New one for me: Cracked Barrel

Niederlander · December 21, 2021, 05:43:45 PM

Gentlemen, I put twenty rounds through my Uberti 1860 Army with a gated conversion today. When I pulled it apart and cleaned it, I noticed a crack about 5/8" long between the bore and the arbor hole. Any of you guys ever had that happen? To be clear, this pistol has NEVER seen a round over minimum smokeless loads. Looks like I need a new barrel!

Professor Marvel · December 21, 2021, 06:04:53 PM

My Good Niederlander...

How old is that Uberti?
I am assuming .45 Colt ?
Is it the factory made or aftermarket conversion ?

I vaguely remember"old " Uberti .45 Colt conversions having problems with
Cracks in the forcing cone where it is thin...

I will wander off and check my notes

Yhs
Prf mumbles

Niederlander · December 21, 2021, 06:16:21 PM

From what I can see it's a 1991 production. I knew I'd had it for quite a while. By the way, it's a Kirst Konverter (gated).

Anyone got an Uberti barrel sitting in the parts drawer, looking for a home?

DeaconKC · December 21, 2021, 06:21:59 PM

No help on the barrel, just glad you are okay!

45 Dragoon · December 21, 2021, 06:24:06 PM

I have a late 90's barrel that might fit the bill. Let me know where to send it.

Mike

Niederlander · December 21, 2021, 06:43:02 PM

Dragoon, I PM'd you. Is it the regular 8" barrel?

Johnson Barr · December 21, 2021, 06:43:28 PM

So, the crack is between and the lower portion of the barrel rifling ahead of the forcing cone and upper edge of the arbor hole? A puzzle. Bullet diameter and charge? Hmmm...did you ever adjust the arbor length to frame alignment?

Niederlander · December 21, 2021, 06:59:23 PM

Yes, sir, that's where the crack is. Never adjusted the arbor on that one, although it wasn't off by much. I'll definitely adjust it when I get a new barrel! Bullet diameter is .451, running probably around 650 fps, if I remember correctly.

Abilene · December 21, 2021, 09:51:06 PM

I know what Professor Marvel is talking about with the .44 and .45 barrels that split at the bottom of the "forcing cone" area. But I have never seen nor heard of a barrel cracking above the arbor hole like that. True, percussion barrels are not made of the same steel as cartridge guns, but still...

Can you post a pic?

45 Dragoon · December 21, 2021, 10:16:12 PM

Niederlander, yes it's the 8" barrel.

Mike

Coffinmaker · December 22, 2021, 08:27:45 AM

Niederlander

Unfortunately, yes, I have seen several .45s that cracked at the forcing cone. Cracks ran thru the forcing cone to the arbor hole. The barrels I ran into were some years ago and were Open Top barrels. NONE were shot with anything other than CAS level loads.

Also unfortunately, I don't have a spare barrel. Looks like Dragoon does though and I would definitely snag his barrel.

And. I would certainly strongly suggest correcting the Barrel to Arbor fit BEFORE you put the new barrel into service!!

Play Safe Out There

Niederlander · December 22, 2021, 09:34:28 AM

Yes, it will most definitely get adjusted before it gets shot again.

Cap'n Redneck · December 22, 2021, 02:12:41 PM

A guy in my club had the barrel of his replica .44 cap-and-ball Remington New Model Army in stainless steel split longitudinally for about 4 inches in the middle of the barrel. ("Instant ported barrel"...!)
This happened some 15 years ago during a regular 25 yard target match.
I do not recall whether this gun was an Uberti or a Pietta...
I believe the local importer managed to get him a replacement barrel after a while.
Mind this happened with a target load of 3Fg and a round ball. No indication that the cause was a squib stuck in the barrel or a "blackpowder overload"...
Our conclusion was metal fatigue / metalurgic flaw.