Barrel lugs for round barrels

[bob hertrich]

I am building a pistol with a oct/round barrel. I purchased a round barrel lug from MLBS. It just seems to be rather thick. After soldering do you file it down? If so how much? Is there a better way to attach a lug to a round barrel?

[M.D.H.]

Bob,
The best thing to do is to slightly curve a flat bottom underlug.  Place it in the vice so the ends are about 1/2 way over the vise edges.  Then place a big drill bit end on the underlug and strike it once with a hammer.  This should bend the ends just enough to follow the radius of the barrel. 
Been doing this for a while and it is a whole lot better then the ones your trying to use.
M

[Eric Krewson]

Wrap some sand paper around your barrel where you plan to install the lug and sand your lug thinner with the same curve as the barrel.

[David Rase]

I dovetail all my lugs, round or octagon.  Find the bottom center of the barrel and then file a shallow .030 dove tail.  Install the lug, hit it with a little silver bearing solder and then file the lug flush with the barrel contour.  The lugs on  the Brown Bess were dovetailed and brazed.
DMR

[Swampwalker]

Bob, once your lug is attached to the barrel, it can be filed down to 1/32 or less - it doesn't need much thickness to do it's job.

[northmn]

For round barrel fowlers I make my own lugs out of thinner sheet metal, usually brass.  You ben it over to form a T, then file it even thinner and then put the bend in it.  Sometimes making this stuff is easier than using the bought stuff.  I have soldered thm on with 50/50 solder with excellent results adn use a silver solder with a higher melting point to form the lug but have also just used the regular solder as it resets.

DP

[bob hertrich]

Thanks, guys. A lot of good advice. I just have to pick one and get going.