching, then get out of. I'd be a halfway decent pistol smith, even be able to make a living at it, as long as I always had him sitting on my shoulder.
If I wanted to go it alone... I'd need 100 more pistol builds under my belt. And I'd need a bunch more machinist skills I don't have. Like welding. I don't know thing one about that. So, welding, and a few things like a small machinist lathe, and how to work that. For things like turning the bushing and cutting dovetails on slides. You know, the basics.
See, now that scares me. Welding at the top and the bottom of the chamber area, in front of the rifling. Unless the barrel is heat treated afterwards, I'd be afraid of cracking from heat induced stress and, even more so, embrittlement from the weld itself and from hydrogen.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he knows what he is doing, but I'd be afraid to fire the gun after that.
No embrittlement from the welding, if done correctly. Should be TIG. (tungsten inert gas)
ReplyDeleteCommon to be welded, especially the hood. Look on the chamber side of that hood for evidence of weld, especially on Colts from the late 80's and early 90's.
That hood is not a high stress area, normally. Mostly for tighter lockup and timing issues. Too short, and it unlocks too soon, which batters the action, and also causes incredibly poor accuracy. It can look like a shotgun pattern on the target.