Seth Bradford Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 I’ve had the desire to obtain a Uberti 1873 short rifle in 38-40 lately but finding one is like finding hens teeth, so… Just starting my research, I have a rifle in 45 Colt, how feasible would it be for a gunsmith to swap the barrel out for a 38-40? Barrels are available and looking at the parts list it looks like the bolt, carrier etc are all the same. Thanks for any advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 I drilled the barrel and installed a Redman liner in 38-40 in one of my rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 It is very feasible IF you can find a barrel. The fact that barrels may be on some supplier's website does not mean they have them in stock. What Yul suggested might be the better option if you cannot find a factory barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancho Roy Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 i did two 45LC to 38-40. bought 38-40 barrels from VTI in connecticut. the old ones screwed out with no issues. new ones screwed on, indexed properly and headspaced 100%......so easy to do in my case. no changes to magazine, lifter, bolt, etc..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Earp SASS#1628L Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 After reading this post I contacted VTI. They have 20" 38-40 barrels in Stock, no 24's though, which is what I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bob Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Did you check with Taylor’s ? They have always stocked a fair amount of parts . But with the plandemic you never know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene Slim SASS 81783 Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 I have a ‘73 .38-357 with a bulged barrel. Doesn’t affect accuracy, but it bugs me anyway. What’s a ballpark cost to sleeve it to the same caliber? Is that more cost effective than a new barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Creek,5759 Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 Call the Importer and see if they have a Barrel . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Bradford Posted November 17, 2021 Author Share Posted November 17, 2021 On 11/15/2021 at 8:45 AM, Rancho Roy said: i did two 45LC to 38-40. bought 38-40 barrels from VTI in connecticut. the old ones screwed out with no issues. new ones screwed on, indexed properly and headspaced 100%......so easy to do in my case. no changes to magazine, lifter, bolt, etc..... Roy, not that I had even thought of it or shot on a posse with you at the time but I would have picked your brain about this at the Heluva Rukas seeing you've already been down this road. I have a barrel coming from VTI, I hope mine goes as smooth as yours did!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rancho Roy Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Let me know if I can help in any way......Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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