What year did Pietta correct the Smith Carbine barrel problem?

[musketnut]

I was just curious if anyone could expand on what the correct rifling should be on a pietta smith? Should the muzzle end grooves be a few thousandths shallower than at the breech with the lands remaining consistent? EMF is now selling new ones for $1305 (when available) and an identifiable "bad" one could probably be purchased for a deal and then just be lined as suggested by Ron.

Also which other breech loading carbines have progressive depth rifling? I don't think maynards were made with progressive depth rifling.

[R. McAuley 3014V]

It had been my understanding that the barrels had been improperly heat treated such that the middle portion was softer than the two ends, such that when the barrels were broach rifled, the cutter cut deeper in the middle where the metal was softer. Like most breechloaders, the bullet get swaged as the move through the barrel such that the tightest point should be the muzzle. I had one of the bad barrels and first tried lapping the bore before deciding to have Hoyt reline it. Problem solved.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Interesting. I had always heard they were rifled backward with muzzle larger than breech. Thank you for the clarification. You can buy an original shooter for 1,400. can’t see buying the Pietta

[Randall]

Sounds like an original Smith in good shape is the way to go then. Plus you have something that with hold its value through the years if cared for.

[Lou Lou Lou]

I saw 5 original Smiths $1,200 or less at Nationals. Took the best one home.

[RaiderANV]

I.......Took the best one home.

Dern yankees.......

[Don Dixon]

It had been my understanding that the barrels had been improperly heat treated such that the middle portion was softer than the two ends, such that when the barrels were broach rifled, the cutter cut deeper in the middle where the metal was softer. Like most breechloaders, the bullet get swaged as the move through the barrel such that the tightest point should be the muzzle. I had one of the bad barrels and first tried lapping the bore before deciding to have Hoyt reline it. Problem solved.

I had two new Smith carbines from Navy. Both of them were larger at the muzzle than the breech. To the firm's credit, Navy accepted the return of both.

Regards,
Don Dixon
2881V

[george7542]

Lou I took home an original smith at nationals for far less the 1200 and she is a nice shooter

[RaiderANV]

I had two new Smith carbines from Navy. Both of them were larger at the muzzle than the breech. To the firm's credit, Navy accepted the return of both.

Regards,
Don Dixon
2881V

Val had a deal with Hoyt for a few years to just reline any that had the problem. Deal expired with Val.

[John Holland]

Val Forgett stood behind the improperly bored Smith Carbines by replacing any that were returned to Navy Arms. Val also brought a huge pile of the returns to his booth at Sutler's Row and sold them dirt cheap, with the caveat that they needed either to be relined, or have the barrel replaced. Many skirmishers took advantage of this deal because the pile disappeared very quickly. Val was always the businessman!