New (to me) 1911 - Crown Ruined?

[Parasite]

Just noticed this ding on the crown of a Kimber I bought. Because of it's particular shape, it was camoflauged very well. Even after finding it, it took me quite a while to get this at the right angle to photograph.

Is this damage to the crown significant?
Will this require a barrel replacement?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii277/Parasite1111/kbarrel3.jpg

Thanks!

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
It may effect grouping but any competent gunsmith 'should' be able to recut the crown and have it good as new.

[ETAC]

It appears that the metal folded away from the area where the groove, not the land, is located. The barrel can be salvaged by filing down the raised metal and re-crown the barrel. Be sure to inspect the enire inside of the barrel for any other damage.

[berkbw]

+1 for the Lady.

I've recrowned a few rifles in the long past, and it was easy. Your 'smith "should" be able to do it fast/cheap. If not - try someone else, eh?

b-

[John]

Even though it looks as if the metal is pushed out, a re-crowning job is adviseable.

[Parasite]

well, i thank everyone for their suggestions. the gun shoots well...as accurately as i can shoot, anyways. I never realized how cheap a recrown was (just called someone local, $25), so i may just have it performed for the sake of doing it. thanks again!

[Pappy]

You can re-crown yourself.

On a small bore rifle, I chuck up in a drill motor a brass round headed slotted screw/bolt with auto valve grinding compound.

Using a circular motion, proceed to work on the crown.

Now, finding a 1/2" bolt/screw head may be difficult...

[Iron bottom]

A toilet tank bolt in brass may be large enough and can be found in any building materials or plumbing supply outlet.

[Dave Berryhill]

Here's my take on this: You can do it yourself with a screw and a hand drill but paying $25 to have a (competent) gunsmith chuck your barrel in a lathe with less than .001 run-out and re-cut the crown perfectly perpendicular to the bore is a bargain. Nothing else, not even the piloted cutters that Brownells sells will give you that kind of precision.