FINALLY someone to fix my H&R Model 649 (.22LR revolver).

[Phillip Gain]

The back story: I have this old H&R .22LR double action revolver that I bought for training students. It started misfiring one day. Turns out there is a small chip out of one of the teeth on the cylinder ratchet - VERY tiny, like the size of the point of a toothpick.

A thorough internet search revealed that no one has these cylinders in stock. H&R reincorporated in 2000, and does not support any firearms made before then.

So, off to my neighborhood gunsmiths. No luck there either. Every gunsmith I spoke to was concerned about distorting the cylinders, removing temper from the metal, or otherwise screwing up the gun with conventional gunsmithing methods.

I was nearly ready to get out the JB Weld and needle file set, when an associate pointed me to a place over in Worcester called Micro Arc Welding. I dropped by today. They showed me some of their work and I was AMAZED at what kind of welding capability they had.

They had a fun "display piece" that was 3 IV fluid needles PRECISELY welded together on their equipment, photos of work they had done on other antique guns, and photos of some contract work they did for Thompson Center Arms and H&K too.

I left my .22 with them, and was told I could expect it back by the weekend. I'll give you the conclusion of the story then.

 

[santa]

Questions. How old is the revolver? How long is the barrel? I know someone who MAY have one and I MIGHT be trading some tools for it.

 

[Phillip Gain]

I'm not sure of the age. Late 1970s / Early 1980s I think. It's new enough to have the transfer bar safety and firing pin not on the hammer. Barrel is 7.5 inches.

 

[santa]

Thanks. Its not the same gun. The gun that I was(past tense) thinking about doesnt have the transfer bar.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Ha - it COULD be the same gun...

H&R had an annoying habit of working with whatever parts they had on hand. So two of the same model pistol might have different hammers, or different cylinders, or whatever.

 

[Phillip Gain]

All right - quick update. I got the revolver back. They did a FANTASTIC job of welding up the cylinder ratchet teeth. (With their magnification equipment, they were able to spot some smaller nicks / wear and tear that was not obvious to the naked eye. VERY precise welding - you can't even tell! It looks more like normal wear from the hand contacting the ratchet.

I did a quick function check, cocking the hammer and checking to see if the cylinder locked. I cycled it twice around, and it appears to be locking up perfectly on all 6 chambers.

I didn't have time to range-test it yet...but will post results when I do. If all goes well, I'll post the company's info.

 

[hotti]

man, that is GREAT. Somebody has needed to offer such a Tig welding service on guns for decades now. Typical customers wont pay what it it worth, tho. Such build up and recut work sometimes takes hours, at $75 an hour or so, that gets pricey, real quick.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Hotti - you have a bad habit of trying to speak as if you are knowledgeable...when you clearly are not.

It cost me $50 to have the micro-welding done on my .22 revolver.

I'd appreciate it if you'd kindly stay off my threads here. I do not welcome your comments.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Belated update - I've had the revolver to the range several times, and it functions flawlessly.

So now, I can HIGHLY recommend the guys at Micro Arc Welding http://www.microarcwelding.com/ in Worcester, MA. They offer full gunsmithing services under the name Pullman Arms too.