40 inch swamped barrel?

[Torfinn]

Well it has been a long time.  I see there is a new board.  (that's why it said my user name did not exist, hahaha).  Well a lot has happened in the last 2-3 years.  got divorced, lost house and moved.  Methuselah will now never be finished because some of the parts were lost in move.  Crushed the nerves in both hands.  Then I guess that was not enough so crushed to index finger on the left hand for good measure.     After much time healing I am now able to straighten most of my fingers again.  So I un-crated my old Lancaster and was once again bitten with the bug to build a rifle again.  I have some parts and will make the first with a straight barrel just to get my fingers wet, so to speak.  Once I have the shop set up. 

But not being 6 ft. tall I find that a 42 inch barrel with a 14" pull is a tiny bit awkward for me.  I did not know that when I bought the Lancaster.  Shortening the pull to 13 & 1/4" is simple enough as is cutting and recrowning a straight octagon barrel.  I do not want to go to a 38" barrell as I do not find that aesthetically pleasing.  personal preference I guess. 

So my question is; does anybody make 40" swamped barrels? 

Thanks in advance. 

[C Wallingford]

You have a priveate message.

[elk killer]

most barrel makers have a standard lenght,,38 42 or 44..some longer..i shoot a .40 swamped 44 inch Rice barrel and simply love it..
i guess if you really wanted a 40 inch,,,your could shorten it a couple of inches,,maybe best to do it from the breach end..

[George F.]

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes, as they say "_ _ _ _ happens. "  Good that your back to using your hands though. Rice makes a Reading barrel at about 40" ...Geo.

[Torfinn]

Misfortunes, misfortunes, everybody has them at one time or another to a greater or lesser extent.  Probly should not have posted that way but mostly posted as reason (or excuse, hehehee) why I haven't posted in so long.  Actually get along with the ex better than when married,  Go figure.      Have learned a lot from these experiences.  However I do not recommend crushing the nerves in your hands as a learning experience.   It has been 2 years and I think the hands have healed as much as they are going to,  By and large I think I have full use since I do not have to straighten my fingers to hold tools.  Just be careful what you do folks.  Don't take chances with your hands.  I got lucky.  You might not be.

Thanks for the tip on the Rice Barrels,  I will take a look at his website. 

[Mike R]

I can understand the 14"pull being too long, but I am not sure that barrel lengths of 42 or even 44 is too much--I am short by any measure [5'4"] and own and use several rifles with 42-44" barrels.  The only handicap I have is seeing the top of the 44" barrels to load! [I tilt them].  However, each to his own and if you just want a shorter barrel that is fine ['short' is no excuse  ]

[Torfinn]

It is a matter of preference.  Based on experience.   And I would not have given it much thought had I not also handled and used broadswords,  With a broadsword that is too long for you,  you can throw out your arm on a regular basis.  But get one that is the right length and you can swing it all day long and hit hard and accuratly with it,  Now I know that you generally do not swing rifles around much ( unless you are out of ammunition at the Alamo ), so the perfect balance of a rifle is not critical.  But it sure is nice to have a rifle that balances well and feels right in your hands.  That rifle is going to be different for everyone.   

[Mike R]

It is a matter of preference.  Based on experience.   And I would not have given it much thought had I not also handled and used broadswords,  With a broadsword that is too long for you,  you can throw out your arm on a regular basis.  But get one that is the right length and you can swing it all day long and hit hard and accuratly with it,  Now I know that you generally do not swing rifles around much ( unless you are out of ammunition at the Alamo ), so the perfect balance of a rifle is not critical.  But it sure is nice to have a rifle that balances well and feels right in your hands.  That rifle is going to be different for everyone.   

I agree with the balance and 'feels right' comments.  Good balance can be acheived with just about any reasonable barrel length. I have a 42" barreled rifle that is much more muzzle heavy than either of my 44" ones.  I once had a heavy barreled Hawken that was more awkward with its 36" barrel than any of my longrifles.  Barrel length/wgt is just one part of the puzzle. I am not against short guns--my .32 squirrel rifle is only 36" in barrel and I own a 36" Hawken [lighter than my old clunker].  I have handled some 38" bbl "longrifles" that felt good, too.  Don't see why you couldn't make a fine rifle with a 40" barrel--its only 2 " off "standard" length.

[sz]

I had a customer request a 40" swamped .40 cal from me a while ago, so I took a 42" barrel and cut 1" off each end.  Re-crown the muzzle and re-thread the breach and your good to go.

[Brian]

I don't know what "make" of barrel you prefer, but I would think most of the better known barrel manufacturers would supply you with a custom length if you wanted.  Be pretty easy for them to cut something off either end (or both ends) before they finished the muzzle and put the plug in.